How to repair: Windows 10 freezes on the “Hi There” screen

  • The Windows 10 installation process is pretty complicated in the background, as simple as it is in the foreground.
  • There have been several scenarios where the installation is stuck at the Hi screen.
  • The user can’t enter information in the specified fields and the screen doesn’t continue.
  • Some of the reasons for this abnormal behavior are corrupted configuration image, incorrect boot configuration, etc.
  • To solve this problem, there are several options you can try.

 

Windows 10 users have encountered a frustrating issue where their system freezes on the “Hi There” screen. In this article, we delve into the underlying causes of this problem and provide effective solutions to help you resolve it. Get ready to bid farewell to those pesky freezes and smoothly sail through your Windows 10 setup!

Perform a power cycle: Disconnect all external devices, including USB drives and printers, and then hold the power button for 10-15 seconds to turn off the computer. Afterward, restart the computer and check if the freezing issue is resolved.

Why is Windows 10 stuck on the Welcome screen?

If your Windows 10 is stuck on the Welcome screen, there are a few solutions you can try. First, disconnect any external devices and restart your PC. If the issue persists, try booting into Safe Mode by pressing the Shift key while selecting Restart from the power options. If that doesn’t work, you can try using the Automatic Repair feature. To do this, boot your computer from a Windows installation media or ISO image file, select Repair your computer, and then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Automatic Repair. If none of these methods work, you can try repairing the boot configuration data (BCD) using the Command Prompt. Enter the following commands in order: ‘bootrec /fixmbr’, ‘bootrec /fixboot’, and ‘bootrec /rebuildbcd’. Restart your computer after executing these commands.

Windows 10 freezing on the ‘Hi there’ screen can be frustrating, but don’t worry, there are solutions to fix it and get your system running smoothly again.

How can I fix Windows 10 getting stuck on the Welcome screen?

If your Windows 10 is getting stuck on the Welcome screen, there are a few steps you can take to fix the issue.

First, try restarting your PC and see if that resolves the problem. If not, you can try the following method:

1. On the Welcome screen, press and hold the Shift key while selecting the Power icon, then choose Restart.
2. This will take you to the Windows Setup screen. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options.
3. From the list of options, select Command Prompt.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This will scan your system files for any errors and repair them if necessary.
5. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer and see if the issue is resolved.

If these steps don’t work, you may need to consider a more advanced solution such as reinstalling Windows or seeking assistance from a professional. Remember to back up your important files before attempting any major changes to your operating system.

When Windows 10 freezes on the ‘Hi there’ screen, try restarting your computer in safe mode and running a system scan to identify and repair any potential issues.

Before we start — Boot in Safe Mode

To fix Windows 10 freezes on the Hi There screen, you can try booting your computer in Safe Mode. This troubleshooting method can help identify and resolve any software conflicts that may be causing the issue.

Here’s how to boot in Safe Mode:

1. Start your computer and wait for the Windows Setup screen to appear.
2. Press and hold the Shift key while selecting the Power button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. Choose Restart from the options that appear.
4. After your computer restarts, you’ll see a blue screen with options. Select Troubleshoot.
5. In the Troubleshoot menu, choose Advanced options.
6. Select Startup Settings.
7. Click Restart.
8. Once your computer restarts again, you’ll see a list of options. Press the corresponding number key to enter Safe Mode.

By booting in Safe Mode, you can bypass any problematic software or drivers that might be causing your computer to freeze. This can help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue more effectively.

python
import time
import pyautogui

def repair_windows_freeze():
# Move the mouse to prevent screen lock
pyautogui.moveTo(1, 1)

# Wait for the "Hi there" screen to appear
time.sleep(10) # Adjust this delay as needed

# Simulate keyboard input to bypass the freeze
pyautogui.typewrite(['enter'])

# Wait for the system to boot up
time.sleep(30) # Adjust this delay as needed

# Optional: Add additional steps to troubleshoot or repair the freeze issue

# Call the repair function
repair_windows_freeze()

This code uses the `pyautogui` library to simulate mouse movement and keyboard input to interact with the Windows 10 interface. It moves the mouse to prevent screen lock, waits for the “Hi there” screen to appear, and then simulates pressing the Enter key to bypass the freeze. Additionally, you can add further steps within the `repair_windows_freeze` function to troubleshoot or repair the issue.

Please note that this code is a basic example and may not be a comprehensive solution for all cases of Windows 10 freezing on the “Hi there” screen. It’s always recommended to consult official documentation or seek professional assistance for troubleshooting and resolving such issues.

Method 1. Startup Repair

Method 1: Startup Repair

If your Windows 10 freezes on the Hi There screen during installation or upgrade, you can try using the Startup Repair tool to resolve the issue. This method is especially helpful if your computer keeps freezing or if you encounter a blue screen (BSOD) error.

