The problem started after I "cleaned registry" using ccleaner (shouldn't have, I get that NOW) and also cleaned temp files etc. through ccleaner. After doing the above, when I tried to open my browser I got an error (can't recall exactly what the error was, all I remember about the error is "the application failed to start" with an error code that was like 0x00------b). I then restarted the PC, but it was stuck at a black screen, so I pressed the reboot button. When windows booted up, I encountered a black screen with no cursor just after the windows logo disappeared. I was able to resolved THAT black screen by doing start up repair which I opened by hard resetting while windows logo was showing, twice and then the advanced options having reset pc, troubleshooting etc came up.
After doing start up repair I am able to log on to windows but after signing in, again black screen although this time with a cursor came up. I was able to open task manager but explorer.exe was nowhere to be found in running processes. I tried to start it by opening explorer.exe in new task, but it won't start up. I can open browser though, even play video files using vlc. I tried running sfc /scannow in CMD, but it reports no errors. But when I ran the command in cmd from troubleshooting menu, it said it can't check file integrity. I also ran chkdsk and it found errors and resolved them too, but the problem still persists. I can open safe mode though and windows explorer is working fine in safe mode. I also tried system restore but it reported it couldn't access files. I have bitdefender total security 2016
Another thing, CCleaner made a backup of registry before cleaning and merging that also didn't solve the problem. I also checked that under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon , the shell key had default value of explorer.exe .
My current windows version is Windows 10 enterprise build 14316.
I have an image file of build 14295, which I can access from safe mode. So if any corrupt files needs replacing, I can do that maybe. But I don't know which files.
Resetting PC or reinstalling windows is my very last option. I also don't have a pendrive with me now and won't have until another 2 days. So can't reinstall for now. I was hoping maybe some corrupt files can be restored from the image file.
Even if that is not possible, at least tell me how to open settings app in safe mode or from "new task" in task manager so that I can download the new insider build (14332 I think) and maybe the files will be repaired.
After doing start up repair I am able to log on to windows but after signing in, again black screen although this time with a cursor came up. I was able to open task manager but explorer.exe was nowhere to be found in running processes. I tried to start it by opening explorer.exe in new task, but it won't start up. I can open browser though, even play video files using vlc. I tried running sfc /scannow in CMD, but it reports no errors. But when I ran the command in cmd from troubleshooting menu, it said it can't check file integrity. I also ran chkdsk and it found errors and resolved them too, but the problem still persists. I can open safe mode though and windows explorer is working fine in safe mode. I also tried system restore but it reported it couldn't access files. I have bitdefender total security 2016
Another thing, CCleaner made a backup of registry before cleaning and merging that also didn't solve the problem. I also checked that under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon , the shell key had default value of explorer.exe .
My current windows version is Windows 10 enterprise build 14316.
I have an image file of build 14295, which I can access from safe mode. So if any corrupt files needs replacing, I can do that maybe. But I don't know which files.
Resetting PC or reinstalling windows is my very last option. I also don't have a pendrive with me now and won't have until another 2 days. So can't reinstall for now. I was hoping maybe some corrupt files can be restored from the image file.
Even if that is not possible, at least tell me how to open settings app in safe mode or from "new task" in task manager so that I can download the new insider build (14332 I think) and maybe the files will be repaired.