Windows Repair is a built-in feature of Windows that helps fix boot-related problems on computers, but occasionally it fails and your computer becomes stuck with an error message stating: “Preparing Automatic Repair.”
Solution to this problem consists in fixing corrupted system files using Command Prompt. Luckily, there are various methods available to you for doing this.
System Restore
System Restore is an integral feature in Windows that keeps track of changes to your computer and allows you to roll back time at any point in the past. It can help with issues like file corruption, malware infections and stability problems when all other methods of troubleshooting fail.
System Restore creates a customized backup copy of your partition containing Windows, programs and personal files such as emails and pictures. It differs from restore points which keep an identical version of original files while not undoing file imports or deletions; additionally system restore points take up less space as they only store changed files – also known as difference files.
Restoring can vary depending on what has changed since the previous restore point; for example, depending on what software or applications have been added or removed since. Restoring to today could include installing Visual Studio 2022, uninstalling Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise and changing Windows 10 version from 20H2 to 1909. It also involves fixing any corrupt registry entries caused by software, hardware and malware issues.
System Restore can be an invaluable way of solving issues that cannot be fixed using other tools; however, its limitations must be understood before use. For instance, it does not create any external backups, so any additional hard drives you wish to protect must manually create their own restore point and you must only use it against system partitions, rather than individual drives.
To enable System Restore on your computer, navigate to the Start menu and type “create a restore point.” Selecting the top search result opens up System Properties Window where you can click Create Restore Point button and follow on-screen instructions to set a checkpoint of your current system state. When encountering problems on your system, go back into System Properties Window and Restore option is available so that when problems arise you can quickly restore to that same restore point; additionally there’s also the option of scanning affected programs or drivers deleted during restoration process in case anything has been lost during restoration process if applicable.
Disable Antivirus
One of the first steps you should take if your computer won’t boot into Windows is performing a system repair. This tool can fix a variety of issues, from missing system files and driver errors to incompatible device drivers or viruses; but sometimes even this might not suffice, leading you to resort to a clean reset – something which could potentially wipe out unsaved data – but with proper precautionary steps such as backing up files before beginning with any repair software tools, such as Windows Repair tools can prevent this scenario.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is an efficient, user-friendly utility designed to recover files that have been lost or deleted from Windows 10 computers, external hard drives, memory cards, SSDs and other devices. It supports various file formats with intuitive user interfaces for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.
An alternative way of disabling antivirus protection on Windows is through the registry, either through Settings or Registry Editor. Administrator access will be required in order to make changes here, so before making any modifications be sure to create a backup by opening Registry Editor and selecting File -> Export; be sure to save this file somewhere safe afterwards.
To deactivate Windows Defender’s antivirus functionality, it’s essential that its tamper protection be disabled in order to do so. This will stop another user or virus from disabling it in the future and might also come in handy should you decide to switch over to another antivirus later. Additionally, disabling Tamper Protection could prevent another from disabling it as a backup plan in case they switch theirs out too – plus, switching can make Windows Defender less effective overall!
Trying to launch your antivirus application may be a telltale sign of corrupt or damaged system files, so it is wise to run a System File Checker (SFC). To do so, press Win + R on your keyboard combination to open up the search bar, type in “cmd”, press enter, then yes if prompted to run as administrator – once complete restart your computer!
Disable Device Drivers
Every so often, drivers can cause your computer issues due to compatibility or other reasons. While typically you would use Safe mode or System Restore to remove them, in some instances this may not be possible and in these situations disabling may help until your issue can be fixed properly.
Dependent upon the device, this may be possible through Device Manager. Launch it, expand the category that contains drivers for said device and locate its problematic driver(s). Right-click that driver to select “Disable device”, if prompted with a confirmation dialog choose yes and delete from registry
If you have access to your PC’s motherboard, you can disable a driver by entering its BIOS. Typically, you can enter this mode by pressing one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10 or F12) or the ESC key as soon as your computer boots. Alternatively, use a bootable USB drive or DVD as another method.
Disabling driver signature enforcement in Windows may allow unsigned drivers to be installed temporarily; this should only be used as a short-term solution, and you will have to restart afterward; but this could provide a quick solution and allow for the installation of new drivers.
Drivers are an essential component of computer operation, enabling various hardware devices and components to communicate properly with one another and effectively function. Without drivers, your computer would simply cease functioning – therefore keeping all drivers up-to-date is vitally important, with Windows offering automatic updates for most but you may also manually update any that are outdated or faulty causing serious problems – in extreme cases even stopping it from starting altogether! Consequently it is imperative to update as often as possible to avoid problems from outdated or faulty drivers!
Perform a Repair Upgrade
Repair upgrades (also referred to as in-place upgrades) are a type of Windows installation which preserves all programs, files and personal data that exist on your current system. They’re frequently employed when system files become corrupted beyond repair by other means; additionally they offer an efficient means for upgrading to newer versions without needing to reinstall applications and transfer files again.
Conducting an in-place upgrade is relatively straightforward and can follow the same process that would be used when upgrading to Windows 11 or later. After selecting “Repair Your Computer,” a screen will pop up asking which apps, programs and personal files (including apps from Google Play), programs you don’t use often or personal files) you want to keep – you have two choices here – Keep Everything or Modify What to Keep (keep all or change what to Keep). However, keep in mind that an in-place upgrade won’t necessarily solve your issues and may end up in a perpetual repair loop instead.
Once you have determined which items you would like to keep, the setup wizard will ask if you want to register with Microsoft (optional). After doing so, account names (up to five for each user you create) will be requested so they can log on once your computer has been repaired.
As soon as the setup wizard has assessed and repaired your machine, a progress indicator should appear on screen showing its repair progress. Depending on its speed, this may take several minutes.
Once your repair is complete, a Welcome to Microsoft Windows screen will notify you of the successful operation and load your repaired installation again. Windows may then restart to complete its rebooting and load your restored installation.
Once logged in, you can resume using your computer normally. If you’re experiencing issues with Windows 10, including the Automatic Repair loop, one or more of these solutions should work for most users – however if your issues are more severe and require professional advice please see: How to Repair a Laptop That Won’t Turn On
