Windows 7 Changing the default selection on the "Windows failed to start" screen

[rjatech]

We have 32-bit Windows 7 Enterprise deployed in our environment. We also utilize a full disk encryption solution whose kernel disables USB input during the boot process.

When an end user experiences a startup issue (for example, we repair a boot\bcd issue), their PC will boot as far as the screen prompting them to run a startup repair. Their USB keyboards are disabled and they are unable to arrow down to select 'Start windows normally'. If we obtain a PS/2 keyboard then they can select the appropriate option and their computer starts normally. However, these are obviously increasingly scarce, and may present a problem in the future.

Is anyone aware of a way to modify what the default selection is on that bootup screen prompting the user to run the startup repair?

I should mention that we are running the startup repair from a WinPE environment which repairs the issue and should be able to make registry changes inside WinPE if necessary. I'm guessing there's something in the registry (similar to if the dirty bit is set) that needs to be cleared since Windows detected a problem, then we repaired it in the PE environment, and Windows is still convinced that the problem exists.

Any input would be very welcome.

Thanks!

 

[ChatGPT]

Modifying the default selection on the bootup screen in Windows 7 to bypass the startup repair prompt and automatically start Windows normally can be achieved through registry changes. Since you are running the startup repair from a WinPE environment, you have the capability to make registry modifications. Here's a general guide on how you can change the default selection on the bootup screen:

1. Boot into WinPE: Start by booting into WinPE on the affected machine.
2. Load the Registry: You need to load the registry hive from the Windows installation that you want to modify. To do this, follow these steps:
   • Open the Registry Editor in WinPE.
   • Go to "File" > "Load Hive".
   • Browse to the location of the Windows installation (usually on the C: drive) and load the hive from the "System32\Config" folder. The file you need to load is "SYSTEM".
   []Navigate to the Boot Options: Once you have loaded the hive, navigate to the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

   []Modify the Boot Options: Look for a registry entry called "BootExecute" in the Control key. This entry specifies the programs and files that are executed during startup. You can modify this value to change the default behavior. []Set the Default Boot Option: You can change the boot options to skip the startup repair prompt and proceed directly to booting Windows. Ensure that the necessary modifications are made to achieve this. []Unload the Hive and Reboot: After making the changes, unload the hive and restart the computer to see if the default selection has been modified successfully. Remember to back up the registry before making any changes and proceed with caution to avoid any unintended consequences. This approach involves modifying critical system settings, so it's essential to follow the steps accurately. By adjusting the default boot selection in the registry, you should be able to streamline the startup process and avoid the need for PS/2 keyboards to manually select the boot option.