Fix Stuck at Windows Is Loading Files Loop

During the process of Windows setup, Windows 7 or Windows Vista users may encounter the Windows is loading files loop or be stuck at the Windows is loading files screen. Given that, we will present you all the potential fixes for the issue and provide an effective way to recover your data with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard when Windows cannot boot.

Did you wait for a long period for the computer to boot up but it stuck in "Windows is loading files..."? Don't worry when you come across this error. In the following, you will find 9 fixes to get your computer out of this issue. Pick up one and make your computer work now:

Overview of 'Windows is loading files'

"When I run a startup repair on my Windows 10 Dell laptop, the system was stuck at loading circle in a reboot loop. It kept showing the 'Windows is loading files' screen. When the loading process was finished, it went back on the laptop starting page and went to the Windows is loading files screen again and again."

A similar situation of the "Windows is loading files" issue is that when you try to reinstall Windows, you may get a black screen that shows you the "Windows is loading files" message but the loading wheel is frozen and never moved on. Usually, Windows couldn't load correctly can happen for various reasons. And following the issue, users may also encounter other problems like the black screen of death, computer freezing randomly, startup repair loop, disk boot failure, etc.

Possible Causes

The Windows loading process is a process that will happen each time you start your computer. Generally, it will go through so quickly that you cannot even notice it. But if you are stuck on the screen, there must be something wrong with your computer.

The "Windows is loading files" loop may occur when you try to start your computer or reinstall Windows. If you come across this issue when you start your computer, it may result from a damaged BOOTMGR. (BOOTMGR, Windows Boot Manager, is a small piece of software that helps your Windows operating system start.) While if it occurs when you try to reinstall Windows 7 or Windows Vista, the culprit may be your computer drivers.

Fixes for Windows 11/10/8/7 is Loading Files Loop

Whether the "Windows is loading files" loop is due to BOOTMGR damage or problematic computer drivers, you can apply the following solutions to fix it.

Method 1. Run Startup Repair

The first tip we recommend you try is to perform Startup Repair with the Windows installation disc.

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc into your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Select "Repair your computer" in the Windows Welcome screen.

Step 4. Choose your corresponding OS. When you see the System Recovery Options, choose "Startup Repair".

Step 5. Wait for the repairing process to finish. After that, restart your computer.

If "Startup Repair" cannot fix your PC that is stuck at the "Windows is loading files" screen, continue to try the "System Restore" option.

Method 2. Update Computer Drivers

Device drivers server as the communication media between your Windows OS and the device (motherboard, video card, sound card, printer, keyboard, mouse, etc.). Computer and hardware manufacturers always include a group of drivers for different hardware devices, like driver CD or DVD. The driver-related problems can also be fixed by updating the drivers. To update drivers on a computer that cannot boot, you need to enter the Safe Mode. Safe Mode starts your computer with only the necessary drives and services. By doing so, it limits your Windows operations to basic functions, which can serve as a troubleshooting function.

Step 1. Restart your computer. Once it starts, press "F8" in 1-second intervals until you see the Windows logo.

Step 2. Then you will see the menu of "Advanced Boot Options".  Under it, choose "Safe Mode".

Step 3. Insert your driver CD/DVD and find the drivers.

Step 4. Run the .exe file or setup file in the driver folder and follow to install the driver. If there is a .inf file only, you can install the driver using the .inf file.

Method 3. Use Windows Repair Services

A safe way to fix Windows 10 issues without data loss is using manual Windows data recovery services. EaseUS professional technical team can help you solve any system startup errors, including system failure, system blue screen, system black screen, and so on.

Method 4. Check HDD and RAM

A problematic hard disk or RAM is also likely to cause the "Windows is loading files" loop. If you have more than one hard disk or RAM memory stick on your computer, you can try to remove the additional devices and restart your computer.

Method 5. Reset BIOS or Update BIOS

According to user feedback, it's also helpful to reset BIOS to its default settings or update BIOS to the latest version. Here we will show you the way to reset BIOS:

Step 1. Restart your computer.

