Yesterday, Microsoft accidentally released Windows 10 build 16212 for PC and Mobile devices from the internal branches. According to the company, this happened because an inadvertent deployment to the engineering system that controls which builds/which rings to push out to insiders. The team was quick to revert the deployment and stopped these builds from going out to more people.
Meanwhile, the build was rolled out every ring including Fast, Slow, Release Preview ring and Current Branch phones and PCs. Windows 10 users with 32-bit version of the OS will see a new update 15063.2.rs2_release_svc_d.170531-1743 (UUP-CTv2) in their updates.
Microsoft warned users that if they install this build, their devices will be stuck in a reboot loop and the only way to recover is to use the Windows Device Recovery Tool and re-flash.
We have collected some fixes for those users facing issues with these builds.
Fix for Windows 10 Mobile build 16212.1001
The new Windows 10 Mobile build is now available in every branch. Again, do not install this one, if you do, your phone will get into reboot loop.
Fix 1 – If your phone is done preparing to install 16212 and is waiting for a reboot. Set your date forward 40 years and then shut down your phone. This hack works for some users.
Fix 2 – If your device has downloaded this build but has not installed the build (you see either an “Install” or “Restart now” button under Phone update) – you will have to do a device reset via Settings > System > About (Do a backup via Settings > Update & security > Backup FIRST) and then check your Windows Insider Program settings to ensure you’re on the right ring.
Fix 3 – If you already installed on your phone and you’re stuck with reboot look, follow steps posted below.
Restart / Reboot
If your device ends up in an undesired state, completing a restart is the first step to try. Often time unexpected issues can be resolved by simply rebooting the device. This can be done one of three ways:
- Press and hold the Power key, then swipe down when prompted
- Press and hold both Power and Volume Down for 10 seconds
- Remove the battery from the device, re-insert the battery, power the device on
A restart does not erase any user data, files, photos, etc. Completing this action reboots the phone and can clear up device hangs, app crashes, failures to open/launch apps, and so forth. There are no changes made to the OS via this action.
Hard Reset / Factory Reset
There are two primary methods to complete this type of reset:
-
- If your device boots into the OS, navigate the following path: Go to Settings > System > About > Reset your phone. You will be prompted to confirm that you want to complete a full reset. If your device has an SD card inserted, you will be prompted to optionally erase the content of the SD card (this is optional). Follow all on-screen prompts and the reset will begin
- If your device is completely unresponsive, is stuck in a boot loop, or otherwise won’t boot into the OS as expected, you may use the following steps to complete a full reset:
Power the device off, now press the Power key briefly to boot the device. Immediately press and hold the Volume Down key. When an exclamation point (!) appears on the screen, release Volume Down
Press the following keys in this order:
- Volume Up
- Volume Down
- Power Key
- Volume Down
The device will then initiate the full reset process
Again, remember that using this type of reset will erase all data from the device. Please ensure that you have a device backup available if you wish to restore your user data after the reset.
Fix 4 – To recover your phone using the Windows Device Recovery Tool, complete the following steps:
- Download and install the WDRT tool to your PC.
- Ensure that your device has a full charge if possible. A minimum of 50% charge is required.
- Open the WDRT software on your PC
- Connect the affected device to your PC via an appropriate USB cable:
o If your device is detected appropriately, click the phone option as displayed.
o If your device is not detected, choose “My device was not detected” and follow the appropriate on-screen prompts.
§ If using this option and the WDRT tool seems to “hang”, disconnect the phone from the USB cable, wait ~10 seconds, and reconnect.
§ If disconnecting the device does not work, you may need to reboot your PC to re-enumerate the connected peripherals.
- The WDRT will check your device for available Firmware version and OS version:
- The tool may say “You have the latest available software version”. This is referencing the firmware on the device. This is expected. You can view the Operating system version and see the version that is available on the WDRT server (highlighted in red below).
- Click Reinstall software. The WDRT will download the appropriate software package and then begin the recovery process. Ensure the device remains connected via USB during this entire process. Removal of the device during the flashing process may render it permanently inoperable.
- Once the recovery image has flashed to the device, it will reboot and prompt you to complete setup. The device is now fully recovered.
Download Windows Phone Recovery Tool
Again, if Windows 10 build 16212 for PC and Mobile build 16212.1001 pop up on your devices, do not install them.
