A user's Windows 10 laptop fails to boot. After POST, an error appears stating that Windows cannot start because critical system files (for example, winload.efi) are missing or corrupt. The user needs the computer back in service but must keep existing files and installed applications intact.
Which of the following actions would BEST resolve the issue?
Boot to Windows Recovery Environment and run offline sfc /scannow
Reimage the workstation from a clean corporate image
Perform an in-place repair installation of Windows using installation media
Boot from Windows installation media and run Startup Repair
Running an in-place repair installation (also called a repair upgrade) from Windows installation media reinstalls the core Windows files, boot components, and registry hives while offering the option Keep personal files and apps. Selecting this option replaces the missing or corrupted system files yet leaves the user's data, applications, and settings untouched, restoring the computer to a bootable, functional state.
Startup Repair or SFC can sometimes fix boot problems, but either may fail if multiple protected files are gone. Re-imaging would certainly work but would wipe applications, causing additional downtime.
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What is a repair installation of Windows?
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What are critical system files in Windows?
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Why might running a virus scan not resolve the boot issue?