Windows 10: Unable to get out of safe mode and no networking.

I'm not sure if any kind of reinstall is going to be possible because neither linux nor the windows recovery drive seem to recognize the C:/ drive at all

 

I do have quite a bit of data on the windows drive, including licensed software like photoshop and premiere elements. Only some of my data is on the D:/ drive.

 

I don't know if you want to spend any money to get out of your situation but read post 16 in this thread.

WIN 10 Admin password not working.

 

okay, you can't get to safe mode from Command prompt, it doesn't work that way. I maybe misunderstanding you. Can you confirm you follow these steps to get to Safe mode

You hold the shift key down and restart your computer.
Click on "Trouble Shooting"
Click "Advance Options"
Click "Start Up Settings"
Click "Restart"
After restart press option 4
Machine boots (takes some time) and presents you with a password screen.

If this doesn't work can you tell us where it breaks.

If it works, right click Windows Start, Command Prompt(admin), type Msconfig

 

Or in Safe Mode, press CTRL+ALT+Del and start the Task Manager, go to File/Run New Task and type msconfig. Go to the Boot tab and uncheck Safe Boot.

 

This is exactly what I do, but my problem is that I am unable to log in to safe mode at all.

 

Unfortunately I can't log in to safe mode, that's my whole problem.

 

So if I understand it correctly, you press option 4 or 5 (with networking), and the machine boots but basically does not present you with an option to login so you can't get into safe mode.

So bottom line is if you boot normally then you don't get any opportunity to login and if you boot through trouble shooting and try to get in that way you are also not presented a login panel.

So really the problem is no login in screen presented for password entry. Please confirm.

 

No, I do get a login screen for safe mode just fine, but it won't accept any pin or password.

 

Okay, now we are making progress. Do you use a local account or a Microsoft account?

When ever I use a local account on a device I create an alternate admin. I don't use it but in case of corruption I can use it to sign in. Is there another admin account you can use? Is there any other account?

If you use a Microsoft account, and you are using safe mode with networking, I think option 5, then on another PC go to microsoft.com/account and try to sign in there.

If it won't let you, you will have to go through password recovery, you know, "I forgot my password". Once you have your password squared away, and you may not have a problem, but if you did you can head back to machine and login.

Please post back. answer to all questions. Thanks