Some of our readers who recently complained about the Windows failed to start a recent hardware or software change might be the cause error need to know that this error is inevitable if there is any hardware or software change to your computer.

Missing BCD file may cause this problem and requires rebuilding

  • The Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause error likely caused by a corrupted BCD file.Rebuilding BCD can easily fix the problem if you follow the steps below.Restarting your PC to Safe Mode may also be of help after applying any fix.

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This error affects the regular boot process of your computer and at times causes data loss. This article will teach you how to fix the error.

Why do I encounter Windows failed to start after hardware or software change?

One of the major reason could be that you have installed hardware or software which has triggered the error. Below are some other factors reported by some users:

  • Corrupted BCD file – If you often experience power outages or there are disk write errors, it can cause your BCD file to become missing or corrupted. Hence, causing the Windows failed to start a recent hardware or software change might be the cause error.
  • Corrupted or damaged system files – System file corruption or damage is a common cause of computer issues, and the Windows installation procedure is no exception. You can read about how to repair damaged system files here.
  • Viruses and malware infections – Some viruses and malware may have affected the system files and trigger the error. Try one of the best antivirus software shortlisted in this article.
  • Conflicting third-party programs – Some users claim the error occur after installing a program that isn’t compatible with one of the resident apps. If you can identify such apps, consider using one of these best uninstaller software to remove them.
  • Problems with connected devices – This error can also manifest due to a conflict with an attached external device. You can simply disconnect them and connect one after the other to know which is causing the issue.

Now that you know some of the potential reasons behind this issue, you can work your way through any of the fixes provided in this article.

How do I fix Windows failed to start due to hardware or software change?

It may be worth a simple fix for you if you consider performing the following preliminary checks:

  • Disconnect all peripheral devices such as a printer, scanner, camera, or any other USB devices (if any) except for your mouse and keyboard which you’ll need for navigation.
  • Ensure the HDD is active and not damaged.
  • Boot into Safe Mode. You may try these fixes if Windows refused to boot into Safe Mode.

Having confirmed the above checks and the problem persists, you can explore the advanced solutions provided below:

1. Run the Automatic/Startup Repairs

  • Insert Windows bootable installation DVD or Recovery Disc and restart your PC.
  • After getting the prompt to Press any key to boot from CD or DVD, click on any key to continue.
  • Choose your language preferences and click on Next and then, click on Repair your computer.
  • In the next section, choose Troubleshoot.
  • Click on Advanced options on the Troubleshoot screen.
  • Then, select Automatic Repair or Startup Repair.
  • Wait for Windows to complete the Automatic/Startup Repairs.

As soon as the process is complete, restart your PC for the fix to take effect. Now, check if the problem is fixed. If it persists, try the next fix.

Some PC issues are hard to tackle, especially when it comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may be partially broken. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.Click here to download and start repairing.

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2. Rebuild BCD Configuration

  • Follow steps 1-5 in the method above and click on Command Prompt while using your Windows installation disk.
  • Type the following commands one after the other and press Enter after each: bootrec.exe /FixMbr  bootrec.exe /FixBoot  bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd
  • Then, exit cmd and restart Windows.

Rebuilding BCD has been reported by several users to have proved a potential fix for the Windows failed to start a recent hardware or software change might be the cause error.

3. Run SFC and CHKDSK Scans

  • In the Windows installation disk, click on Command Prompt in the Advanced options screen.
  • Type the following command line  and hit Enter: sfc /scannow
  • Then type the following and hit Enter: chkdsk C: /f /r /x
  • Now, exit the command prompt and restart your PC.

You can try running the SFC and CHKDSK scans as it will search for bad sectors and perform recovery on them.

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4. Perform a System Restore

  • Insert Windows bootable installation DVD or Recovery Disc and restart your PC.
  • After getting the prompt to Press any key to boot from CD or DVD, click on any key to continue.
  • Choose your language preferences and click on Next and then, click on Repair your computer.
  • Click on System Restore and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the restore.
  • Restart your PC to effect the changes made.

Another helpful way to fix computer problems as this is by using a built-in Windows feature called System Restore.

You should be able to fix the issue after working your way through the provided fixes in this article.

Similar to this error is the UNetbootin Windows Failed to Start. You can check how to fix it using our detailed guide.

If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to use the comments section below.

If the advices above haven’t solved your issue, your PC may experience deeper Windows problems. We recommend downloading this PC Repair tool (rated Great on TrustPilot.com) to easily address them. After installation, simply click the Start Scan button and then press on Repair All.

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