I bought this computer with Windows 10 installed. I added on Linux Mint. Linux Mint works fine. When I try to choose Windows I always get this message: Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause.

It goes on to give instructions using Windows installation disc. I do not have that disc. Is there a workaround to this?

Go to the website below and download and run boot repair. Use the 2nd option to download the ppa on Mint. When you run boot repair you should have an option to Create BootInfo Summary, select that. It will give you a link when it finishes. Post it here as it should give enough details for someone to help. Most likely scenario is you have windows 10 UEFI and installed Mint in Legacy mode which would produce the results you see. The bootinfo output should tell us if that is the case.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

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I agree with yancek's post. I've been using the Boot-Repair program since its inception, and it works great.

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No idea if what I'm going to write will be helpful, but having had exactly the same problem, I solved it by booting the computer with a Puppylinux CD and ONLY installed the <grub4dos> utility. Grub4dos has always by default the search for a Windows installation, and the Grub version is a very nice plain text only list of choices, list that can be adapted to your needs and systems installed. Best wishes.

PS: When you installed the Mint version, and your computer had only Windows installed, probably you changed the Windows partition to make some space for Linux. Windows will detect an abnormal change in capacity and will need to be repaired. This problem will not occur if you first create a partition to install Windows, and then install Linux with Grub manager. Some computers however need the Bios to be configurated correctly.

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I tried the boot-repair. All of the F-tabs said NO Text?? There was no terminal available. I wasn't even able to exit; because it wasn't able to load that feature. All of this added to my leeriness to proceed. I don't want to jeopardize my working Linux Mint.

What about gedit admin:///etc/default/grub; make the necessary changes; followed by update-grub; and a reboot?

When you installed Mint, what option did you select, install alongside Windows, or in separate partition that is has you make?

Not sure what you are referring to regarding F-tabs. Did you read the instructions at the boot repair site. Might try the link below which is a little more detailed. There should be an option to create bootinfo summary shown at the link below. The terminal in Mint is what you use.

I tried the boot-repair. All of the F-tabs said NO Text?? There was no terminal available.

https://www.howtogeek.com/114884/how...ntu-wont-boot/

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To get Terminal in Mint, either:
1. Ctrl+Alt+T all 3 together

2. Left click in Menu button-at bottom left corner of taskbar.
In the displayed list is Terminal, click it.

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forst off, BILL GATES started that no more cd/dvd (use to be floppies) of OS when you get your computer with it installed on it. money greed issues. if that pc got its sticker you got your key (numbers letters) for a install of windows, go to MS sight get a copy of the iso, burning it to the usb stick without a working windows. bugger.. I have not tired this so .....
How to Create a Bootable Windows 10 USB in Linux

if it does work, then select fix system, or repair system, if worst case, go to the option that is not installing it, then command prompt -- first look up how to repair mbr and boot list, if it is uefi then this should not be an issue because it is kept in the different location other than mbr. you should not even need your key, because you are not attempting to install, only fit it.

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