My current workaround is to bootup Windows 10 offline, and since I have an older HDD I allow 10-15 minutes for Windows to finish its initializing processes, then turn on my router. I just check in the task manager that a high amount of resources aren't being used until I turn the router on. This works, and I can use my PC all day. However, if I leave it on all night the task scheduler will cause the freezing to happen in the middle of the night and shut down Windows 10. So, I shut down my PC at night and back on in the AM.

The other workaround that some are using is to disable the task scheduler. This is discussed in detail on the tenforums.com site under updates. For me though, booting up offline is simpler.

I want to add that after trying Safe Mode with Networking (in WRE Startup Settings) I found that meant it allowed me to use the internet and receive email in safe mode. I didn't know what was meant by Networking. So that is a big plus to not have to keep driving to the library for internet and forums like this as I try and find a solution.

Well, misery loves company... I knew I couldn't be the only one with this problem. And there must be quite a few others dealing with this the same as us. Mine is not fixed yet, but I haven't run out of potential repair steps yet. I strongly encourage everyone to report this problem to Feedback Hub App. This must be typed into a Windows PC search bar. Have your Microsoft username & password to log in. I'm told their engineers do look at these reports. I have used CoPilot for a lot of ideas as well as my considerable file of PC maintenance & repair steps to try.  As I mentioned I was able to finally get into the Windows Recovery Environment with the two hard shut downs. For those who haven't done this it gives you a page of "Choose an Option" > choose Troubleshoot>Advanced> Command Prompt for chkdsk C: /f /r and let run. Choose Startup Settings for options that include Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Command Prompt (chkdsk won't work here) sfc /scannow as well as DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth need to be tried here. Just make sure you use the proper syntax with the spaces as I typed them. I also tried System Restore in the cmd - type rstrui.exe and hit enter. I believe it was the Command Prompt under Startup Settings where this worked. Unfortunately, this favorite repair step of mine failed every time & with every restore point listed. What a mess this is. The chkdsk C: /f /r worked a few days ago & I had my Windows 10 working fine but then Windows forced me to install again the bad update kb5087544, after which my PC would freeze after 3 minutes of Windows desktop starting with my icons showing. I was able with some struggle to uninstall the last two updates, kb5087544 & kb508863 that were installed last week within 48 hours of each other. I have paused updates for now.  The only way I can see my emails is to use the 3 minutes before freezing on regular Windows 10 to download the emails. Then I go to Safe Mode and open my email app and can read what's there. Safe mode won't let me do much of anything, I can't go online, Windows Defender doesn't work there, email won't download, etc. There are some other steps I've tried too. Right now my PC is running the chkdsk C: /f /r again with the hope & prayer that all the other cleanup & repair steps I've taken might help yield a better result now.  Microsoft really needs to find a fix.   If I figure out a fix I will post it. Goodluck everyone.

RP921,

I have been fighting this same issue for about a week.

You should be able to get to SAFE MODE by HARD powering off (hold down the power button for 10 seconds) 3 times in a row as soon as you see the Logo or circle spinning. This should put you in Windows RE mode and allow to select START UP options. Don't remember all the options but should get you started. Another option during restart is to repeatedly press F12 should push you into trouble shooting mode so you can get to SAFE MODE. I have been operating in Safe Mode for a week now. When you finally find the startup options, be sure to choose Safe Mode with NETWORKING!

I have tried numerous things to fix this issue but nothing has worked ... yet. I have not found a solution or exact cause yet but today reinstalled graphics diver but this is an un-tested fix. It has me so upset I am considering buy a new machine (which I really do not want to do).

My Windows desktop icons and system tray loads but within about 2 minutes, system freezes! Not sure if a Windows update caused this or not.

If ANYONE here knows of a FIX, please feel free to post a solution.

Thank you in advance for any helpful input.

I finally got the hard shut down at the Dell logo to work. It needed to be done after about 45 to 60 seconds of seeing the logo. With that it opened up “Preparing automatic repair” and then “diagnosing your PC”. Then a type of safe mode opened with 2 options: restart or Troubleshoot. Choosing troubleshoot gave me a variety of options including Advanced which gave me cmd and system restore, etc. It is not fixed yet, but I am at least working through several repair steps now.

The same seems to be happening to my PC.

I managed to use safe mode to recover it. But I didn’t disable auto update. So all I can suggest is to try and recover the previous state, and disable auto update.