Issue Description
Windows 10 may freeze on the Welcome screen after entering your password, never loading the desktop. This usually indicates a startup service, user profile, or system file problem.
Common Causes
- Corrupted user profile
- Startup service conflicts
- Disk or system file corruption
- Faulty Windows updates
Step-by-Step Solution
Step 1: Restart Into Safe Mode
- Force-restart the PC 2–3 times until Automatic Repair appears
- Go to Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Startup Settings → Restart
- Press 4 to boot into Safe Mode
✔ If desktop loads in Safe Mode, continue
Step 2: Disable Startup Services
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
- Go to the Startup tab
- Disable all non-Microsoft startup apps
- Restart normally
Step 3: Check System Files
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Run:
- sfc /scannow
- Restart after completion
Step 4: Create a New User Profile
- Open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users
- Click Add someone else to this PC
- Create a new local admin account
- Sign into the new account
✔ If it works, migrate files from the old profile
Step 5: Uninstall Recent Updates
- Go to Settings → Update & Security → View update history → Uninstall updates
- Remove the latest update
- Restart
Explore Further
- Check disk health using:
- chkdsk /f
Prevention & Best Practices
Shut down Windows properly and limit startup apps to prevent profile corruption.