Windows 7 freezes on startup after Windows update - setting up personalized settings for internet explorer

Question

Got a Windows update that prompted automatic restart, on restart every time I try to log on get a black screen with a "Setting up personalized settings for: Internet explorer" message. It can still boot up fine in safe mode.

Does anyone have any insight on how to solve this?

Solution

This could be due to a permission issue, just boot once with that user as an administrator instead of a standard user, then set his account type back. Here is the topic where I found that:

I also had the same problem with Windows7 Home and I attempted the safe mode method but I still have the have issue with the new user account. I altered the user from Standard to Administrator as well as immediately had a successful login. I after that altered the user back to Standard. Thank you all of you for your valuable suggestion.

— Re: Windows 7 stops at “Setting up personalized settings for: Browser Customization” #5

If that doesn't work, you can try a repair:

1. Insert the Windows 7 DVD
2. Restart your computer
3. When asked if you want to boot from your DVD drive, do so.
4. Choose your language, click Next.
5. Click 'Repair your computer'
6. Select operating system you want repair

— Windows 7 update freezes at loading personalized settings?

If that doesn't work, you can remove the offending update (KB might differ for you, read through them):

1. Hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds to shutdown without hibernating.
2. Restart system with the power button and boot into Safe Mode and logon.
3. Type "Windows Update" into the Start Menu search box and choose View Installed Updates under Control Panel.
4. Choose "Update for Microsoft Windows (KB980408)" and then choose uninstall.
5. Confirm that you want to uninstall and reboot when requested.
6. Start normally and you should be good.

— Windows 7 update freezes at loading personalized settings?

Comments

[Dave M]

Any events in te Windows logs? How long have you left it at the screen?

[Tamara Wijsman]

Any other details? It's hard to have insight on a generic message if we have no (trace) logs at our disposal...