Windows Is Loading Files Stuck

My nice, well crafted reference machine will not boot at all! I'm trying to run a sysprep and capture task sequence (MDT 2010 and WDS off server 2012). I ran litetouch.vbs off the deployment share and selected the task, but upon reboot the machine hangs right here. With each reboot it continues to attempt the sysprep and capture task.

  1. Stuck At Windows Is Loading Files Windows 7
  2. Windows Is Loading Files Loop
  3. Windows 7 Iso File Download Free

I'm loathe to spend a few more hours updating another one. I haven't been able to interrupt the boot using F8, and to be honest I'm not handy enough with Windows PE to diagnose this problem, but I can network boot to a WinPE image.

How can I diagnose and/or fix this problem from Windows PE? Are there any logs that I can access that might give me a clue?

Aug 2, 2016 - Are you troubled by Windows stuck at loading files? Have you found any solution to Windows is loading files? If not, this post tells how to easily. Ok so since upgrading from 7 to 10 file explorer has been a absolute nightmare! Everything was either incredibly slow, didn't happen or only partially load. After enduring this to this day I have decided enough is enough and started diagnosing by limiting the startup services using MSconfig. Jan 3, 2019 - If Windows 10 install is stuck on account, logo with dots, logo with no spinning dots, Getting ready. Windows 10 install stuck on Loading files.

For what it's worth, this is a VM running in VMWare Workstation 9.0 and I'm using an x64 boot image.

Update:I shutdown the WDS server to make sure it wasn't loading files from it still. Seems it's not. Fixing it from the server side is likely impossible.

Also I'm trying to stand this WDS server up. The configuration is entirely new. So it's likely that I did screw up something on the server side. I'll figure that out later. What I'd like to do now is just get this reference VM booting again.

Tanner Faulkner
Tanner FaulknerTanner Faulkner
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3 Answers

There are several log files that MDT creates during various stages of the deployment/capture problem. The TechNet article ‘Understanding Failures and Log Files’ will help you find them so that you can see what errors may be present. Another tip for MDT’s log files is to set the rule SLShare='path to deployment share' in your deployment share rules (customsettings.ini file). This will copy all of the log files to that location, making it easy to collect and view the log files for all of your deployments.

I also agree with MDT Guy about the network drivers. This VMWare knowledgebase article will help you extract the drivers from the VMWare Tools ISO. Then you will need to add them to the driver store and include them when you regenerate the boot images.

Lastly, the Deliver and Deploy Windows 8 page has the latest download link to the new version of MDT (2013) and many articles and videos to help you with deploying Windows.

dwoltersdwolters

Update: Instead of trying to boot into WinPE by running Litetouch.vbs from the windows shell, try booting directly to the CD? When Lite touch is tying load the boot image to the local disc, perhaps there is an issue with the VM? Did you ever find the log files? WinPE has pretty robust logging...

I've seen drivers cause problems like this. Ensure that the following is set in your answer file:

DriverSelectionProfile=NothingDriverInjectionMode=ALLDriverGroup001=NAMEOFOSxARCH%Manufactuer%%Model%

The real trick to it is to separate win7 drivers from winpe drivers. the only thing that should be in the winpe folder are network drivers.

For example: I keep all my 64 bit win7 HP 6150 drivers in the deployment workbench as

OutofBoxDriversWindows_7x64Hewlett-PackardHP ProBook 6150

Try a generic MDT boot disc? Also, you may have better luck segregating your winPE drivers from your windows 7 drivers like suggested above.

If you're sure it's not a driver problem, test this image on a real workstation, it could be a problem with the VM.

WindowsMDT GuyMDT Guy
3,6351 gold badge14 silver badges37 bronze badges

My reference image did that because I created it from the disk instead of using a task sequence.I then imported the base image and recreated the reference image then the capturing worked.

I did notice that when using the task sequence the System reserved partition is 500mb instead of 100mb , I think the extra space there solved it for me

Stefan HodgmanStefan Hodgman

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Overview of 'Windows is loading files'

'When I run a startup repair on my Windows 10 Dell laptop, the system was stuck at loading circle in a reboot loop. It kept showing the 'Windows is loading files' screen. When the loading process was finished, it went back on the laptop starting page and went to the Windows is loading files screen again and again.'

