In this situation, Windows restores the catalog files and stages the driver .sys files to be restored when the computer restarts. However, when the computer restarts, Windows loads the existing drivers before it restores the later versions of the drivers. Because the driver versions do not match the versions of the restored catalog files, the restart process stops.

During the system restore process, Windows temporarily stages the restoration of files that are in use. It then saves the information in the registry. When the computer restarts, it completes the staged operation.

Redmond offers a procedure that can be followed to recover from the failed restart caused by this known issue which requires users to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE or WinRE) by restarting the computer again after the failure.

To be able to circumvent the restart failures caused by this known issue, users may have to either restart two times in a row or use a hardware restart switch.

Once the Windows Recovery Environment is on the screen, follow these steps:

Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > More recovery options > Startup settings , and then select Restart now . In the list of startup settings, select Disable driver signature enforcement . (Note: You may have to use the F7 key to select this setting.) Allow the startup process to continue. As Windows restarts, the system restore process should resume and finish.

Following the steps listed above will allow users to restore the computer to the restore point chosen before the Stop error (0xc000021a) was triggered.

Avoiding failed restarts

In order to start the System Restore wizard on computers affected by the restart crashes caused by failed system restores, users have to use WinRE instead of the Settings dialog box.

To be able to start this process from the Windows desktop, follow this procedure: