How to Fix Unmountable Boot Volume in Windows 10?

Encountering a situation where your computer refuses to start up can indeed be a highly exasperating experience. A common error that you may encounter is an “unmountable boot volume” message. Here we will look at what this means and how you can resolve the issue so that you can get back up and running. 

Deciphering “Unmountable Boot Volume” Error

What exactly does this error mean? To put it in layman’s terms, your Windows 10 system is unable to access the partition that contains the operating system files. In other words, the ‘volume’ where Windows 10 boots from is ‘unmountable’. The computer, much like a lost hiker without a map, doesn’t know where to go or what to do. It’s stuck in limbo, unable to find the pathway to its fundamental files.

What Causes This Error?

We need to understand the possible culprits. So, what could cause this error? Here are the usual suspects:

1. Corrupted System Files: Just like a bookworm can damage a book, viruses or malware can corrupt your system files, causing this error.
2. Faulty Hard Drive: Sometimes, the issue might be physical. The presence of bad sectors on your hard drive or impending drive failure can result in this error.
3. Incorrect Software Updates: You know how sometimes the sequel is worse than the original? The same can happen with software updates. If they’re not installed correctly, they can cause this error.

How to Fix the “Unmountable Boot Volume” Error

Now that we’ve identified the causes, let’s play the superhero and fix this error. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Method 1: Boot into Safe Mode

Doesn’t it feel safer when you have a safety net? That’s what Safe Mode is for your computer. It’s a diagnostic mode where only essential system programs and services start-up, making it easier to troubleshoot problems.

To boot into Safe Mode, restart your computer and press the F8 key repeatedly before the Windows logo appears. Then, select “Safe Mode” from the Advanced Boot Options menu.

Method 2: Check Disk Errors

Remember how we talked about faulty hard drives? In essence, the Check Disk utility functions as a physician for your hard drive. It conducts scans and remedies errors present on the disk.

To run this utility, open Command Prompt in Safe Mode and type chkdsk /f /r, then press Enter. 

This command will find and repair disk errors.

Method 3: Repair System Files

What do you do when a book has torn pages? You repair them, right? The same goes for your corrupted system files. You can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to repair them.

To use SFC, open Command Prompt in Safe Mode and type sfc /scannow, then press Enter. 

This command will scan all protected system files and replace corrupted files with a cached copy.

Method 4: Perform a System Restore

If all else fails, it might be time to turn back the clock. A system restore can revert your computer’s state (including system files, installed applications, Windows Registry, and system settings) to that of a previous point in time, which can solve your problem.

To perform a System Restore, go to the Start Menu, type “System Restore”, and follow the prompts to choose a restore point.

Conclusion

To Fix the Unmountable Boot Volume in Windows 10, Boot your system in Safe Mode, Check Disk Errors, Repair System Files, or Perform a System Restore. The unmountable boot volume error in Windows 10 doesn’t have to be a dead-end. Understanding its cause and knowing how to approach the problem, can help you navigate this technical hiccup and get your computer back on track.