Some users report that Windows Server 2012 R2 keeps booting to choose an option page. What causes this issue? How to fix it? This post from MiniTool gives reasons and corresponding solutions.
When you try to boot up your Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2 computers, you may encounter the reboot issue, which keeps showing the “choose an option” page. Why does the “Windows Server 2012 R2 keeps booting to choose an option” issue appear?
The following are some possible reasons:
- Update failure causes a reboot loop on Windows Server 2012 R2.
- Disk corruption or misconfiguration forces the system to be repaired.
- A bad memory stick can cause this problem.
- Outdated drivers.
- Wrong registry key.
How to Fix Windows Server 2012 R2 Keeps Booting to “Choose an Option”
If you have Windows Server 2012 R2 installation media, you can go to Command Prompt to run different commands for repairing the Server 2012 R2 keeps booting to the blue “choose an option” Screen issue.
1. Prepare a Windows Server 2012 installation media insert it into your PC, and set it as the first boot option in the BIOS.
2. When you see the Press any key to boot from CD or DVD message, press a key.
3. Then, select the language, time and currency format, keyboard or input method you want to install, and click Next.
4. Then, click Repair your computer to continue.
5. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
6. Then, you will get into the Command Prompt screen and you can take the following solutions to fix the issue.
Fix 1: Run SFC and DISM
You can scan the integrity of all protected system files and repair the incorrect ones by typing the command.
1. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
2. If the command is not working, you can type the below commands:
- mkdir c:\scratch
- dism /image:c:\ /scratchdir:c:\scratch /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions
Fix 2: Run Bootrec.exe to Repair MBR
Next, you can execute the following commands to scan and repair MBR to fix Windows Server 2012 R2 always boots into the “choose an option” screen.
- bootrec.exe /fixmbr
- bootrec.exe /fixboot
- bootrec.exe /scanos
- bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
Fix 3: Restore System Registry Files
If Windows Server 2012 R2 keeps booting to choose an option issue is related to missing or corrupted system registry files, follow the steps below to restore system registry files from backup.
Type copy c:windowssystem32configRegBack* d:windowssystem32confi and press Enter. (Replace d with the corresponding disk letter according to your situation.)
2. When the registry backup is too old, this way may not be working.
Fix 4: Check Boot Volume
To fix Windows Server 2012 R2 keeps booting to choose an option, you can run chkdsk to check and repair the hard drive file system corruption.
1. Type the following command with the partition driver letter.
chkdsk/r c:
2. When you prompted by the Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by … Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N) message, type Y and press Enter.
Fix 5: Uninstall KB5009624 Update
Microsoft released the Windows Server 2012 R2 KB5009624 update, this update will cause Server 2012 R2 keeps booting to the blue “choose an option” sreen. You can uninstall it on Command Prompt.
1. Type wusa /uninstall /kb:4093123 and press the Enter key.
2. If you can successfully uninstall the update, remove the installation medium and try to restart the system in normal mode.
Back up Your Files/Systems
After fixing the “Windows Server 2012 R2 keeps booting to choose an option” issue, you can back up system in advance to prevent something bad from occurring again. Once the issue happens, you can directly restore your system to the previous normal state.
Besides, it’s recommended to start thinking about upgrading your Server 2012 R2 to Windows Server 2019 or 2022 as early as possible since Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 has reached its extended end of support. Your entire IT infrastructure may need to be upgraded to the latest version. Before a Windows upgrade, you also need to back up files to keep your data safe.
To create a system image, you can use the Server backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker. It is designed to back up the system by default. Besides, you can use it to back up files, disks, and partitions. It is compatible with Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2012 R2 and Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7. Now get its trial edition by clicking the following download button.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
1. Double-click the icon of MiniTool ShadowMaker to launch it to its main interface.
2. When going to the Backup tab, you can see this software backs up the system by default. You only need to choose a destination to store the system image.
If you need to back up files, go to SOURCE to choose items that you want to back up and go to DESTINATION to select a storage path.
3. Click Back Up Now to start backing up immediately or click Back Up Later to delay the task.
Bottom Line
Have you encountered the error – Windows Server 2012 R2 always boots into the “choose an option” screen? How to fix the issue on your PC? After reading this post, you know what you should do. If you have any other solutions that are proven to be useful to fix the issue on your computer, you can contact us via [email protected].
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Having been an editor at MiniTool since graduating college as an English major, Daisy specializes in writing about data backups, disk cloning, and file syncing as well as general computer knowledge and issues. In her free time, Daisy enjoys running and going with friends to the amusement park.