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Jorgen Lundman edited this page Oct 12, 2025 · 1 revision

Windows Boot Crashes

If you find that OpenZFS is crashing every time you boot Windows, you can remove the kernel extension part.

Enter the recovery CMD shell - you can use boot media as well

  • When booting, once you get to the spinning dots part - turn off your PC - either by holding power button for 10s, or cutting power.
  • Doing that 2 times in a row, Windows will ask if you have boot issues.
  • Enter Troubleshoot, Advanced Options, then Command Prompt.

Remove the driver

  • Navigate to your hard disk, which might not be C: during boot command console. Change drive letter, and issue "dir" until you recognise your disk.
  • cd into Windows\System32\Drivers
  • delete or rename openzfs.sys
  • exit command prompt
  • use menus to boot normally.

If you get access denied when you want to rename the drivers (fileowner is trustedinstaller)

  • take ownership (current user) of openzfs drivers: takeown /F \windows\system32\drivers\open*.sys
  • extend permissions (ex user administrator): icacls \windows\system32\drivers\open*.sys /grant administrator:f

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