To perform Startup Repair:

1. Start your computer and wait for the Windows 10 Welcome window to appear.
2. Press and hold the power button to force your computer to shut down.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 two more times to trigger the automatic repair process.
4. On the third restart, the Automatic Repair screen will appear.
5. Click on the “Advanced options” button.
6. In the Advanced options menu, select “Startup Repair”.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.

If Startup Repair doesn’t fix the issue, you can try other troubleshooting methods or seek further assistance from Windows support forums or professional fixes.

Remember to create a backup of your important files before attempting any repairs or modifications to your system.

Method 2. Run the System File Checker

Method 2: Run the System File Checker

The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that scans and repairs corrupt or missing system files. Running the SFC can help resolve freezing issues on the Hi There screen in Windows 10.

To run the SFC:

1. On the Hi There screen, press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt window.
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete. If any issues are found, the SFC will attempt to repair them automatically.
4. After the scan finishes, close the Command Prompt window by typing exit and pressing Enter.
5. Restart your computer and check if the freezing issue on the Hi There screen is resolved.

If the issue persists, you may need to consider other troubleshooting methods or seek assistance from Microsoft support forums or articles.

Please note that these instructions are specific to Windows 10 and may not apply to other operating systems or device setups.

Method 3. Run the DISM command

Method 3: Run the DISM Command

If your Windows 10 freezes on the Hi There screen during installation or upgrade, you can try running the DISM command to fix the issue.

1. Start your computer and let it reach the Hi There screen.
2. Press the Shift + F10 keys to open the command prompt.
3. In the command prompt, type dism /image:C:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions and press Enter.
4. Wait for the command to complete the process.
5. Once done, close the command prompt window.
6. Restart your computer and check if the freezing issue is resolved.

Note: The command mentioned above assumes that your Windows installation is on the C: drive. If it is on a different drive, replace “C:” with the appropriate drive letter.

Running the DISM command helps fix issues with the Windows setup image and resolves freezing problems during the installation or upgrade process.

Method 4. Disconnect all USB devices

  • Disconnect all USB devices from your computer.
  • Remove any external hard drives or flash drives connected to your PC.
    Disconnect all USB devices from your computer.
Remove any external hard drives or flash drives connected to your PC.
  • Unplug any printers or scanners that are connected via USB.
  • If you have any USB hubs connected, unplug them as well.
  • Make sure no USB peripherals such as keyboards, mice, or game controllers are connected.
  • After disconnecting all USB devices, restart your computer.
    Make sure no USB peripherals such as keyboards, mice, or game controllers are connected.
After disconnecting all USB devices, restart your computer.

Method 5. Disable Fast Startup

Method 5: Disable Fast Startup

If your Windows 10 freezes on the “Hi There” screen during setup, disabling Fast Startup can help resolve the issue. Fast Startup is a feature that reduces the boot time by allowing your computer to start faster after shutting down. However, it can sometimes cause conflicts during the installation process, leading to freezing or other problems.

To disable Fast Startup, follow these steps:

1. Restart your computer and boot into the Windows 10 Welcome screen.
2. Press and hold the Shift key and select Restart at the bottom of the screen.
3. On the boot options menu, select Troubleshoot, and then Advanced options.
4. Choose Startup Settings and click Restart.
5. When your computer restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Press 4 or F4 to enable Safe Mode.
6. Once in Safe Mode, press the Windows key + X and select Power Options.
7. Click on Choose what the power buttons do on the left side of the window.
8. Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
9. Scroll down and uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended).
10. Click Save changes and exit.

By following these steps, you can disable Fast Startup and potentially resolve freezing issues during the Windows 10 setup process.

Method 6. Disconnect from the internet

Method 6: Disconnect from the internet

If your Windows 10 freezes on the Hi There screen during setup, try disconnecting from the internet. This method can help resolve issues related to network connectivity.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. On the Hi There screen, press and hold the Shift key, then press the F10 key to open the command prompt.

2. Type “ipconfig /release” and press Enter. This will release your current IP address.

3. Type “ipconfig /renew” and press Enter. This will request a new IP address.

4. Disconnect your computer from the internet by unplugging the Ethernet cable or turning off Wi-Fi.

5. Continue with the setup process and check if the issue persists.

Disconnecting from the internet can help bypass any network-related obstacles that may be causing the freeze. Once you’ve completed the setup, you can reconnect to the internet and proceed with the installation process.

Note: If you’re using a Lenovo laptop or Lenovo IdeaPad, there have been reports of freezing issues during Windows installation. If you encounter this problem, consider updating your BIOS or seeking assistance from Lenovo support.

Remember to try other methods listed in this article if the freezing issue persists.

[Reference to Windows 11 or other relevant topics if necessary]

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Mark Ginter is a tech blogger with a passion for all things gadgets and gizmos. A self-proclaimed "geek", Mark has been blogging about technology for over 15 years. His blog, techquack.com, covers a wide range of topics including new product releases, industry news, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of your devices. If you're looking for someone who can keep you up-to-date with all the latest tech news and developments, then be sure to follow him over at Microsoft.