SUPPORT By Randy McElveen There are hundreds of reasons why your PC might get stuck trying to repair itself, putting your PC into an Automatic Repair
[See the full post at: How to get out of Windows’ Automatic Repair loop]
![]() |
There are isolated problems with current patches, but they are well-known and documented on this site. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
How to get out of Windows’ Automatic Repair loop
Home » Forums » Newsletter and Homepage topics » How to get out of Windows’ Automatic Repair loop
- This topic has 12 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 7 months ago.
AuthorTopicRandy McElveen
AskWoody PlusViewing 6 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
Ben Myers
AskWoody PlusRandy, the bottom line here is that Windows 10 and 11 lack the kind of repair install that was possible with Windows 7, essentially refreshing the operating system with the original package of software in the ISO used to do the repair.
As I always, I say “Make sure that the hardware is 100% functional first, then muck with the software”, else one runs the risk of contaminating the software further.
That said, I have yet to find a way to repair Windows 10/11 with consistent and positive results, having followed many, if not all, of the steps in your article. Then, too, more than half, for sure, of the Windows 10/11 “repairs” that hit here are due to hard drives gone wonky.
-
Ben Myers
AskWoody Plus -
Kathy Stevens
AskWoody PlusWe use HP workstations and from time to time we run into problems rebooting after working under the hood on Windows 10 or after deleting apps using Revo Uninstaller.
If a system fails to reboot after going through multiple repair cycles, we get an HP screen that offers multiple options for recovering the system.
If all else fails, we use the HP recovery option that allows us to go to System Repair and restore the computer to a state that it was in before we broke the system.
And System Restore almost always works.
Of course, we have multiple backups if all else fails.
Bottom line, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Ben Myers
AskWoody Plus
-
rc primak
AskWoody_MVPExcept for a munged Windows Update or a bad driver update, the only repairs I have ever been successsful with in Windows since Windows 10 came on the scene, are:
Macrium Reflect Image Backup restore.
or, Full Reinstall of Windows without saving my Data.
For this and other reasons (some relating to today’s ever-increasing complexity of hardware and firmware) I now keep all my data and notes on all of my settings handy in multiple copies on different mechanical hard drives. These drives only connect with my computers when performing backup or restore operations. (Data can be kept up to date on flash drives and SSDs between major backup operations.)
I never expect success with any other repair options for today’s Windows.
In fact, I’ve begun taking a similar attitude toward restoring and repairing Linux. Trying to track down and remedy an issue is often more time consuming and frustrating than just blowing away the present installation and starting over from a know-stable point in the past.
My Home Directory is my data backup in Linux, plus a few configuration system files which I save and create after a fresh install.
In Linux I don’t even bother with Timeshift and similar programs. They just don’t guarantee rock-solid repairs or restorations.
(For Linux instead of Macrium Reflect, I have Clonezilla or its newer GUI version, RescueZilla.)
I’m just an end-user, not an IT Pro or a technician, so others may be able to make more sense of troubleshooting tools than I can.
-- rc primak
-
rc primak
AskWoody_MVP
Bob99
AskWoody PlusIn his article, Randy mentions using chkdsk /R to try and get a disk up and running by repairing the file structure. He subsequently mentions that chkdsk /R will take a while on an SSD and even longer on a regular spinner (HDD).
Pardon me, but I seem to recall reading several authoritative missives both here and on other sites that running chkdsk /R on an SSD was very strongly NOT recommended, and that the only part of chkdsk one should use on an SSD is the chkdsk /F option.
Has that guidance changed in the last couple of years or last few months? If so, can links please be provided to this newer guidance?
The reason for these questions is that I seem to recall reading that running chkdsk /R on an SSD would either dramatically shorten its life or actually damage the chips used for the SSD because of what it does in addition to what the chkdsk /F option does.
-
samak
AskWoody PlusAccording to Western Digital, “Running CHKDSK will not harm an SSD in the same way that running DEFRAG might”. Short and sweet explanation here:
https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/49188Windows 10 Home 22H2, Acer Aspire TC-1660 desktop + LibreOffice, non-techie
-
rc primak
AskWoody_MVP
Norio
AskWoody PlusThanks @Randy McElveen! Your columns are insightful and an educational experience for me.
