Solving the Windows Boot Loop Issue

Is your computer stuck on "Loading Files" for what seems like forever? Don't worry, there are solutions to this problem. Try out one or more of the nine methods below to get your computer up and running again:

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Overview of "Windows is loading files"

"When I try to run Startup Repair on my Dell laptop with Windows 10, the system gets stuck in a reboot loop at the loading circles screen. It keeps showing me the 'Windows is loading files' screen. After the loading process completes, it takes me back to the laptop's startup page and then again to the 'Windows is loading files' screen, and so on."

A situation similar to the "Windows is loading files" issue occurs when you attempt to reinstall Windows, and you're met with a black screen displaying the "Windows is loading files" message, but the loading spinner gets stuck and never progresses. Typically, Windows failing to load properly can be caused by various reasons. Following this issue, users might also encounter other problems like a black screen freeze, random computer freezing, a boot repair loop, or disk boot failure.

Possible reasons

The Windows boot process is something that happens every time you turn on your computer. Normally, it happens very quickly, so you don't even notice it. If your computer is getting stuck here, however, there may be an issue with your computer.

When you try to boot your computer or reinstall Windows, you might get stuck in a "Loading Files" loop. If you're encountering this problem when trying to start up your computer, it's likely because your BOOTMGR file is corrupted. (BOOTMGR, or the Windows Boot Manager, is a small program that helps your operating system start up.) If you're encountering this issue while trying to reinstall Windows 7 or Windows Vista, the problem might be with your computer's drivers.

Fix the Looping Loading Files Issue in Windows 11/10/8/7

Regardless of whether the “Windows is loading files” loop is due to a damaged BOOTMGR or a driver issue, you can apply the solutions below to fix it.

Method 1: Run Startup Repair

We recommend that you try using the Windows installation disc to run a Startup Repair first.

Step 1: Insert the Windows 7/Vista installation disc into your computer.

Step 2: Boot the computer from the installation DVD.

Step 3: On the Welcome to Windows screen, choose Repair your computer.

Step 4: Select the corresponding operating system. In the System Recovery Options, choose 'Startup Repair'.

Step 5: Wait for the process to complete, and then restart your computer.

If Startup Repair doesn't fix your computer getting stuck on the “Loading Windows Files” screen, try the System Restore option next.

Method 2: Update your computer's drivers

Device drivers are the communicators between the Windows operating system and your devices (motherboard, graphics card, sound card, printer, keyboard, mouse, etc.). Computer and hardware manufacturers usually provide a set of drivers for their different hardware devices, such as on a driver CD or DVD. You can also fix driver-related issues by updating your drivers. To update your drivers on a computer that won't start, you'll need to enter Safe Mode. Safe Mode boots your computer using only basic drivers and services, limiting the Windows operating system to just its core functions, which can be useful for troubleshooting.

Step 1: Restart your computer. As it's booting up, press "F8" once every second until you see the Windows logo.

Step 2: You'll see the “Advanced startup options” menu. Choose “Safe Mode.”

Step 3: Insert the CD with the drivers and search for the drivers.

Step 4. In the driver folder, run the .exe or installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver. If there is only an .inf file, you can also use that to install the driver.

Method 3: Use the Windows Repair Utility

A secure way to fix Windows 10 issues without losing data is by using the manual Windows Data Recovery Service. A professional technical team can assist you in resolving any system startup errors, including system crashes, blue screens, black screens, and more.

Windows Recovery Service Tool

Contact our experts for a free assessment.

Get one-on-one consultation with our Data Recovery Tool experts for manual recovery services. After a free diagnosis, we offer the following services:

• Fix Windows boot issues, including blue screen errors
• Solve Windows errors and configure Windows environments
• Restore systems when they fail to start
• Optimize Windows computers for improved performance

Method 4: Check Your Hard Drive and Memory

A problematic hard drive or RAM stick can also cause the “Windows is loading files” loop. If you have multiple hard drives or RAM sticks in your computer, try removing any extra devices, then restart your computer.

Method 5: Reset or update the BIOS

According to user feedback, resetting the BIOS to its default settings or updating it to the latest version can also be helpful. Here, we'll show you how to reset the BIOS:

Step 1: Restart your computer.

