Don't setup a diagnostic start using msconfig!

kelper · Jul 8, 2023

I was trying to solve a tiny problem when I ran msconfig and selected a 'diagnostic start'. Unfortunately, in Windows 11, this makes it impossible to log in to Windows!.

Both PIN and Hello are disabled and there is no way to log in to Windows 11. I could not even boot into Macrium Reflect as there was no choice of OS on starting my laptop.

I started and shut down Windows until I got the recovery menu, but no option got around the problem.

Shift+Restart had no effect. The only solution was to use a bootable MR external HDD.

I had to go into the BIOS and change the boot order to use MR on my external HDD.

A full restore did fix it.

I hope this helps someone else.

garlin · Jul 8, 2023

Here's an alternative fix without restoring or re-imaging:
Diagnostic Mode "Something happened and your PIN isn't available" Boot Loop - Cannot Login (SOLUTION)

kelper · Jul 8, 2023

garlin said:
Here's an alternative fix without restoring or re-imaging:
Diagnostic Mode "Something happened and your PIN isn't available" Boot Loop - Cannot Login (SOLUTION)

Thanks.

But shift+restart did not get me to the blue recovery screen. Safemode with command prompt would not recognise msconfig as a valid command after powering on and off five times; I did not try 'start msconfig'.

In my experience, shift+restart does nothing before you are logged in, you just boot into Windows.

Dru2 · Jul 8, 2023

I can confirm this....

kelper said:
I was trying to solve a tiny problem when I ran msconfig and selected a 'diagnostic start'. Unfortunately, in Windows 11, this makes it impossible to log in to Windows!.

as I ran it just to see what would happen. Sure, enough I couldn't log into Windows as both camera and Pin became inop.

Had to force the system in recovery mode and was able to choose a July 5 Restore Point which solved the issue. I'm now back in the system and both camera and pin are now working as expected.

kelper · Jul 8, 2023

Thanks for confirming this bug. I was surprised that msconfig's diagnostic startup eliminated the choice of OS at boot. Can you confirm that shift+restart does not work before you are logged in?

Dru2 · Jul 8, 2023

kelper said:
Can you confirm that shift+restart does not work before you are logged in?

Yeah, that didn't work for me so I had to use the "Reset your PC" trick from the link below....

Recovery options in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn about the recovery options in Windows. Find out how to reset your PC, go back to a previous version of Windows, or use media to reinstall Windows.

support.microsoft.com

then navigate to advanced options where you can try a Restore Point, which worked for me.

Couldn't get Shift+Restart to work. But now per your question it works. The trick is to hold Shift down while clicking restart. But now this is with a working PC, so....

Dru2 · Jul 8, 2023

@kelper, I submitted feedback to MS on this issue as posted here - The Windows Insider Program

Please upvote to help improve the chances of Microsoft looking into this.

Thanks.

Try3 · Jul 8, 2023

kelper said:
I ran msconfig and selected a 'diagnostic start'. Unfortunately, in Windows 11, this makes it impossible to log in to Windows!.

And here's another way of escaping from that predicament.
How to - Escape from an MSConfig-induced Safe mode boot loop - TenForums
I have not tested it in Windows 11 but I do expect it to work.

All the best,
Denis

kelper · Jul 9, 2023

Try3 said:
And here's another way of escaping from that predicament.
How to - Escape from an MSConfig-induced Safe mode boot loop - TenForums
I have not tested it in Windows 11 but I do expect it to work.

All the best,
Denis

In my case it did not boot into safe mode. It just booted into Windows normally.

kelper · Jul 9, 2023

Dru2 said:
@kelper, I submitted feedback to MS on this issue as posted here - The Windows Insider Program

Please upvote to help improve the chances of Microsoft looking into this.

Thanks.

My account does not have access to your feedback...perhaps I am not an insider

Dru2 · Jul 9, 2023

kelper said:
My account does not have access to your feedback...perhaps I am not an insider

I'm not an insider either. Don't know why it says "Insider" as I provided that feedback from my non-insider PC.

Have you actually tried the link? It's supposed to be for public viewing. Edit, I see you can't access it. Sorry.

OAT · Jul 9, 2023

Dru2 said:
I'm not an insider either. Don't know why it says "Insider" as I provided that feedback from my non-insider PC.

