Your PC needs to be repaired, Error 0xc0000225 on Windows 10/8 (Solved)

Problem Description: On a Windows 10 or Windows 8 OS the following BSOD Error appeared on the screen after power on:  "Your PC needs to be repaired. Error code: 0xc0000225".
– The Error code 0xc0000225, means that Windows cannot find the required System Files to boot, or cannot verify the digital signature of a recently installed device driver or application.

The 0xc0000225 error (Your PC needs to be repaired) may happen at the following cases:

• The computer was turned off, during a Windows Update
• You have installed an unsigned driver or program.
• During upgrading Windows (e.g. from Windows 7 to Windows 8 or 10)
• After cloning or resizing the OS hard disk.

BSOD: 0xc0000225 error in details:
"Recovery – Your PC needs to be repaired
A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed. Error code: 0xc0000225
or
The application or operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors: File: \windows\system32\winload.efi. Error code: 0xc0000225
or
The operating system couldn't be loaded because the digital signature of a file couldn't be verified. Error code: 0xc0000225

You'll need to use the recovery tools on your installation media. If you don't have any installation media (like a disc or USB device), contact your system administrator or PC manufacturer

Press Enter to try again
Press F8 for Start-up Settings
Press Esc for UEFI Firmware Settings"

In this tutorial you will find instructions to fix the blue screen of death "Your PC needs to be repaired / Code 0x0xc0000225" problem on Windows 10, 8.1 & 8 OS)

How to fix: Your PC needs to be repaired – Error code: 0xc0000225. (Windows 8, 8.1 & 10)

Requirements: In order to fix the "Your PC needs to be repaired – 0xc0000225" problem, by following the methods below, you will need to boot you computer from a Windows installation media.  If you don't own a Windows Media then you can create one by using Microsoft's Media Creation tool.

• Related articles:
  • How to create a Windows 10 USB installation media.
  • How to create a Windows 10 DVD installation media.

Method-1. Run Start-up Repair.

1. Boot your computer from the Windows installation media.
2. Press Next at Language options screen.
3. Choose Repair your computer.
4. Then choose Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options –> Start-up Repair.

5. Select your Windows OS and then follow the onscreen instructions to fix your computer.
6. If Start-up repair cannot fix the 0xc0000225 error, continue to next method.

Method-2. Fix Boot Files

1. Boot your computer from the Windows media.
2. Press Next at Language options screen.
3. Choose Repair your computer.
4. Then choose Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options –> Command Prompt.
5. In command prompt give the following commands in order:

1. • bootrec /fixmbr
   • bootrec /fixboot
   • bootrec /scanos
   • bootrec /rebuildbcd

6. Press "A" to add the installation to boot list and press Enter.
7. Close command prompt window.
8. Restart your computer and if the 0xc0000225 persists, then follow the next method.

Method-3. Disable Driver Signature Checking.

This method worked on a Windows 8.1 based computer with the 0xc0000225 problem: " The operating system couldn't be loaded because the digital signature of a file couldn't be verified. " The problem appeared because the computer was turned of during a Windows Update.

Step 1. Disable Secure Boot in BIOS

1. Power On your system and press the corresponding key* to enter into BIOS SETUP

* Usually is the DEL or F1 or F2 or F10 key. (depends on manufacturer)

2. Disable the Secure Boot. *

* Note: Commonly the Secure Boot setting is under Security or in Boot Options section.

3. Save settings and EXIT BIOS Setup.

Step 2. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement.

1. At the "PC needs to be repaired. Error code: 0xc0000225" screen, press the F8 key to launch Startup Settings.
2. At Startup Settings, press the F7 (or "7") key to Disable driver signature enforcement.

3. If Windows starts normally* then:

a. Install all the available updates and then reboot. OR…
b. Remove (uninstall) any recently installed program or device driver. OR…
c. Continue to Step-3 and permanently disable the driver signature checking.

* Note: If Windows cannot start, enable the Secure Boot in BIOS Settings and then continue to Method-4.

Step 3. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement permanently,

1. Open an elevated command prompt.
2. At command prompt windows, type the following commands in order.

• bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
• bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON

3. Reboot your computer.

– If you want to enable signature enforcement in the future, then open Command Prompt (with administrative rights) and type these commands in order:

• bcdedit -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
• bcdedit /set testsigning off

Method-4. Repair the UEFI Boot Loader.

The next method to resolve the 0xc0000225 problem, is to repair the Windows 10 or Windows 8, 8.1 boot loader. (This method worked on a computer that supports UEFI.)

1. Boot your computer from the Windows installation media.
2. Press Next at Language options screen.
3. Choose Repair your computer.
4. Then choose Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options –> Command Prompt.
5. In command prompt give the following command and press Enter:

• diskpart

6. Then type list volume and press Enter.
7. Note the volume number of the System Reserved ("System Rese") volume.* (e.g. "Volume 1")

* Note: The System Reserved volume is the volume with the smallest size (commonly 100 or 500MB) and at the Info column has the label "System". If you own an UEFI system, then the System Reserved partition is in Fat32 FS (File System).

8. Note the drive letter of the volume with the label "Boot" at Info column (e.g. "C")

9. Now type this command and hit Enter: *

• select volume 1

* Note: Replace the number "1", with the number of the volume with the "System" label.

10. Then type this command and press Enter:

• assign letter=Z

11. Type: exit

12. In command prompt type this command and press Enter: *

• bcdboot C:\windows /s Z: /f UEFI

* Note: Replace the letter "C", with the letter of the volume with the "Boot" Label.

13. Restart your computer.

Method-5: Restore your computer to an earlier working state

1. Boot your computer from the Windows installation media.
2. Press Next at Language options screen.
3. Choose Repair your computer.
4. Choose Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options –> System Restore.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions and restore your computer to an earlier point.

Did it work for you?
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• Author
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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Repairwin.com. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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