I have a question. Is there any particular reason you do the “chkdsk /r” repair first, and then the “chkdsk /f” repair? I’ve always done it the other way ’round. My rationale is that if the issue is only with the logical file structure, I’ll be up and running much more quickly. If the “/f” switch scenario takes a lot of time, and/or a bunch of errors are found and can’t be fixed, then I would run the “/r” switch. I am curious to know if I’ve been doing it in the wrong order and the reason(s) why.
-
bbearren
AskWoody MVPFrom Command Prompt chkdsk /r /?
“/R Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information
(implies /F, when /scan not specified).”If chkdsk /r has been run, /f has also been run, and there’s no need to repeat it. If one chooses to run chkdsk /f again, it will indeed run, it’s just unnecessary. Chkdsk /r is the only switch I use.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do to our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.
cyberSAR
AskWoody PlusWhat a timely article! Have one on my bench now that lost a lan connection and after client tried system restore was going through the loop. Initial diagnostics showed bad hdd. Got an image and file backup. Chkdsk brought it back to life after running most of the day and now drive tests good. Going to replace with SSD anyway though.
Never Say Never
Viewing 6 reply threads -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
Is using VPN a good idea?
by
Tex265
42 minutes ago -
How to prevent/disable Bitlocker Automatic Device Encryption?
by
EricB
17 minutes ago -
Unexplained aspects of installing the latest update of Office 2021
by
TonyC
4 hours, 27 minutes ago -
Getting started with macOS Disk Utility: RAID, images, and repairs
by
Alex5723
7 hours, 19 minutes ago -
Getting started with macOS Disk Utility: Resizing, snapshots, and journaling
by
Alex5723
7 hours, 23 minutes ago -
Are you ready for AI?
by
Susan Bradley
1 hour, 5 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 25375 released to Canary
by
joep517
9 hours, 57 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22621.1825 and 22624.1825 released to BETA
by
joep517
10 hours, 1 minute ago -
Duplicate image name brings up old images
by
Susan Bradley
1 day, 15 hours ago -
XP offline activation tool, xp_activate32.exe
by
Alex5723
3 hours, 25 minutes ago -
Huge Tesla leak reveals thousands of safety concerns, privacy problems
by
Alex5723
1 day, 19 hours ago -
Android : iRecorder – Screen Recorder new Android RAT
by
Alex5723
1 day, 20 hours ago -
HP has found an exciting new way to DRM your printer!
by
Alex5723
1 day, 20 hours ago -
Outlook 2019 Resend “you do not appear to be the original sender…” msg
by
Mw Ward
2 days, 11 hours ago -
Wine update?
by
bassmanzam
1 day, 10 hours ago -
Issue with \windows\servicing\LCU\Package_for_rollupFix…
by
cmar6
1 day, 17 hours ago -
Java JDK 20 – Should I install it?
by
Peobody
1 day ago -
Windows 10 won’t boot on a new motherboard
by
Paul Demmitt
1 day, 22 hours ago -
Cannot Update Win 10 to 22H2 from 21H2
by
Haifisch77
2 days, 21 hours ago -
Microsoft : Saving or copying files might intermittently fail
by
Alex5723
2 days, 17 hours ago -
Chinese Volt Typhoon hit US critical infrastructure sectors
by
Alex5723
1 day, 11 hours ago -
EFF: How to Fix the Internet-People With Disabilities Are The Original Hackers
by
Elly
2 days, 6 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 23466 released to DEV
by
joep517
3 days, 17 hours ago -
Cannot Un-suspend tasks
by
steven.h.lutz
3 days, 18 hours ago -
Old Hardware
by
fpefpe
3 days ago -
New ways to customize Chrome on your desktop
by
Alex5723
4 days, 3 hours ago -
Microsoft ‘killed” WinRAR and 7-zip
by
Alex5723
3 days, 15 hours ago -
Losing Wireless Identity
by
WSmmi16
1 day, 16 hours ago -
45 min for hackers to brute-force fingerprint authentication of android devices
by
Cell Phone
4 days, 16 hours ago -
Windows 11 Moments 3 coming May 24
by
Alex5723
3 days, 18 hours ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2023 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.