Dell Laptop cannot boot after uninstall

[HansOdborg]

After uninstalling Endpoint on a Dell Laptop it is stuck at boot screen.

The loading "circle" keeps rotating but nothing happens.

[_Val_]

You probably need to add more details before you can get any advice here. Model, OS version, Endpoint version, configuration details, blades enabled, anything else you find relevant, including the messages you got during the uninstall. 

[HansOdborg]

No message during uninstall.
Windows 11
EndPoint 88.72.2001

I'm not sure what you mean configuration details? Endpoint was uninstalled without errors but the laptop could not boot properly afterwards.

PS:
I had similar problem in the past on two other Dells. After uninstalling Endpoint they refused to boot and were stuck forever with the "Dell logo" while windows was trying to boot and the "loading" circle going round and round forever. 
But they were to be decommissioned anyway so I didn't bother messing around (both Windows 10).

[lluner]

@HansOdborg 

I had this problem when BitLocker was enabled; when I tried to uninstall the antivirus, this happened. Therefore, you have to enter safe mode, try to recover with your private key, and then disable BitLocker in Windows.

[the_rock]

Excellent point @lluner , but sounds like @HansOdborg cant even get to settings, if its stuck at boot prompt.

[cassiolima]

@the_rock 

You need to enter Windows recovery mode or Dell's own recovery mode.

[the_rock]

If that works, then yes, but if not, then probably not possible.

[henfii]

Hello Hans, 

It happened to me several times, also on E88.XX and this helped. It was also different Dell devices but that doesn't rule out problems with other brands (we primarily use Dell so it may be subjective)

see https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk181890 , that has always helped me.

Symptoms

• The Harmony Endpoint Security client E87.xx client was uninstalled and the system rebooted the device.
• After the reboot, the system does not boot Windows and shows a black screen, recovery screen or is stuck at the Windows load screen.

Cause

One of main drivers of the harmony Endpoint Security client, vsdatant is not uninstalled.

Solution

Note: Do not perform this solution if the Harmony Endpoint Security client is still installed on the device. 

1. Boot the device in the safe mode (without networking).
2. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers.
3. Delete the vsdatant sys files.
4. Reboot the device in normal mode.

If the device does not enter the safe mode and shows the Windows Recovery screen, then do these:

1. From the Windows Recovery screen, click Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
2. Run:

   cd C:\Windows\System32\drivers

   del vsdatant.sys

3. Repeat the del command for all the vsdatant sys files.

Let me know if this helped solve your problem.

[the_rock]

Hey @HansOdborg ,

FWIW, I ran your exact query through MS copilot and it gave me below:

*********************************************************************************************************

When a Dell laptop hangs on the Windows boot logo with the spinning “circle” immediately after uninstalling an endpoint/security agent, the most common causes are:

• a leftover boot‑start driver/service from the endpoint product (Windows tries to load it early in startup and stalls), or
• an underlying file system / OS corruption that only became visible after the uninstall.

Below is a safe, escalation-based way to get it booting again.

---

1) Quick “no tools” checks (2–5 minutes)

1. Hard power reset

   • Hold the Power button for ~10–15 seconds to force off.
   • Unplug AC, and disconnect all USB devices (docks, external drives, smartcard readers, etc.).
   • Power on again.

2. Check hardware quickly with Dell ePSA diagnostics

   • Power on → at the Dell logo repeatedly press F12 → choose Diagnostics.\ Dell documents the F12 → Diagnostics flow for the built-in preboot tests. [dell.com]
   • If you get any 2000-xxxx error codes, note them—this indicates a hardware issue (SSD, RAM, etc.) and you may be chasing the wrong root cause.

✅ If diagnostics pass and it still hangs, move on to Windows recovery.

---

2) Get into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

WinRE is Microsoft’s recovery environment designed to repair unbootable systems. It can start automatically after repeated failed boots and provides repair tools. [learn.microsoft.com], [support.mi…rosoft.com]

Method A (works even if you can’t log in): “Interrupt boot” 2–3 times

1. Power on.
2. When you see the Dell/Windows logo and spinning dots, hold Power to force off.
3. Repeat 2–3 times until you see Preparing Automatic Repair → Advanced options.

Microsoft notes WinRE can start automatically after consecutive failed boot attempts. [learn.microsoft.com], [support.mi…rosoft.com]

Method B: One-time boot menu → Recovery

• Power on → tap F12 → if your model offers SupportAssist OS Recovery, you can use it (see section 5).

---

3) In WinRE: do the repairs in this order

Once in Choose an option:

Step 1 — Run Startup Repair

• Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Repair\ Startup Repair is specifically intended to diagnose and fix issues preventing Windows from booting. [support.mi…rosoft.com]

Step 2 — Roll back changes (System Restore)

If the uninstall created a restore point (often does), this is the fastest fix:

• Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Restore\ System Restore can revert system state to a previous point without touching personal files. [support.mi…rosoft.com]

Step 3 — Uninstall Updates (if the stall started after an update)

• Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Uninstall Updates\ This can remove a recently installed quality/feature update that may be interacting badly with drivers. [support.mi…rosoft.com]

Step 4 — Boot Safe Mode and remove leftovers

• Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 4/F4 (Safe Mode)\ WinRE’s Startup Settings lets you boot into Safe Mode for troubleshooting. [support.mi…rosoft.com]

In Safe Mode:

• If you can log in, look for the endpoint product’s official cleanup/removal tool (many vendors provide one) and run it.
• Also check Apps & Features to confirm it’s fully removed.

If you tell me which endpoint product (e.g., “Endpoint Central”, “Defender for Endpoint”, “CrowdStrike”, “SentinelOne”, “Sophos”, etc.), I can point you to the exact vendor removal steps.

---

4) WinRE Command Prompt repairs (if Startup Repair/Restore don’t work)

Go to: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt.\ (If BitLocker is enabled, WinRE may ask for the recovery key.) [support.mi…rosoft.com]

A) Identify the Windows drive letter (often not C: in WinRE)

Run:

diskpart

list vol

exit

Look for the volume that contains the Windows folder.

B) Repair system files / image (offline)

Microsoft documents using DISM to repair Windows images (online/offline) and notes SFC can repair protected files. [learn.microsoft.com]

Try (replace D: with your Windows volume from DiskPart):

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=D:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows

dism /Image=D:\ /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

``

C) Check disk for file-system problems

chkdsk 😧 /f

Then reboot.

---

5) If WinRE won’t fix it: Use Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery

On many Dell models, SupportAssist OS Recovery can launch when Windows won’t boot and offers tools to repair, backup files, or restore/reset the OS. [dell.com]

• Power on → F12 → select SupportAssist OS Recovery (if present)
• Start with Repair options first (least destructive)
• If needed, use Backup before any reset/reinstall (SupportAssist OS Recovery supports file backup and restore paths). [dell.com]

---

What I need from you (so I can tailor the fastest fix)

1. Which “Endpoint” product was uninstalled? (exact name/vendor)
2. Windows version: Windows 10 or 11?
3. Does it hang before sign-in, and can you reach WinRE?
4. Is BitLocker enabled (does it prompt for a recovery key)?

If you reply with the endpoint product name + whether you can reach WinRE, I’ll give you the exact next 3 steps (and vendor-specific cleanup if applicable).

[HansOdborg]

Thanks all, we'll make sure to check next time this happens (the pc's have now be reimaged instead).

This seems like serious bug in the uninstall process

[the_rock]

Sounds good.