Step 2: Press the correct key to enter the BIOS. (The key to access the BIOS will vary depending on your computer.)

Step 3: Look for an option to "Load Defaults." It may be called Load Optimal Defaults, Load BIOS Defaults, Load Default Settings, Load Setup Defaults, or something similar.

Step 4: Save the changes and exit the BIOS.

Method 6: Enter Safe Mode

If you installed a new program or driver on your computer right before the “loading files” error started appearing, try uninstalling it in Safe Mode.

Step 1: Restart your computer. As it boots up, press "F8" once every second until you see the Windows logo.

Step 2: You'll then see the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. From this menu, select “Safe Mode.”

Step 3: Uninstall any suspicious programs or drivers that might be causing your PC to get stuck on the "Loading Files" screen.

4. After troubleshooting, repeat Step 1, and then select Start Windows Normally under Advanced Startup Options.

Method 7: Run Bootrec

Bootrec, also referred to as the Bootrec.exe tool, is a utility provided by Microsoft within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). It is used to repair the Master Boot Record (MBR), boot sector, Boot Configuration Data (BCD), and boot.ini when your computer fails to start.

Step 1: Insert the Windows 7/Vista installation CD into your computer.

Step 2: Boot the computer from the installation DVD.

Step 3: Select “Command Prompt.”

Step 4: Enter each of the following commands one at a time:

• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /scanos
• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /rebuildbcd
• Exit

Step 5: Restart your computer.

Method 8: Run Chkdsk

CHKDSK is a command that can check and fix errors found on a disk. As mentioned, a problematic hard drive can lead to the “Windows is loading files” error. Thus, running CHKDSK to fix disk errors can be useful.

Step 1: Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc into your computer's CD/DVD drive.

Step 2: Boot the computer from the installation DVD.

Step 3: Select “Command Prompt.”

Step 4: Type chkdsk c: /f and press “Enter” (if your system partition is not C:, replace “c” with the actual system partition letter).

Step 5: Exit and restart your computer.

Method 9: Reinstall Windows

If the above methods fail to fix the “Windows is loading files” error, your last resort would be to reinstall Windows. Generally, reinstalling Windows won't cause data loss. But in very rare cases, reinstalling the OS might lead to data loss from the system partition. Hence, it's necessary to ensure the safety of data on the system partition before you proceed. Here, the Data Recovery Wizard tool can help you access data without an operating system! You can use it to rescue data and save it to a secure location like an external hard drive or USB device, even if your computer fails to boot into Windows.

Please download the bootable data recovery software and follow the guidelines below to fix your issue.

Export your data before fixing the 'Windows is loading files' loop by reinstalling Windows:

Step 1: Create a Bootable Disk

Launch Data Recovery Wizard, select “Crashed PC Recovery” and click “Start Recovery”.

Select an empty USB drive to create the bootable drive, then click “Create.”

Warning: The Data Recovery Wizard will erase all data from the USB drive when creating the bootable disk. Back up important data beforehand.

Step 2: Boot your computer from the bootable USB drive

Attach the bootable disk to the non-booting computer and change the computer's boot order in the BIOS. For most users, this will involve restarting the computer and pressing F2 as it boots up to enter the BIOS.

Set your computer to boot from “Removable Device” (your bootable USB drive) instead of the hard drive. Press “F10” to save and exit.

Restart from the bootable USB

Step 3: Recover data from a crashed system/computer

After launching the tool – Data Recovery Wizard – from the bootable disk, select the drive you wish to scan for all lost files. Preview and recover the desired files to a secure location.

Now you can reinstall Windows without fear of losing your data.

Step 1: Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc into your computer's CD/DVD drive.

Step 2: Boot the computer from the installation DVD.

Step 3: Choose a keyboard layout, and then select your preferred language. Click “Next.”

Step 4: Click on “Install Now.”

Step 5: Follow the Wizard to complete the installation process.

Fix "Windows is loading files" by Reinstalling Windows

Bottom line

The "Loading Files" error typically occurs on computers running Windows 7 or Windows Vista. Driver issues and a corrupted BOOTMGR are the two main culprits behind the problem. All of the above solutions are worth a shot. If you're worried about data loss, don't hesitate to use the Data Recovery Wizard tool to access and restore your computer files when the PC fails to boot.