Hello Forrest, welcome to the Microsoft community, I'll be happy to help you today;

I understand that you are unable to boot Windows after an update;

Try accessing Automatic Repair;

Turn on the PC and when the manufacturer's logo appears keep the power button pressed to force shutdown;

Repeat this process 3 times, the next time you turn on the PC it will go to the automatic repair screen;

Within automatic repair try the following;

Advanced options > Troubleshooting > Advanced options > System restore;

Select a date prior to this update and click Next;

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore;

If the restoration completed successfully, check if you can access the system now;

Hope this helps, see you soon!

Thanks for this update Chris.  After very nearly returning this 5 day old machine to Dell, I too seem to have cracked it by rolling back to the initial system restore, and setting up the machine from scratch again but this time diligently avoiding anything to do with OneDrive (was SkyDrive).  I am using the Local Accounts too. This bad 'restoreoptin' experience has cost me a lost day of work, and has left me very wary of Windows 8 and completely convinced I want nothing to do with Microsoft's OneDrive and Cloud services.  If you have Windows 7 working for you, don't choose to go to Windows 8 lightly.  Nightmare, and as you say well known and still unfixed.  Just search for 'Windows 8 restoreoptin' and see all the current posts.

Quick Fix — Try This First Power off the laptop → unplug the AC adapter and all peripherals → hold the power button for 15–20 seconds → reconnect the AC adapter only → power on.This simple hard reset resolves the issue in many cases. If it doesn't, continue with the full guide below. Troubleshooting StepsStep 1: Hard Reset Hold the power button for 10 seconds to force shutdown. Disconnect the AC adapter and all peripherals. Remove the battery (if removable). Hold the power button for 15–20 seconds. Reconnect battery (if applicable) and AC adapter only. Power on. If it boots to Windows successfully, no further steps are needed. If the issue persists, continue to Step 2. Step 2: Reset BIOS Defaults Power on and press F2 repeatedly to enter BIOS Setup. Select Load Defaults or Restore Settings. Verify that Boot Mode (UEFI/Legacy) matches your drive's partition scheme (GPT = UEFI, MBR = Legacy). Save and exit. If it boots to Windows successfully, no further steps are needed. If the issue persists, continue to Step 3. Step 3: Run Built-In Diagnostics Power off the laptop. Power on and press F12 repeatedly → select Diagnostics. Let the full scan complete and note any error codes. Result Next Action No errors Continue to Step 4. Error code returned Search the code or contact Dell with the code. On newer systems, diagnostics may launch automatically after 2–3 consecutive failed boots. Step 4: Update BIOS Firmware On a working computer, go to Dell Drivers & Downloads. Enter your Service Tag, download the latest BIOS update to a USB drive. Flash the BIOS following How to Flash the BIOS or UEFI with a USB Flash DriveDo not power off or unplug during the update. After the update completes and the laptop restarts, check whether it boots to Windows. When to Contact Dell SupportContact Dell Technical Support if: None of the steps above resolved the issue. The laptop does not respond to any keypresses at startup (F2, F12). Diagnostics returned a hardware error code. Have your Service Tag, any error codes, and a list of steps already attempted ready.

Hi @Johnny Dixon , I got you so its no problem. I had the same issue when my dads AREA 51M was doing a BIOS Update and he closed the lid during it and that must've corrupted something because it wasn't turning off. I spent 2 hours diagnosing and fixing it to come out with the solution: unscrew all the screws attaching the laptops bottom panel where the fan is and use a suction cup to pull it out gently. Then even though the laptop IS on still unplug the battery connector from the motherboard. DONT REMOVE THE BATTERY, just unplug it. Then the laptop should shut off and then you need to hold the power button for 30 seconds. Then hold CTRL+ ESC while your plugging the battery back in and the laptop should boot!