A similar situation of the 'Windows is loading files' issue is that when you try to reinstall Windows, you may get a black screen that shows you the 'Windows is loading files' message but the loading wheel is frozen and never moved on. Usually, Windows couldn't load correctly can happen for various reasons. And following the issue, users may also encounter other problems like the black screen of death, computer freezing randomly, startup repair loop, disk boot failure, etc.

Possible Causes

The Windows loading process is a process that will happen each time you start your computer. Generally, it will go through so quickly that you cannot even notice it. But if you are stuck on the screen, there must be something wrong with your computer.

The 'Windows is loading files' loop may occur when you try to start your computer or reinstall Windows. If you come across this issue when you start your computer, it may result from a damaged BOOTMGR. (BOOTMGR, Windows Boot Manager, is a small piece of software that helps your Windows operating system start.) While if it occurs when you try to reinstall Windows 7 or Windows Vista, the culprit may be your computer drivers.

Fixes for Windows is Loading Files Loop

Important
Before starting, note that you should have a corresponding Windows installation media, be it a bootable USB drive, CD or DVD disc. And make sure the bootable disk is set up as the first in the BIOS boot sequence. If you don't have the CD/DVD or USB boot drive, visit Microsoft's page about how to create Windows 10 installation media (www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10) for help.

Whether the 'Windows is loading files' loop is due to BOOTMGR damage or problematic computer drivers, you can apply the following solutions to fix it.

Method 1. Run Startup Repair

The first tip we recommend you try is to perform Startup Repair with the Windows installation disc.

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc to your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Select 'Repair your computer' in the Windows Welcome screen.

Step 4. Choose your corresponding OS. When you see the System Recovery Options, choose 'Startup Repair'.

Step 5. Wait for the repairing process to finish. After that, restart your computer.

If 'Startup Repair' cannot fix your PC that is stuck at the 'Windows is loading files' screen, continue to try the 'System Restore' option.

Method 2. Update Computer Drivers

Device drivers server as the communication media between your Windows OS and the device (motherboard, video card, sound card, printer, keyboard, mouse, etc.). Computer and hardware manufacturers always include a group of drivers for different hardware devices, like driver CD or DVD. The driver related problems can also be fixed by updating the drivers. To update drivers on a computer that cannot boot, you need to enter the Safe Mode. Safe Mode starts your computer with only necessary drives and services. By doing so, it limits your Windows operations to basic functions, which can serve as a troubleshooting function.

Step 1. Restart your computer. Once it starts, press 'F8' in 1-second intervals until you see the Windows logo.

Step 2. Then you will see the menu of 'Advanced Boot Options'. Under it, choose 'Safe Mode'.

Step 3. Insert your driver CD/DVD and find the drivers.

Step 4. Run the .exe file or setup file in the driver folder and follow to install the driver. If there is a .inf file only, you can install the driver using the .inf file.

Method 3. Check HDD and RAM

A problematic hard disk or RAM is also likely to cause the 'Windows is loading files' loop. If you have more than one hard disk or RAM memory stick on your computer, you can try to remove the additional devices and restart your computer.

Method 4. Reset BIOS or Update BIOS

According to user feedback, it's also helpful to reset BIOS to its default settings or updating BIOS to the latest version. Here we will show you the way to reset BIOS:

Step 1. Restart your computer.

Step 2. Press the proper key to enter BIOS. (Depending on the computer you are using, the keys to enter BIOS vary.)

Step 3. Find the 'Setup Defaults' option. It may be called Load Default, Load BIOS Defaults, Load Default Settings, Load Setup Default or something similar.

Step 4. Save the changes and exit BIOS.

Method 5. Boot into Safe Mode

If you have recently installed new programs or drives on your computer before the 'Windows is loading files' error happens, you can take a chance to remove the program or drive by booting into Safe Mode.