Step 2. Press the proper key to enter BIOS. (Depending on the computer you are using, the keys to enter BIOS vary.)

Step 3. Find the "Setup Defaults" option. It may be called Load Default, Load BIOS Defaults, Load Default Settings, Load Setup Default, or something similar.

Step 4. Save the changes and exit BIOS.

Method 6. Boot into Safe Mode

If you have recently installed new programs or drives on your computer before the "Windows is loading files" error happens, you can take a chance to remove the program or drive by booting to Safe Mode.

Step 1. Restart your computer. Once it starts, press "F8" in 1-second intervals until you see the Windows logo.

Step 2. Then you will see the menu of "Advanced Boot Options".  Under it, choose "Safe Mode".

Step 3. Uninstall the suspicious programs or drivers that lead to your PC being stuck at "Windows is loading files".

Step 4. When you have finished troubleshooting, repeat the first step and choose "Start Windows Normally" under the "Advanced Boot Options".

Method 7. Run bootrec

Bootrec, also called bootrec.exe utility, is a tool provided by Microsoft in the Windows Recovery Environment. When your computer fails to start, bootrec.exe can be used to fix the Master Boot Record (MBR), Boot Sector, Boot Configuration (BCD), and boot.ini.

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc into your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Chose "Command Prompt".

Step 4. Enter the following command one by one:

• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /scanos
• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /rebuildbcd
• Exit

Step 5. Restart your computer.

Method 8. Run Chkdsk

CHKDSK is a command that can check and repair errors found in a disk. As mentioned above, a problematic hard disk is likely to lead to the "Windows is loading files" error. Thus, it is useful to run CHKDSK to repair your disk errors.

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc into your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Chose "Command Prompt".

Step 4. Type chkdsk c: /f and hit "Enter". (Replace "c" with your system partition.)

Step 5. Enter exit and restart your computer.

Method 9. Reinstall Windows

If none of the solutions above works to fix the "Windows is loading files" error, the last solution provided is to reinstall Windows. Generally speaking, reinstalling Windows won't lead to data loss. But in rare cases, OS reinstallation may cause data loss to your system partition. Thus, it's necessary to keep the data on your system partition safe before the operation. Here EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can help access data without OS! With it, you can rescue data and save it to a safe place like an external disk or USB device, even when your PC won't boot into Windows. 

Download the EaseUS bootable data recovery software and follow the guide below to solve your problem.

To export data before fixing Windows is loading files stuck loop by reinstalling Windows: 

Step 1. Create a bootable disk

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, choose "Crashed PC" and click "Go to Recover".

Select an empty USB to create the bootable drive and click "Create".

⚠️Warning: When you create a bootable disk, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard will erase all data saved in the USB drive. Back up important data beforehand. 

Step 2. Boot your computer from the bootable USB

Connect the bootable disk to the PC that won't boot and change your computer boot sequence in BIOS. For most users, it works well when they restart their computer and press F2 simultaneously to enter BIOS.

Set to boot the PC from "Removable Devices" (bootable USB disk) beyond Hard Drive. Press "F10" to save and exit.

Step 3. Recover data from a crashed system/PC

After booting from EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard bootable disk, select the drive you want to scan to find all your lost files. Preview and recover the files you need to a safe location.

💡Tip: You can restore data on the local disks, external hard drives, and also the cloud storage.

Now you can reinstall Windows without worrying about any data loss:

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc into your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Select a keyboard method and choose a language you prefer. Click "Next".

Step 4. Choose "Install Now".

Step 5. Follow the wizard to finish the installation process.

The Bottom Line

The "Windows is loading files" error generally occurs on computers running Windows 7 or Windows Vista. Driver issues and corrupted BOOTMGR are the two main causes of the problem. All the solutions above are worth trying. If you are worried about data loss, don't hesitate to use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard software to access and recover your computer files when your computer cannot boot.