Windows 10: Logging in to an Advanced Boot Options Menu Recovery Tool

After upgrading my Mother's laptop to Windows 10 Home, I replaced much of her Windows 8 Recovery partition with the "media" files from a WinPE recovery USB boot-drive - which I created after downloading the Windows ADK and PE files: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/download-winpe--windows-pe. I then created a custom install.wim file (after installing all pertinent software to her “new” Windows 10 Home laptop), and created a "Custom Tool" for her "Windows RE Boot Options Menu" - to replace the OEM, Windows 8 install.wim file interface - which either was not set up properly or had become corrupted:

• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/capture-and-apply-windows-system-and-recovery-partitions
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/add-a-custom-tool-to-the-windows-re-boot-options-menu

The "Custom Tool" I created is a command-line batch file. I have only had one college course in programming: C, but I have used DOS commands before. ( I have very outdated A+ and MCP certifications.) I've added a simple script to my batch file, which requires a password – before it formats the Windows partition and applies the custom install.wim file: https://www.dostips.com/DtCodeCmdLib.php#pwd. However, since the Advanced Boot Options Menu requires a login before it allows a user to access a cmd (command) window, I thought I might be able to access that same login utility for my "Custom Tool" - which could easily do as much damage as the command window.



I have not been able to get the <RequireLogonOnReset></RequireLogonOnReset> element of the WinREConfig.xml file to work (as I understood it was supposed to work): https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/winreconfig-xml-reference . (This is probably a very simple process for someone who is more knowledgeable and practiced than I am.) How can I access the same login process used by the Windows RE Boot Options Menu Command Window for my new “Custom Tool?”

:)

 

How does Windows boot to advanced recovery option e.g. command prompt?

- that gives me a 454 'Unexpected error' This tells me that the BCD is partially corrupted.

The commands: shutdown.exe /r /o /f /t 00
or: %SystemRoot%\System32\Cmd.exe /c reagentc /boottore&shutdown /r /f /t 00
should boot into Recovery if everything is configured correctly.
FYI, If Windows is configured correctly:

1. If Reagentc is disabled, you still can get into Recovery but with limited options.
2. If Reagentc is enabled, you'll get all options.
3. If you boot Windows using Recovery USB stick, You'll get into Recovery with couple of options missing.

Here's my suggestion if you want to try:
OPTION 1: Will save the trouble of re-install Windows.

1. Download the image of my first 3 partitions (450MB Recovery, 100 MB EFI partition, and 16MB unformatted primary)
   EFI_Boot-00-00.7z - Google Drive
2. Run Macrium and restore the image from step 1, overwriting your existing 1st three partitions, leaving C alone.
3. Delete the 490MB Recovery partition.
4. From Macrium, run fix boot problems.
5. Reboot. Open Admin command prompt then run Reagentc /info to make sure that it is enabled. If not, enable it.
   if failed to enable, reboot and try again.

OPTION 2: Assuming you've already had Windows backup with Macrium.

1. Wipe out the first 5 parttiions. (450MB, 100MB, 16MB, C Drive, 480MB)
2. Fresh install Windows 10
3. Restore C drive from backup image, run fix boot problems
4. repeat step 5 from OPTION 1 above.

 

How does Windows boot to advanced recovery option e.g. command prompt?


I have questions for you:

1. if you open admin command, copy and paste: reagentc /boottore&shutdown /r /f /t 00
   Does it boot into recovery ?
2. Is the disk layout still look like the screen you posted in the other thread with 2 recovery partitions (450MB and 480MB)?
   
   
   
   According to suggestions from the thread, you changed from partitiion 5 to partition 1 with reagentc, which in my opinion is not correct. When you upgrade, windows creates an extra 450MB after C: and put a new Winre.wim there and set it to partition 5 (counting from left to right)

 

Windows 10 Advance Startup mode not showing menu (only power off menu)

Hi Dany,

I realize the inconvenience you are experiencing with Windows Startup options. I will certainly help you.

I suggest you to try the steps below and check if this helps in enabling the Advance boot option.

• Use any administrator account to sign-in/log on to your Windows 10 computer.
• Once on the desktop window, right-click the Start button from the bottom left corner.
• From the displayed context menu, click the Command Prompt (Admin) option.
• In the opened Administrator: Command Prompt interface, type the
  BCDEDIT /SET {DEFAULT} BOOTMENUPOLICY LEGACY command.
• Hit Enter to execute the command.
• Close the command window when done.
• After this, left-click the Start button.
• Click Power from the Start menu.
• From the displayed options, click Restart.

Now follow the below steps and check if you are able to see the
Advance boot options.

• Open Settings, and click/tap on the
  Update & security icon.
• 
  Click/tap on
  Recovery on the left side, and click/tap on Restart
  now under Advanced startup. Check if you are able to view the
  Troubleshoot option.
  

Write to us, if you need further assistance.

Thank You.