I was installing/uninstalling some software and found some leftovers in the Registry, and thinking wow6432node was also a leftover, clicked delete. It said unable to delete and I Ignored it, but then the OS started acting strangely with messed up fonts. I can't use any software or log in, as I am dual-booting with Ubuntu and don't know how to get into Recovery.
1 Answer
Deleting registry keys like this is a major problem, compounded by the fact that the machine is used for dual booting.
To repair the computer in place, run a Windows Repair Install.
Go to the Media Creation Link:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Windows 10 is running, so click on the Download button (not Upgrade Button) and select Run. If the Repair will not run as per above, use the Download button to create a USB Windows Installation key, then run Setup on the USB Key.
This will launch the Repair and proceed normally. There are 3 ways to proceed, according to the severity of the error.
You can start with the first method but that may not work in this case.
(1) Keep Everything: Best if it works and your computer comes back just the way you had set it up except repaired. Always have a backup, but generally nothing will be lost.
(2) Keep Data: Necessary if the operating system damage is extensive. Keeps the User Profile and makes software install quite easy. Always have a backup, but data is not usually lost.
(3) Keep Nothing: Deletes the User Profile and all else and is essentially a fresh install, but still in place on the computer. Be certain you have backed up all your data. "Keep Nothing" is necessary if the User Profile is damaged, because broken User Profiles cannot be repaired and it is generally easier to back up and start over if the User Profile is damaged. It depends on the precise situation.
-
wait 'a min. I know you. U R the one who solved my python3 tkinter case. Okay but I have windows 8.1. Also can't login with password. I never did a backup (cause I did'nt had enough storage. I had kali linux, 2 ubuntu-14 and then Windows 8.1.). Commented May 16, 2021 at 5:38
-
You might wish to backup when you can and then upgrade the machine to Windows 10. Windows 10 works much better. That will also rebuild and fix the deleted Registry Keys.– anonCommented May 16, 2021 at 10:37
-
Brother, I have 3.7 Gb ram WIN 10 won't be fast enough for me though it has some extra features. Tested it with another lap that had windows 7 ultimate upgraded it does not take 15 min to boot while windows 7 ultimate took 8 min. Commented May 19, 2021 at 5:44
-
@DarkShade Win10's smart installer will attenuate the install to the hardware specs available and will run better than Win 8.1, however, in general, Windows won't run well with <8GB RAM and less than a 4C CPU due to the number of services it relies upon. Clean install startup times shouldn't exceed ~60s (upgraded install is not recommended due to incompatible drivers that are not possible to efficiently remove from
%WinDir%due to being renamedoem##.infupon install). Win10 will auto-install all drivers, except OEM CPU-related ones (Chipset, IMEI, etc.) via Windows Update– JW0914Commented May 19, 2021 at 13:30
%WinDir%\System32\config\RegBack, else a Repair Install laid out in @john's answer will be required), Windows will auto-boot to WinRE upon two failed attempts of the Windows bootloader to boot Windows.