Windows 10 installer crashing immediately on startup

Troubleshooting Windows 10 Boot Failures Following Hardware Modifications

Experiencing a Windows 10 installation or boot process that consistently crashes immediately upon startup can be a perplexing issue, especially after hardware upgrades or reconfigurations. This article explores common causes and step-by-step approaches to resolve such problems, illustrated through a typical user scenario.

Case Overview

A user reported a smoothly functioning Windows 10 system over several years. Recently, they expanded storage by replacing two older HDDs with new SATA SSDs. The process included:

Removing existing HDDs (after ensuring data was moved or erased)
Disconnecting HDDs physically and removing their partitions from Windows Disk Management
Connecting new SSDs
Attempting to install Windows on one of the SSDs using a recovery USB

Post-installation, while initial setup appeared successful, the system began experiencing Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors during boot or even before reaching the Windows installer, rendering the system unbootable. Additional complications included difficulties in formatting the system drives and persistent boot failures even during recovery attempts.

Understanding Possible Causes

Such issues often stem from a variety of hardware or software conflicts:

Corrupted or Conflicting Boot Partitions: Residual system partitions on previous drives or incorrect boot configurations can derail startup processes.
Hardware Compatibility or Faults: Newly added drives or components, faulty RAM, or graphics cards can introduce instability.
BIOS/UEFI Misconfigurations: Incorrect boot order, legacy vs. UEFI mode conflicts, or outdated firmware may prevent proper OS loading.
Drive Formatting and Partitioning Issues: Improperly formatted drives or system partitions can block Windows installation or recovery.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Approaches

Verify Hardware Components
Ensure all internal components, including RAM and graphics card, are properly seated.
Disconnect any non-essential hardware peripherals.
Test RAM modules individually if possible.
Check BIOS/UEFI Settings
Reset BIOS to default settings.
Confirm boot mode (UEFI or Legacy) aligns with your installation media.
Disable Secure Boot if necessary.
Ensure the primary boot device is correctly designated.
Manage Storage Devices
Disconnect all non-essential drives, especially those with residual data or partitions.
Clear BIOS/UEFI drive configurations to eliminate conflicts.
Use a bootable utility (like Windows