How to boot an Acer Aspire ES1-512 into Safe Mode

I am having a problem with a stuck Windows Update (the last one KB5028166 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2), which has downloaded and got stuck when it reached 20% of the install. I have twice tried to uninstall it and boot to Safe Mode but never managed to get it into Safe Mode although with all the messing about with it, I did manage to get rid of it with a System Restore and tried again but again it got stuck. I have also done an sfc/scannow and a DISM cleanup-image Health Scan and no corrupt files were found. It has managed to update a few other smaller updates but never this last one so I need to know how to uninstall it in Safe Made to try again. Any other suggestions on what to do to get this update "unstuck" would be appreciated.

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Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/688426/how-to-boot-an-acer-aspire-es1-512-into-safe-mode

Depending if you can boot to windows or not. If you are already in Windows, keep the shift key down + click on Restart in the Start>Power menu. It will restart with the Blue screen: Click on Troubleshoot>Advanced>Restart> F4 or 4, Safe Mode. In Troubleshoot there is also an option to uninstall the last update. Alternatively type Safe Mode in the Search bar.

If you cannot get to Windows and the system starts the repair mode loop, reboot and right after the Acer logo press Alt+F10, this will get you the Repair Mode screen, click next and you will get the Troubleshoot screen (see above)

If you cannot boot at all except to BIOS with F2: Use your Windows Recovery USB stick to boot, if you don't have that, make one on another Windows10 PC, put a USB2.0 flash drive, FAT32, 10+GB in USB2.0 port and in Windows10 Search type: Recovery drive, it will create that drive in 20 minutes. Insert the USB recovery drive in the USB2.0 port of your laptop and boot to BIOS with F2, go to the Boot screen and see if the USB drive shows up, move the USB drive to the top of the boot devices list, save on exit and reboot with F2, you will now get the Recovery Screen, click on Troubleshoot>Advanced>Restart>F4 or 4, Safe Boot.

Alejandro_AC

Hi @TechNerd i leave you information, select the most appropriate method:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234

Thank you.
All the best.

TechNerd

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1215808#Comment_1215808

I will definitely give those first steps a try and come back and let you know how I got on.

TIA

TechNerd

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1215809#Comment_1215809

I had already tried those steps.

TechNerd

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1215832#Comment_1215832

I have just tried your first steps, "hold down the shift key whilst click on Restart in the Start-Power menu" but it took me to a blue screen to the "Preparing to Configure Windows" screen again which is has done numerous times. I allowed it to run on that earlier today for 1.5 hrs and it came back "Unable to Complete the Update Changes", "Undoing the changes" screen, so I just turned off the computer. I seem to be on a continued loop, unable to access Safe Mode. I did try the one by typing Safe Mode in the Search bar, but it bought up options I was not sure I needed, like removing all my files and apps and completely reinstalling Windows and I didn't want to go there ! I also tried to reboot to the Acer logo and pressed the Alt+F10 keys and again it took me to the "Preparing to Configure Windows" screen again ! Any other advice ?

Alejandro_AC

Start a reinstall over the Windows installed from USB and stop it by removing the USB on the first reboot, this should reset the boot options.

Do not allow the installation to continue or it will install over the current Windows.

Thank you.
All the best.

TechNerd

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1215869#Comment_1215869

I don't really understand what you are saying, I don't have a USB to reinstall anything and the Windows version I have was installed by a technician so wouldn't have a clue how to do what you are recommending, sorry. Also I wouldn't want to mess with the Windows operating programme I am using, if I accidentally overwrote the programme somehow, I wouldn't be able to rectify the problem. I am an amateur computer user, not a technician, most technical issues go over my head I am afraid.

TechNerd

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1215808#Comment_1215808

I have followed your steps to boot my PC into Safe Mode (which was much appreciated!) which has taken quite a lengthy process due to problems along the way with having to pause updates and then checking computer files, sfc, DISM, etc. but to no avail. I have even disabled my anti virus before trying to download and install the update but again to no avail, have undertaken Computer Disk Repairs and checked Windows Update Troubleshooter and even disabled all my start up programmes so that the windows update could download and install successfully without interruption but still to no avail.

