Windows 8 gives "system thread exception not handled" error message after update

I have a 64-bit Dell laptop which I recently upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 8. Since then, it's creating havoc in my life. The Metro apps are not working, the system crashes once in a while, and none of my games are running because I don't have the correct drivers for my ATI 5000 series graphics card.

Some days back, Windows downloaded an update and prompted me to restart. After that day, whenever I log in and fire up my desktop, I get all kinds of blue screen errors. The most common one looks something like this:

- SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED.

Please tell me how I can fix this, optionally how to go back to Windows 7.

Shobhit

Posted 2012-10-27T06:58:08.340

Reputation: 151

Answers

While the update path between Windows 7 and Windows 8 is ideally smooth, I've personally found that there can be unexpected driver issues that pop up all over the place. As a personal recommendation, I suggest backing up your data, formatting the drive and then a clean install.

Depending on your installation media (CD/DVD or USB), the path you take to install Windows 8 will be slightly different.

If you have the ISO file from Microsoft (or have the DVD and want to create an ISO file), About.com has an excellent tutorial that you can follow. They use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool to mount the ISO on a flash drive.

For a clean install tutorial, the same author has another guide.

Will.Beninger

Posted 2012-10-27T06:58:08.340

Reputation: 1 402

You should install a fresh copy of windows 8 than upgrading windows 7. Also, Dell has released drivers for win 8 now. Use those.

SIDS

Posted 2012-10-27T06:58:08.340

Reputation: 1

3Windows upgrade from 7 to 8 is really smooth in fact microsoft seems to be encouraging people to upgrade from their existing version. I can personally vouch for the seamless transition to windows 8 – Shekhar – 2012-10-27T09:35:35.360

Can you explain how to do it? – Shobhit – 2012-10-27T13:22:39.947

@Shobhit: For a clean install if you have Windows already on the drive, you can use the USB/ISO media the Update Assistant allowed you to create. Or you can buy and use the Upgrade DVD. For installing on a bare hard drive, you need the costlier OEM/System Builder version of Windows 8. – Karan – 2012-10-27T22:55:17.840

I was looking for something like step by step instructions.. – Shobhit – 2012-10-28T06:54:58.377