Microsoft Outage: How to Work Amid the Chaos

Boot into Safe Mode or Windows Recovery Environment

To troubleshoot and potentially regain access to your computer, boot into Safe Mode or the Windows Recovery Environment. These modes bypass certain settings and drivers that may be causing issues.

Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

1. Power on your computer and immediately press and hold the Power button until it shuts down.
2. Repeat steps 1 and 2 two more times.
3. After the third restart, Windows will automatically boot into the WinRE.

Safe Mode

1. Power on your computer.
2. After the BIOS screen, press and hold the F8 key until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
3. Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode and press Enter.

Disable Automatic Sign-In After Power Outages

Configure your computer to skip the sign-in screen after a power outage to save time and hassle.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Accounts > Sign-in options.
3. Under "Require sign-in," disable "Restart this device after updates" and "Restart this device after a power outage."

Troubleshooting Power Outage Issues

After a power outage, check and troubleshoot various areas:

• Verify that the power plug is securely connected.
• Inspect the power supply for any damage or loose connections.
• Ensure that the surge protector or UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is functioning properly.
• Check the Windows Power Settings to see if Automatic Restart is enabled.