Fix: Windows 10 stuck on boot screen in VirtualBox

Learn what to do when Windows 10 is stuck (hangs or freezes) on the boot screen in VirtualBox.

The boot screen is the loading screen with the Windows logo you'll see when you start Windows 10.

Windows 10 boot screen

For me, the problem occurred when I was installing Windows 10 in VirtualBox.

Fortunately, I've found a few solutions on Superuser.com to solve the problem.

Solution 1: Change “Paravirtualization Interface” settings

1. Make sure the virtual machine is turned off.

2. Right-click on the Windows 10 virtual machine and click on Settings.

Open virtual machine settings in VirtualBox

Or select the virtual machine and then click on Settings.

Open virtual machine settings in VirtualBox

A settings window will appear.

3. In the left menu, you click on System.

4. Click on Acceleration.

Open virtual machine acceleration settings in VirtualBox

5. At Paravirtualization Interface, you select None or KVM or Hyper-V.

Paravirtualization Interface setting in VirtualBox

You can try these three options to see which one works for you. For me, it was the Hyper-V option that solved the problem.

6. Click on the OK button at the bottom of the settings window.

Start your Windows 10 virtual machine and check if this solution solved your problem. If not, then you can try the following solution.

Solution 2: Temporarily disable USB Controller

1. Make sure the virtual machine is turned off.

2. Right-click on the Windows 10 virtual machine and click on Settings.

Open virtual machine settings in VirtualBox

Or select the virtual machine and then click on Settings.

Open virtual machine settings in VirtualBox

A settings window will appear.

3. In the left menu, you click on USB.

4. Uncheck the Enable USB Controller option.

USB Controller settings in VirtualBox

5. Click on the OK button at the bottom of the settings window.

Start your Windows 10 virtual machine and check if this solution solved your problem.

You can enable this feature again after you've installed Windows 10.

Solution 3: Uninstall, download and reinstall VirtualBox

Another thing you can try to fix the problem is to uninstall VirtualBox, download it, and then reinstall it.