Windows 10: Why can't I get Windows 10 to start OR to reset my PC OR to roll back to a restore point?

I have a Dell Inspiron 15R notebook that I bought in 2012. I upgraded to Windows 10 from Win 7 shortly after Win 10 became available. I have installed all Windows 10 updates. I used the laptop all day at a meeting on 2-26-2020, and as I was shutting it down, the laptop was installing some recently-downloaded Windows update. I could not and cannot get Windows 10 to start normally. Pre-boot Dell diagnostics are all normal. The hard drive tests as OK. I have tried all advanced options, including an attempted boot from a clean USB drive containing the Windows 10 software, and going back to any of the last 3 restore points. I can't restore this laptop from a stored backup on an external hard drive because that backup was created in 2018 when BIOS firmware was running, and now it's UEFI firmware. NOTHING works. As I last resort, I tried both types of "Reset PC" commands, first with preservation of my files, and second with a complete reset. Neither of them worked. I get an error message indicating that the rest could not be completed and that "no changes were made."


What gives? Would I be wasting my time if I hired some troubleshooter who knows how to use a command prompt?


P.S. I hope it's just a coincidence, but after reading some stellar reviews I purchased a license for Advanced System Repair Pro, installed it on this Dell Laptop, and ran the scans. That was a few days before I last used the laptop. ASR Pro did not noticeably affect booting or performance on the last 2 days that I used the laptop.

:)

 

How to delete inactive System Image Restore Points in System Restore

Windows 10 64-bit.
When I click "show more restore points" in System Restore I see a bunch of old "system image restore points" that were deleted in past and do not correspond to any currently active restore points. Clicking any of these old restore points, I simply get an error message saying they could not be found, and to select another restore point instead.I would like to delete these restore points listings but have been unable to do so.
So far, I have tried steps mentioned below without any luck :

Disk Cleanup through (C Properties
Disable System Protection (OFF and ON) in System Protection for OS (C
Disk Space Usage to minimum (slider button all the way to the left then 'Delete all restore points for this drive'),
Delete all shown Restore points in CCleaner (the problem ones do not show here),
Reset Windows Backup to Default in Windows 10 with 'Reset_Windows_Backup.bat' utility.

Any suggestions highly welcome.

 

Windows 10, restore point?

Hi

Sounds like you're in a bit of a mess. If you didn't create any restore points in windows 10 then you can't go to an earlier time. I suggest you reset you PC and start afresh. To do this open settings (left click windows start button and click cogwheel
icon). Now click the Update and Security group when this opens go down the list on the left and click Recovery. At the top where it says Reset this PC click on Get started, now select the first option Keep my files and follow the instructions, this may take
a while. When it is finished windows 10 will have been reinstalled and you can start again. If you choose this option when you are starting again have a look at this

LINK (or read it first) it contains useful info as to how to set up your PC. If you do this and get set up then please post back and you'll be shown how to create restore points in windows10. If you don't feel confident doing this yourself maybe there is
someone who can do it for you. This is just my suggestion you may receive other ideas you are more comfortable with.

 

Restore points being deleted

This is not a pitch but a valid suggestion of a superior alternative.