Windows 10: The WMS service failed to start due to the following error...

explorer.exe won't run on startup. On the "Welcome" screen, there's only half startup jingle playing, then it goes black, and the only thing I see is the Command Prompt. I took a look at the Event Viewer. Here's what I found:

The WMS service failed to start due to the following error: The system cannot find the file specified.

I probably messed something up in the registry editor. I deleted following registry keys:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor

I recovered it from a new user account, but it didn't help. I don't know what to do anymore. The Shell string in Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon is good.

:)

 

The Hardlock service failed to start due to the following error: Windows cannot verify the digital signature for this file.

One service named Hardlock is produced by Sentinel which uses a USB key as a hardware device to lock programs from unlicensed access.

 

The Hardlock service failed to start due to the following error: Windows cannot verify the digital signature for this file.

any ideas?

 

I suggest you backup all important personal data, and do a Reset on your machine.

*Arrow Reset Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

 

See, that's what I wanted to omit because I just did a reset not a week ago. :/

 

If you delete registry keys and the machine goes bonkers, there are not too many choices. If you have an Image backup, restore it.

If not, Reset the box.

You could get an ISO of your Win 10 version and try an in-place upgrade/repair, if you can get that far.

Best to bite the bullet and Reset. And, no offense, stop deleting keys unless you are absolutely positive about what you are doing.

 

Well, if you say so, who am I to talk back? *Wink Will the reset leaving my personal files do? I have gigabytes worth of projects and I don't have any drive to backup it to.

 

Yes, it will. Read the tutorial. It will delete any apps YOU have installed, but keep store apps and such. You'll need to reinstall any apps. But your files will still be there. Still, back them up first before.

And you can talk back all you want to. That's how we learn............*Smile

 

I've already tried resetting Win10, so I know more or less how it works. Nevertheless, thanks for helping me out. *Smile

 

No problem! Let us know how you make out. Cheers! *Smile

 

I'm refreshing my PC, so I think nothing worse will happen. The bright side of this situation is that I learned (the hard way) to start backing up things that are risky to tamper with. I guess that's the way to becoming an expert: making so many mistakes that there are few to no more mistakes to make. *Wink

 

There are plenty more to make, just haven't found them yet! *Smile Good luck.....you'll be fine.