Windows not booting and also not booting to install usb

Troubleshooting Boot Issues After Network Driver Updates on MSI B660M Motherboard

Introduction

Encountering boot failures and difficulties accessing recovery options can be a frustrating experience, especially after performing system updates or driver installations. In this article, we explore a common scenario faced by users—where a failed driver update leads to the inability to boot into Windows or access recovery tools—and provide guidance on troubleshooting steps and best practices.

Scenario Overview

The user experienced a series of events involving network driver updates on a system with an MSI B660M-G motherboard. Initially, the user attempted to update the Realtek 2.5Gb gaming network adapter drivers due to connectivity issues. The process involved downloading drivers from different sources—first from Realtek, then from MSI—and installing these updates. Prior to this, the system was performing normally after a Windows 10 update.

Post-Update Symptoms

Following the driver installation and a normal restart, the system exhibited significant boot delays, taking approximately 15 minutes to load Windows instead of the usual 30 seconds. Performance within Windows was extremely sluggish. Attempts to revert to previous driver versions did not resolve the issues. Subsequently, the user was unable to boot into Windows at all and faced additional challenges: the system would not boot into the Windows recovery environment or even access the bootable USB installation media.

Potential Causes

Such symptoms can stem from various causes, including:

Corrupted or incompatible driver installations, especially if drivers are hosted from unofficial or unverified sources.
System file corruption resulting from failed or incomplete driver updates.
Boot configuration issues caused by recent system changes.
Possible motherboard or hardware malfunctions, although this is less common in the context of driver updates.

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps

Verify Boot Device Priority

Ensure that the system BIOS/UEFI settings have the correct boot order, prioritizing your primary storage device and USB boot options. Access the BIOS/UEFI during startup (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F12) and confirm the boot sequence.

Attempt to Boot into Safe Mode
Restart the system and try to access Safe Mode by pressing F8 or holding Shift + Restart during startup.
If successful, Safe Mode can help diagnose driver issues and allow you to uninstall or roll back recent driver updates.
Use Windows Recovery Options
Create a Windows 10 installation USB on a separate functioning computer if unavailable.
Boot from the USB by selecting