Step 1. Restart your computer. Once it starts, press 'F8' in 1-second intervals until you see the Windows logo.

Step 2. Then you will see the menu of 'Advanced Boot Options'. Under it, choose 'Safe Mode'.

Step 3. Uninstall the suspicious programs or drivers that lead to your PC stuck at 'Windows is loading files'.

Step 4. When you have finished troubleshooting, repeat the first step and choose 'Start Windows Normally' under the 'Advanced Boot Options'.

Tip
There are 'Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)' and 'Disable automatic restart on system failure' options under Advanced Boot Options. You can also try to apply these options to have a try.

Method 6. Run bootrec

Bootrec, also called bootrec.exe utility, is a tool provided by Microsoft in Windows Recovery Environment. When your computer fails to start, bootrec.exe can be used to fix the Master Boot Record (MBR), Boot Sector, Boot Configuration (BCD), and boot.ini.

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc to your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Chose 'Command Prompt'.

Step 4. Enter the following command one by one:

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

Step 5. Restart your computer.

Method 7. Run Chkdsk

CHKDSK is a command that can check and repair error founded in a disk. As mentioned above, a problematic hard disk is likely to lead to the 'Windows is loading files' error. Thus, it is useful to run CHKDSK to repair your disk errors.

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc to your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Chose 'Command Prompt'.

Step 4. Type chkdsk c: /f and hit 'Enter'. (Replace 'c' with your system partition.)

Step 5. Enter exit and restart your computer.

Method 8. Reinstall Windows

If none of the solutions above works to fix the 'Windows is loading files' error, the last solution provided is to reinstall Windows. Generally speaking, reinstalling Windows won't lead to data loss. But in rare cases, OS reinstallation may cause data loss to your system partition. Thus, it's necessary to keep the data on your system partition safe before the operation. Here EaseUS bootable data recovery software can help access data without OS! With it, you can rescue data and save it to a safe place like an external disk or USB device, even when your PC won't boot into Windows.

To export data before fixing Windows is loading files stuck loop by reinstalling Windows:

Stuck At Windows Is Loading Files Windows 7

Step 1. Create a bootable disk

Prepare an empty USB. If you have important data on it, copy the data to another device. When you create a bootable disk, the data on the USB will be erased. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard WinPE Edition will help you create a bootable disk.

  • Connect the USB drive to PC, launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard WinPE Edition.
  • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard WinPE Edition will recognize your CD/DVD device or USB drive automatically. You can also export the ISO file.
  • Select the USB drive and click 'Proceed' to create a bootable disk.

Step 2. Boot from the bootable USB

  • Connect the bootable disk to PC that won't boot and change your computer boot sequence in BIOS. For most users, it works well when they restart their computer and press F2 at the same time to enter BIOS.
  • Set to boot the PC from 'Removable Devices' (bootable USB disk) or 'CD-ROM Drive' (bootable CD/DVD) beyond Hard Drive. Press 'F10' to save and exit.

Step 3. Recover files/data from a PC/laptop hard drive that won't boot

When you boot from the USB, you are able to run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard from the WinPE bootable disk.

Windows Is Loading Files Loop

Stuck
  • Select the disk you want to scan to find all your lost files.
  • Click Scan to start the scanning process.
  • Recover data from the computer or laptop.

After the scan completed. You can preview all recoverable files, select the targeted files and click 'Recover' button to restore your files. You'd better save all of the recovered data to another place to avoid data overwriting.

Now you can reinstall Windows without worrying about any data loss:

Step 1. Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc to your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Windows 7 Iso File Download Free

Step 3. Select a keyboard method and choose a language you prefer. Click 'Next'.

Step 4. Choose 'Install Now'.

Step 5. Follow the wizard to finish the installation process.

The Bottom Line

The 'Windows is loading files' error generally occurs on computers running Windows 7 or Windows Vista. Driver issues and corrupted BOOTMGR are the two main causes of the problem. All the solutions above are worth trying. If you are worried about data loss, don't hesitate to use EaseUS data recovery software to access and recover your computer files when your computer cannot boot.