Windows updates sometimes install corrupted files or incompatible drivers. Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the recent update to fix this. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → View Update History → Uninstall Updates.
Press and hold the power button to force shutdown during the automatic repair screen. On the next boot, you'll have access to recovery options. Alternatively, boot from Windows installation media to access recovery tools.
If you choose "Keep my files," your personal files remain. However, installed apps and system settings are reset. It's always best to backup important files before attempting any repairs.
If all troubleshooting fails, the issue is likely hardware — either a failing hard drive or motherboard problem. Consider taking your computer to a repair shop for professional diagnosis, or if under warranty, contact your manufacturer.
Usually no — the data is still on your hard drive. However, if the drive is failing, continuing to force boot attempts could make recovery harder. If you suspect hard drive failure, remove the drive and connect it to another PC to backup data first.
Startup Repair typically takes 15-45 minutes. It may appear stuck — don't turn off your computer. If it runs for more than 2 hours, the issue likely requires other solutions.