Windows 10 update causing endless reboots for some users

By Gabe Carey August 11, 2015

windows 10 update causing endless reboots shutterstock 289448927 — g-stockstudio/Shutterstock

A recent Windows 10 upgrade is causing déjà vu for some PC users, as it’s reportedly forcing the operating system into an endless series of crashes and reboots, according to The Telegraph.

Dubbed KB3081424, the update that Microsoft initially rolled out last week was supposed to “enhance the functionality of Windows 10.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case since, for some users, the update doesn’t even complete. Instead, after reaching a certain percentage, a message is prompted that says, “We couldn’t complete the updates, undoing the changes”.

Related Videos

As a result, the PC is rebooted, reverting the OS back to its previous state and reinitiating the installation. Since automatic updates are required in Windows 10 without a cumbersome workaround, preventing the update from installing is a task — leading into the aforementioned infinite crash loop.

“Downloads, reboot to install. Gets to 30% and reboots. Gets to 59% and reboots. Gets to 59% again and then states something went wrong,” one user noted on the Microsoft Community forum.

“I’ve tried 10 times since the 5th and keep getting the same problem,” another user wrote. “I’m going out of town for a week. Maybe they’ll fix the update by then and it will work.”

While Microsoft has yet to present a clear-cut fix to this widespread dilemma, several users on the company’s forums have reported their own makeshift solutions by deleting a file from the Windows Registry, the database that stores configuration options and settings pertaining to the OS.

Do note, however, that modifying the registry can cause serious damage to your operating system when handled improperly.

Windows 10 released by Microsoft to a handful of customers on July 29. The operating system brought with it a slew of new features including a revised user interface, a new integrated Web browser, and — most formidably — the resurrection of the once-beloved Start menu.

Microsoft revealed in its updated End-User License Agreement last month that software updates in Windows 10 would be installed automatically. These recent compromises some users have undergone, however, signify some serious drawbacks to that decision, especially considering the OS hasn’t even been out for two weeks yet.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Computing

The most common Chromebook problems and how to fix them

A person working on a Toshiba Chromebook.

Chromebooks are great alternatives to MacBooks and Windows 10 laptops, but they aren’t perfect. Any laptop computer is bound to have issues, and some of the most common problems faced by Chromebook users can feel difficult or even impossible to solve on their own.

From issues with updates to internet connectivity, troubleshooting common Chromebook problems doesn’t have to ruin your day. Read on to discover easy fixes for the most frequent issues Chromebook users face.
The Diagnostics app

Computing

Edge Copilot finally delivers on Microsoft’s Bing Chat promises

Here's Microsoft's example of how Bing chat will work in the future.

Microsoft is finally making the version of Bing Chat we heard about in February a reality. The latest version of Microsoft Edge (111.0.1661.41) includes the Bing Copoilot sidebar, which allows you to chat, generate AI content, and get insights into topics powered by AI.

This is the form of Bing Chat Microsoft originally pitched. Since its launch, the chat portion of Bing Chat has been available through a waitlist that, according to Microsoft, has amassed millions of sign-ups. However, Microsoft also talked about Bing Copilot, which would live in the Edge sidebar and open up the possibility of generating emails, blog posts, and more, as well as provide context for whatever web page you were on.

Computing

Ranking all 12 versions of Windows, from worst to best

Windows 7 desktop.

You can tell a person's age by which version of Windows is their favorite. I have fond memories of XP and Windows 98 SE, so you can take a guess at mine, but I have colleagues who are much more enamored with Windows 7, or Windows 95. We all have something disparaging to say about Windows 8 though, and the less said about Windows Vista the better.

Ranking the different versions of Windows is about more than what era of computing you grew up in, though. There are some very serious duds in Microsoft's back catalog, just as there are a few wins too. But whether you can look back on some of Microsoft's disastrous releases with rose-tinted glasses, or have some genuine love for Microsoft's missteps, here's every version of Windows ranked from best to worst.
12. Windows ME