Unable to boot Windows 10

[REDACTED]

After installing Avast I'm getting a bluescreen at startup, meaning I'm unable to get into my system. This isn't the first time I've had this. Since the Windows Insider builds I've repeatedly had these and similar bluescreens after updating or installing Avast.

Normally, I'd boot a recovery disc and restore the system to before the Avast installation. This would always fix the issue.

Unfortunately I did a disk cleanup recently, removing the system restore points from before the Avast installation. Now I'm stuck troubleshooting a problem I honestly have no time for.

The bluescreen mentions:

Code: [Select]

A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed.

Error code: 0x000000f
When I press F8, the same screen appears, now mentioning a different code. So to make matters worse, I can't access Startup options.

Code: [Select]

The application or operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors.

File: \WINDOWS\system32\winload.efi
Error code: 0x0000001
I ran Startup repair from a recovery disc (without result as usual). I also tried out a program called EasyRE, but no luck. It could even have made things worse, as the error codes are now slightly different.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[essexboy]

The application or operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors.
File: \WINDOWS\system32\winload.efi
Error code: 0x0000001

You will need to re-install windows 10 with this error http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/windows-10-will-not-boot-winloadefi-missing/64addd58-d824-4dc7-982a-47d2269fc5fb

[REDACTED]

The application or operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors.
File: \WINDOWS\system32\winload.efi
Error code: 0x0000001

You will need to re-install windows 10 with this error http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/windows-10-will-not-boot-winloadefi-missing/64addd58-d824-4dc7-982a-47d2269fc5fb

That's not very helpful. The thread you quoted has little to do with my issue either. Different error code, totally different situation.

I'd also like to emphasize that my issue has been directly caused by Avast on different occasions, with different Windows builds.

[essexboy]

winload.efi is the main bootloader for windows 10 if this is corrupt or missing then the system will not boot

This does not appear to be a common problem as I have been running windows 10 from the initial preview build with Avast and have never had a problem.  It may be related to your system set up and the relationship of other drivers with Avast

[REDACTED]

I don't have W10....never went to W8.1 either.....still on W7 for all PCs.
Anyway, have been reading up on W10 because looking to get Surface Pro.
I always start learning about O/S on what I do to protect myself for failed boot or crashed HDD.
Anyway, enough about me..........since you have other W10 PCs how about creating USB recovery drive ?
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4200-recovery-drive-create-windows-10-a.html
....perhaps you've tried but you can also create to re-load W10.
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-usb-flash-drive-create-install-windows-10-a.html
I would assume there is way to re-load windows from this without blowing away your system....I know there is ways "within" W10 recovery console.

[REDACTED]

I don't have W10....never went to W8.1 either.....still on W7 for all PCs.
Anyway, have been reading up on W10 because looking to get Surface Pro.
I always start learning about O/S on what I do to protect myself for failed boot or crashed HDD.
Anyway, enough about me..........since you have other W10 PCs how about creating USB recovery drive ?
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4200-recovery-drive-create-windows-10-a.html
....perhaps you've tried but you can also create to re-load W10.
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-usb-flash-drive-create-install-windows-10-a.html
I would assume there is way to re-load windows from this without blowing away your system....I know there is ways "within" W10 recovery console.

Yeah it seems my only option at this point is to create a recovery USB and do a system refresh/reset/however they call it these days. That way I'll keep my personal files. Problem is there's a lot of important modding stuff in Program Files I'll have to save as well.

Anyway, essexboy is probably right: the problem seems to be related to my specific set-up as much as it's related to Avast.

[REDACTED]

I'm sure you saw but this may help if not..........
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/windows-10-recovery-options

Use a recovery drive to reinstall Windows

If your PC won’t start, you can use a recovery drive to restore from system restore point, reset your PC, or use advanced troubleshooting options (including safe mode).
If you're using a recovery drive created on Windows 10:

    Connect the recovery drive and turn on your PC.

    On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot, and then select an option. If you don’t see the Choose your option screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive. Check your PC manufacturer’s website for info on how to change your PC’s boot order.

        Select Reset this PC and then choose to keep or remove your files.