How to Disable Automatic Repair in Windows 10

How to Disable Automatic Repair in Windows 10

You can disable automatic system repair during Windows 10 boot using the command line bcdedit, registry editor, or Windows recovery environment. For your specific problem with an empty RegBack directory, you’ll need to restore system files and configure boot parameters.

Table of Contents

• Basic Methods for Disabling Automatic Recovery
• Solving the Empty RegBack Directory Issue
• Additional Methods for Resolving Boot Loop
• Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Situation
• Preventing Similar Problems in the Future

Basic Methods for Disabling Automatic Recovery

Using Command Line

The most reliable way to disable automatic repair is to use the bcdedit utility from the Windows recovery environment:

1. Boot into the Windows recovery environment (via installation disk or boot menu)
2. Open command prompt
3. Execute the command:
   bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled no
   

4. Restart the system

This method truly disables automatic repair and allows the system to boot without attempting self-repair. Source: NinjaOne

Through Windows Registry

If you have access to the system, you can change settings through the registry:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit and press Enter
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
3. Find the BootEnabled parameter (if it doesn’t exist, create it)
4. Set the value to 0 to disable automatic repair
5. Restart the system

Important: This method requires administrator privileges and may be unavailable with serious boot problems.

Solving the Empty RegBack Directory Issue

An empty C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack directory is a common cause of cyclic reboots. Here’s how to fix it:

Restoring Registry Backups

1. Boot into the Windows recovery environment
2. Open command prompt
3. Execute the following commands:
   md d:\windows
   xcopy c:\windows d:\windows /e /h /c /i /k
   cd d:\windows\system32\config
   ren regback regback.old
   

4. Copy working registry files from the main directory:
   copy sam regback\
   copy system regback\
   copy security regback\
   copy software regback\
   

This method restores registry backups that are necessary for proper system operation. Source: BleepingComputer

Creating Manual Backups

If the previous method didn’t work, create backups from current working files:

copy sam d:\regback\
copy system d:\regback\
copy security d:\regback\
copy software d:\regback\

Additional Methods for Resolving Boot Loop

Disabling Automatic Reboot on Errors

In the recovery menu, press 9 or F9 to disable automatic reboot on failures. This will allow you to see error messages and determine the exact cause of the problem. Source: EaseUS

Using CHKDSK to Check the Disk

Perform a full disk check for errors:

chkdsk C: /F /R

This command checks the file system and repairs bad sectors, which can resolve boot issues. Source: EaseUS

Clearing the SoftwareDistribution Folder

Windows update issues can cause cyclic reboots. Clear the update folder:

1. Boot into safe mode
2. Open command prompt as administrator
3. Execute:
   net stop wuauserv
   net stop bits
   ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   net start wuauserv
   net start bits
   

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Situation

Given your specific problem (empty RegBack, important passwords in Chrome), here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Restoring Registry Backups

1. Boot from the Windows 10 installation disk
2. Select “Troubleshoot” → “Advanced options”
3. Open command prompt
4. Execute the RegBack restoration commands (described above)

Step 2: Disabling Automatic Repair

1. In the same command prompt, execute:
   bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled no
   bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
   

2. Restart

Step 3: Restoring System Files

1. If the system boots, open command prompt as administrator
2. Execute:
   sfc /scannow
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   

Step 4: Saving Important Data

1. As soon as the system becomes accessible, immediately export passwords from Chrome:
   • Go to chrome://settings/passwords
   • Export passwords to a file
2. Create a full system backup

Preventing Similar Problems in the Future

Regularly Creating Restore Points

Create restore points before installing major updates or new software:

1. Control Panel → System and Security → System Protection
2. Select a drive and click “Create”
3. Give the restore point a descriptive name

Automatic Backup Creation

Set up automatic backup of important data:

1. Use the built-in “File History” tool
2. Consider cloud solutions like OneDrive or Google Drive
3. Regularly export passwords from browsers

Monitoring System Status

Monitor system status using:

• System file checks (sfc /scannow)
• Event monitoring in “Event Viewer”
• Regular cleanup of temporary files

Sources

1. How to Enable or Disable Automatic Repair in Windows 10 - NinjaOne
2. FIX: Automatic Repair Couldn’t Repair Your PC on Windows - EaseUS
3. How to Fix Windows 10 Boot Loop - EaseUS
4. Stuck on Automatic Repair loop - BleepingComputer
5. regback now has a working reg mod to maintain it - BleepingComputer

Conclusion

• Disable automatic repair using the command bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled no
• An empty RegBack directory requires restoring registry backups from the recovery environment
• To save important Chrome passwords, you need to immediately export them when restoring the system
• Regular creation of restore points and backups will prevent similar problems in the future
• By following the step-by-step instructions, you can restore access to the system and save important data