220-802 · Question #527
A user has reported their computer boots into Windows install each time they power up their computer. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this problem?
The correct answer is A. An install disk was left in the multimedia drive. When a system repeatedly boots into the Windows installer, the BIOS is reading a bootable installation media as the first boot device, which is almost always caused by leaving an install disc or USB drive inserted.
Question
A user has reported their computer boots into Windows install each time they power up their computer. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this problem?
Options
- AAn install disk was left in the multimedia drive.
- BThe system is booting from the utility partition.
- CThe system is booting PXE from the server.
- DThe boot sector needs to be repaired.
How the community answered
(55 responses)- A93% (51)
- B2% (1)
- C4% (2)
- D2% (1)
Why each option
When a system repeatedly boots into the Windows installer, the BIOS is reading a bootable installation media as the first boot device, which is almost always caused by leaving an install disc or USB drive inserted.
BIOS/UEFI boot order typically places optical drives or removable media above the hard drive. If a bootable Windows installation disc or USB drive is left in the system, the firmware detects it as a valid boot device and loads the installer on every power cycle, bypassing the installed OS on the hard drive.
A utility or recovery partition would boot into a recovery environment, not a full Windows installation wizard.
PXE booting from a server would display network boot messages and load a network-based image, not a local installer.
A damaged boot sector would cause a boot failure or error message, not a successful load of the Windows installation environment.
Concept tested: BIOS boot order and bootable installation media
Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/boot-to-uefi-mode-or-legacy-bios-mode
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