In Windows startup repair, you can go to the “Error” tab in the “System” section of the “Start” menu.
This appears to be a problem with Windows 7. After you start the repair, it asks you to press “Start”, and then a screen appears that asks you to select the “Error” option. Upon clicking it, you are asked to select the “Run” command prompt. From there you can run the repair. However, when you try to run it, you get a window telling you the computer will refuse to start, since it is attempting to change the registry.
The registry key that you need to edit is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. The registry key you will want to change is HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
Microsoft’s own help file for Windows Vista and Windows 7 includes a warning about the registry key being used as a “trap” for some users. Apparently, for a very small percentage of users, this key is used to prevent the user from “firing back” when it tries to start the computer.
The fix is pretty easy. Just delete that registry key. If you have Vista or 7, you can do this by opening the registry editor (HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun), right-clicking the key, selecting “Delete” and clicking the “Ok” button. If you use Windows XP, it’s easier. Just right-click the key and select “Delete” from the context menu.
Once the key is deleted, the user will be able to fire back using the new key. If you have a dual boot system, you can install the fix and then install Windows 7.
Also, if you’re on Vista, you can right-click on the key in the HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun registry and delete it.
If you’re using Windows XP, you can use the Microsoft Windows registry key to open the key, and delete it. Then restart your computer and go to the Windows Start menu, right-click on Start and select Run. Type regedit and select the registry editor key, and delete the key.
I know this is a bit of a pain, but there’s a way to get rid of the registry key it’s complaining about that is actually quite simple. All you have to do is just right-click on the key (Windows 7 and Vista have the same key, XP doesn’t) and select Remove.
