Can't factory reset

grarrl1090

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Oct 26, 2017
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I need some advice on ‘repairing’ my in-laws PC. I’m just trying to the HDD while resetting the OS(win10-32) to factory. The reason for the wipe are also some of the issues keeping from accomplishing this task.
First, I cannot access the start menu in any fashion. It won’t open when I click it, it won’t open with the windows key, also anything within the start menu I am unable to open with shortcuts OR searches. Second I can’t make any changes to the preexisting accounts on the system, even the admin account can’t make changes this includes creating or deleting accounts. Infact the admin account is the only able to be logged into, the only other account just pinwheels I’ve let it pinwheel for 24 hrs before giving up on it. I’m unable to pull up the boot menu at all to start up in safe mode.

I’ve tried using powershell to run a sfc /scannow comes back all good so I ran the command Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} this bring back so red text but essentially tells me its unable to preform this task.
I’ve tried to restore to a previous point in time through but it tells me that its unable to do so after I run the restore..

They have a free version of Norton on the PC but it doesn’t find anything as a threat.
So that’s where I’m at now, not sure what to do now short of buying a new HDD and Windows 10.
 
Solution
Since you willing to do a factory reset, I would do a clean install and fix that image you have there

is there anything on C drive you want to rescue? try making this on another PC: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
Also, on another PC, download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB

change boot order in BIOS so USB is first, hdd second
boot from installer
follow this guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

when you reach the screen asking for licence, click "I don't have a key" and win 10 will continue to install and reactivate once finished

On the screen where you choose...
Since you willing to do a factory reset, I would do a clean install and fix that image you have there

is there anything on C drive you want to rescue? try making this on another PC: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
Also, on another PC, download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB

change boot order in BIOS so USB is first, hdd second
boot from installer
follow this guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

when you reach the screen asking for licence, click "I don't have a key" and win 10 will continue to install and reactivate once finished

On the screen where you choose where to install win 10, if it gives you an error about GPT drives, delete all the partitions on the hdd and press next. If it still gives error, cancel out of the installer and restart PC and start installer again, it will accept next on that screen this time (some PC just need a restart here)
 
Solution