Recovery Environment error 0xc0000017

Hello,

Using Win10 Pro Insider Preview build 10166 64-bit, I am unable to boot into the Windows Recovery environment.  When attempting to do so, I am greeted with the following error immediately after POST:

  • 0xc0000017: "There isn't enough memory available to create a ramdisk device."

The PC is a Dell XPS 630i with 4GB of ram and 500GB of free hard drive space.

The fact that I've encountered this twice so far while doing build upgrades (previously when attempting to upgrade from build 9926 to 10041, forcing me to do a clean install of 10041 from ISO) suggests that I will continue to receive these errors during upgrades.

However, since doing a clean install of 10041, I have successfully upgraded to every Fast build since, until now.  I'm currently at build 10166.  

Troubleshooting done, based on various (and seemingly random) advice for related issues on numerous forums:

  • Disconnected/removed all unnecessary devices and drivers from PC
  • Removed RAM sticks and inserted into various combinations to rule out physical RAM issues
  • Ensured that PC's BIOS is up to date (v1.0.13)

I do not have any third party security software, anti-virus software, encryption, etc.  

Consequently, the Recovery Environment error is preventing me from upgrading to build 10240 as well, as the Windows upgrade process uses the RE.

Regarding the error (0xc0000017) when attempting to boot into the Recovery Environment, is there any way to find out any of the following:

  • How much memory does it think it needs to create the ramdisk device?
  • How much memory does it really need to create the ramdisk device (meaning, is it incorrectly thinking it needs more memory than is necessary?)
  • How is it determining how much memory the PC has?
  • How much memory does it think the PC has? (The PC actually has 4GB of RAM)

Is there anyway to troubleshoot the Windows Recovery Environment itself, or rebuild it?




July 27th, 2015 6:33pm

Hi Jason,

Firstly, I would like to suggest you backup all your personal data.

And the consider to reset/refresh your Windows installation as these steps:

Settings -> Update & security-> Recovery

If you cannot enter the Advanced startup, just choose Reset this PC to reinstall your installation.

After that, try to upgrade to latest build

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
July 28th, 2015 3:43am

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