Windows 10 would not boot and windows recovery from USB would not work either

Title: Troubleshooting Windows 10 Boot Failures and USB Recovery Challenges

Experiencing a computer that refuses to boot can be a frustrating experience, especially after returning from a trip. Recently, a user faced such a scenario with their Windows 10 system, and despite attempting recovery options, the issue persisted. This article explores the steps taken, common pitfalls, and potential solutions to recover your Windows installation when traditional methods fail.

System Specifications
The affected system includes the following hardware components:

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 6-core CPU
Memory: 16GB Corsair RAM (2 x 8GB modules)
Storage: Samsung SSD 870 QVO 1TB (primary drive with Windows installed)
Motherboard: ASUS PRIME B450-Plus
BIOS Version: 2409

Additional Hardware
An older HDD from a previous PC was present but no longer detected in BIOS. It was primarily used for data storage, such as games.

Initial Diagnosis and Troubleshooting
The user suspected Windows failure to boot after being away. Basic troubleshooting steps included:

Physically inspecting hardware connections to ensure all cables and components are properly seated.
Attempting to boot from a Windows installation USB drive created from a Windows 11 ISO, recognizing the device’s presence in the BIOS boot menu.
Facing issues during recovery attempts, where two partitions appeared on the USB drive, but neither enabled successful repair. Recovery tools stalled or reported failure at around 1%.

Challenges Encountered
Common issues observed in this scenario include:

USB drive partitioning problems: Windows installation media often create multiple partitions, which can interfere with recovery processes.
Recovery failure at initial stages: Windows Repair or Reset tools may not work if the recovery environment isn’t correctly configured.
Hardware detection issues: Older drives may not show up in BIOS, complicating troubleshooting efforts.

Recommended Approaches for Recovery
When facing such problems, consider the following strategies:

Verify Bootable Media Integrity
Use reliable tools like Rufus or the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB.
Ensure the USB drive is formatted correctly and contains all necessary recovery files.
Recreate the installation media if initial attempts fail.
Check Partition Structure
Boot from the USB drive, then access the Command Prompt from the recovery environment.
Use disk management tools such as diskpart to examine and modify partitions.
Consider wiping the USB