How to Access Command Prompt on Windows 10 and 11 Using Installation Media and remove a driver.
Introduction
Encountering a blue screen of death (BSOD) during boot can be frustrating, especially when Safe Mode isn’t accessible. Often, these issues are caused by problematic drivers. Fortunately, you can use the Windows installation media to access the Command Prompt and resolve these issues. This guide will walk you through the steps to do just that.
Understanding the Problem
When Windows fails to boot, it often displays a BSOD with error messages. These errors can be due to various reasons, but a common culprit is a broken or incompatible driver. In such cases, even Safe Mode might not work, leaving you with limited options. This is where the Windows installation media comes in handy.
Steps to Access Command Prompt Using Installation Media
- Prepare the Installation Media:
- Ensure you have a Windows installation disc or USB drive. If you don’t have one, you can create it using the Windows Media Creation Tool for Windows 10 or 11.
- Boot from the Installation Media:
- Insert the installation disc or USB drive into your computer.
- Restart your computer and press the appropriate key (usually F12, F2, ESC, or DEL) to enter the boot menu.
- Select the installation media from the boot options and press Enter.
- Access the Command Prompt:
- Once the Windows Setup screen appears, select your language preferences and click “Next”.
- Click on “Repair your computer” at the bottom left corner.
- Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt”.
Using DISM to Remove Problematic Drivers
- List Installed Drivers:
- In the Command Prompt, type the following command to list all installed drivers:
dism /Image:D:\ /Get-Drivers - Look for driver names that resemble
oemX.inf(where X is a number. like oem8.inf).
- In the Command Prompt, type the following command to list all installed drivers:
- Remove the Problematic Driver:
- Once you’ve identified the problematic driver, type the following command to remove it:
dism /Image:D:\ /Remove-Driver /Driver:oemX.inf - Replace
oemX.infwith the actual driver name you noted down.
- Once you’ve identified the problematic driver, type the following command to remove it:
- Repeat if Necessary:
- In some cases, you may need to repeat the process multiple times if the driver has been installed or updated multiple times. Windows might list new instances of the driver with a new
oemname after removing one.
- In some cases, you may need to repeat the process multiple times if the driver has been installed or updated multiple times. Windows might list new instances of the driver with a new
- Restart Your Computer:
- After removing the problematic driver(s), restart your computer and check if Windows boots normally.
Conclusion
Using the Windows installation media to access the Command Prompt and remove problematic drivers can be a lifesaver when dealing with BSODs and boot issues. By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and resolve driver-related problems, ensuring your system runs smoothly again. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, feel free to reach out for help. Happy troubleshooting!
If you can’t access the command prompt this way, you can insert the Windows installation medium (disc or usb stick) and chose the command prompt option there.
Also if you try to access the Windows drive with D:\ and it tells you that this isn’t the correct drive or you got no access rights, you can try different drives with “dir c:” or “dir e:” and so on, and replace the D: in the sample with that new found letter.