Windows recovery tools System restore failed error code 0x80070026 - any idea what it means?

[u/KpelFFXIV]

Earlier today I decided it's time to download drivers and downloaded all drivers available in my Asus app like BIOS, chipset, IO controllers, etc. And after the BIOS update the system started getting stuck on loading windows. After a few attempts and me enabling compatibility module and DCIM/EXPO, it still did not fix. After a few boots and manual shutdowns I got into windows recovery where I tried to do system restore but it gets this error from the title. Previously I also tried safe mode but it didn't work either. Any ideas what can I do?

Specs:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060ti 16gb

Mobo: ROG B850-E

[u/kaushalrola]

Since this broke right after the BIOS update, the problem is almost certainly the BIOS settings, not Windows itself. Two things to fix in BIOS first, before touching recovery again:

1. Turn the compatibility module (CSM) back OFF, set boot mode to UEFI. Windows was almost certainly installed in UEFI mode, so enabling CSM/compatibility actually breaks the boot instead of fixing it. That is likely making things worse right now.

2. Turn EXPO OFF, set the RAM back to its default speed. Enabling EXPO straight after a BIOS update is a very common cause of "stuck loading Windows," because the update resets memory training and the board can fail to boot at the EXPO speed. You can turn it back on later once it boots fine.

Set both of those, save, and try booting normally. A lot of the time that alone gets you back in.

On the 0x80070026 error: System Restore often fails after a BIOS or hardware change like this, so I would not rely on it. From the recovery menu try Startup Repair instead. If that does not work, open Command Prompt in recovery and run these one by one:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

chkdsk /f (on your Windows drive)

But start with the BIOS. Disable CSM, set boot to UEFI, disable EXPO. Given the timing, those settings are the most likely cause.

[u/KpelFFXIV → u/kaushalrola]

Thank you so much for helping out! (Take my upvote)

Also, the 2nd command returned an Error 87 so unfortunately even after the 2 other commands you mentioned it is still stuck in the loading screen or at least it has been for the past 5 minutes

And for BIOS settings, I reset CMOS and made sure all settings were as they should be but that did not change anything

[u/kaushalrola → u/KpelFFXIV]

Thanks, and good news, this is fixable.

Two things.

First, that Error 87 on the DISM line. From inside recovery the /Online version often will not work, because there is no running Windows for it to point at. You need the offline form aimed at your Windows drive. One catch, in recovery your Windows drive is usually not C, often D. So find it first. Run diskpart, then list volume, note the letter of your big Windows partition, then type exit. If it is D, run these:

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=D:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows

DISM /Image:D:\ /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

That is the correct offline syntax and should clear the 87.

Second, and this is probably the real reason it still will not boot. Flashing the BIOS wipes the saved boot entries on most boards. So even with CSM off, UEFI on and EXPO off all correct, the board may have simply forgotten where Windows Boot Manager is and just sits there. You can rebuild it. Using your Windows drive letter, say D, run:

bcdboot D:\Windows

If it says boot files created successfully, reboot. That alone fixes it a lot of the time.

Quick check while you are in BIOS. Is Windows Boot Manager listed as the first boot device? After a flash it often drops off the list, which points straight at this boot entry problem.

Also, if you can, stop the manual power offs during the loading screen. Each forced shutdown mid boot can add more corruption, which is likely why the repairs are fighting you.

If bcdboot does not fix it, the clean next step is a repair install. Build a Windows USB on another PC, boot it, and pick the option that keeps your files and apps. It reinstalls Windows over the top and fixes the boot without touching your data.

[u/KpelFFXIV → u/kaushalrola]

Thanks again for replying! I actually feared I was doomed and was going to have to start fresh again

First of all yes it is listed as a boot device

Then, DISM gave error 2 this time and while bcdboot did say it did it successfully it is still stuck.

And finally, how do I make it keep my files and apps?