Have you actually tried the link? It's supposed to be for public viewing. Edit, I see you can't access it. Sorry.

@Dru2
I upvoted it and did put in a comment as well. Thanks for bringing that up to the hub.

Dru2 · Jul 9, 2023

OAT said:
@Dru2
I upvoted it and did put in a comment as well. Thanks for bringing that up to the hub.

Thanks

So you were able to see it. Wonder why @kelper couldn't?

Can you explain what you did to see it?

Thanks.

kelper · Jul 9, 2023

I must be a glutton for punishment as I enabled 'diagnostic startup' again in msconfig thinking I would be able to find a quicker solution!
By repeatedly powering down my laptop at the Windows screen (where, as said, login was not possible with PIN and Hello unavailable, I was able to get to the blue screen with recovery options. Restart in safe mode doesn't work, it just takes me to Windows login screen. I was eventually able to get to a command prompt screen but that does not give me admin priveleges so msconfig is not available.

I used the BIOS options to boot from an external HDD with Macrium Reflect and tried the boot repair- it was not successful. So I had to do a full restore.

If you want an evening of happy nerding, pleaase run Msconfig and select 'diagnostic start'. Then reboot. Hours of fun will ensue!

OAT · Jul 9, 2023

Dru2 said:
Thanks

So you were able to see it. Wonder why @kelper couldn't?

Can you explain what you did to see it?

Thanks.

I just clicked on the link you provided.

OAT · Jul 9, 2023

kelper said:
I must be a glutton for punishment as I enabled 'diagnostic startup' again in msconfig thinking I would be able to find a quicker solution!
By repeatedly powering down my laptop at the Windows screen (where, as said, login was not possible with PIN and Hello unavailable, I was able to get to the blue screen with recovery options. Restart in safe mode doesn't work, it just takes me to Windows login screen. I was eventually able to get to a command prompt screen but that does not give me admin priveleges so msconfig is not available.

I used the BIOS options to boot from an external HDD with Macrium Reflect and tried the boot repair- it was not successful. So I had to do a full restore.

If you want an evening of happy nerding, pleaase run Msconfig and select 'diagnostic start'. Then reboot. Hours of fun will ensue!

No !!! My poor friend!

kelper · Jul 9, 2023

I have registered with the insider program but I still can't access Try3's feedback. Will try tomorrow. I have no intention of running insider versions of Windows as my Laptop does not have enough RAM to run virtualisation.

Dru2 · Jul 9, 2023

OAT said:
I just clicked on the link you provided.

Well then, I don't understand why kelper says he can't access it....

kelper said:
My account does not have access to your feedback...perhaps I am not an insider

Anyway, movin on from that.

kelper said:
I must be a glutton for punishment as I enabled 'diagnostic startup' again in msconfig thinking I would be able to find a quicker solution!

I used the BIOS options to boot from an external HDD with Macrium Reflect and tried the boot repair- it was not successful. So I had to do a full restore.

Why not do what I did??? Worked for me, and it required no image or OS re-installs

Dru2 said:
Had to force the system in recovery mode and was able to choose a July 5 Restore Point which solved the issue. I'm now back in the system and both camera and pin are now working as expected.

Dru2 said:
Yeah, that didn't work for me so I had to use the "Reset your PC" trick from the link below....

Recovery options in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn about the recovery options in Windows. Find out how to reset your PC, go back to a previous version of Windows, or use media to reinstall Windows.

support.microsoft.com

then navigate to advanced options where you can try a Restore Point, which worked for me.

Couldn't get Shift+Restart to work. But now per your question it works. The trick is to hold Shift down while clicking restart. But now this is with a working PC, so....

Anyway, if you (or anyone else) do try the msconfig / dianostic start thing, I'd suggest creating a System Restore Point first, so you have something to fall back on when you get stuck

kelper said:
I have registered with the insider program but I still can't access Try3's feedback. Will try tomorrow. I have no intention of running insider versions of Windows as my Laptop does not have enough RAM to run virtualisation.

Wasn't aware that other person provided feedback? I see where "I" posted I provided the feedback. Anyway, I'm not sure why its so hard for you, but oh well.