I have read that you can download the update from the MS catalog site and from a search on google it seems I would need a "client" software programme or app to facilitate the download to direct it to the right destination and I am not sure if it is necessary. Any advice ?

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1216172#Comment_1216172

When you are doing things offline like booting in safe mode and trying to trouble shoot you should disconnect your internet as Windows10 WAU is trying to install that update. The reason Windows updating failed is that you probably have bad drivers or a bad HDD drive with a corrupted partition/sector, your HDD is 8 years old and probably needs to be replaced, the installing and uninstalling of your OS lately may also have deteriorated your HDD condition. I suggest bringing your laptop to Acer Servies in your country and not to a technician/repair shop. Ask Acer to reset your laptop to factory defaults with OEM Windows10 Home and if the boot drive is bad to replace it. In the Philippines the service fee is $25 for installing OS. You should also consider getting a modern Windows11 laptop, an entry budget system will cost $450-500 with Intel i5 CPU and you will be working trouble free with flawless monthly Windows updates.

Clean installing Windows, refreshing Windows and the things you have been trying are definitely not "routine operations" for a plain user, I have never "Clean installed" a Windows version after Windows95 some 25 years ago, if you have a bad driver or HDD you replace it or send it back to the factory, not reinstall the OS. DIY is OK to a point and the internet with unlimited potential requires awareness of your limitations.

Don't use 3rd party apps and Anti-Virus programs on a Windows10-11 system as Windows Defender, if completely enabled, has the best security you can think off. I hope that you will follow my advice.😉

TechNerd

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1216203#Comment_1216203

That's great advice, unfortunately I am not in a position to find £4-500 for a new computer at the moment with a cost of living crisis here in the UK. I will have to stumble on for a while and hope that the lack of updates will not cause me a problem. I have no idea if there is an Acer workshop anywhere near me but I doubt it. I think you may remember that I do have problems with some of my drivers which I cannot update GPIO Controllers, PCI Device, & System DMA Controller and I don't know if this is what is causing the conflict but why would places like Amazon still sell Windows 10 Versions of Home and I think Pro, if you cannot get updates for the drivers? Seems like something fishy going on there. By the way, I already do only use Windows Defender but of course do have some apps I have downloaded from the net for maintaining the computer which have always seemed OK, like Driver Booster, Advanced System Care, C Cleaner etc.

Alejandro_AC

I do not recommend Cleaner-type applications, they cause more problems than benefits.

Thanks.
A greeting.

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1216255#Comment_1216255

It depends on your priorities and how important this laptop is for what you are doing. Personally I hate to waste my time experimenting with devices and situations beyond your control, so much more interesting things to do in life.

You don't need any of those apps, I don't have any. C.Cleaner is known to corrupt keys in your registry and almost impossible to completely uninstall (remnants will remain lurking in your registry forever). Don't believe all the hype you read on the web about what I consider bloatware. IObit Driver Booster may skip or update rogue drivers that should be uninstalled. This is what some others say about ASC: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/572589/what-think-about-advanced-system-care-good-or-not-good/

Rely more on Microsoft and listen less to web hype. Windows 10 will become obsolete end 2025 so you will have to upgrade to W11 eventually.

TechNerd

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1216270#Comment_1216270

I had already been told this by my IT technician who dealt with a previous problem but let's face it the Acer manufacturer updates site does not deal with all a computer's problems, especially when they no longer support the drivers. I tend to agree with the advice on anti virus programmes and the only antivirus I use is Windows Defender but when it comes to malware then what do you do, I didn't think Defender gets rid of malware? Do you recommend ANY alternatives to the apps I use? When it comes to driver updates as I said, Acer do not provide the updates so then where do you go because as I said Amazon are still selling Windows Version 10 at the moment and people will get the same difficulties with updating the drivers if they are no longer supported by Acer.

TechNerd

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1216266#Comment_1216266

Yes I rather got that impression from the above comments but you have to get rid of your malware somehow.

Alejandro_AC

Windows Defender included in the system is sufficient, but you can use Microsoft Safety Scanner every 15 days, it is free and does not install, it runs online and is compatible with any antivirus installed on the system.
For it to be updated, you must download it again every 15 days or a month: