How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10

How to fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10: Bootmgr is missing Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart” is one of the most common boot error which occurs because the Windows boot sector is damaged or missing. Another reason you might encounter BOOTMGR error is if your PC is trying to boot from a drive that is not properly configured to be booted from. And in this guide, I’m going to tell you everything about “BOOTMGR” and how to fix Bootmgr is missing error. So without wasting any time let’s move forward.

How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10

What is the Windows Boot Manager (BOOTMGR)?

Windows Boot Manager (BOOTMGR) loads volume boot code which is essential for starting the Windows operating system. Bootmgr also helps to execute winload.exe, which in turn load essential device drivers, as well as ntoskrnl.exe which is a core part of Windows.

BOOTMGR helps your Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista operating system to start. Now you may have noticed that Windows XP is missing in the list that’s because Windows XP doesn’t have a Boot Manager instead, it has NTLDR (an abbreviation of NT loader).

Now you may see “BOOTMGR is missing” error in different forms:

1."BOOTMGR is missing Press Ctrl Alt Del to restart"
2."BOOTMGR is missing Press any key to restart" 
3."BOOTMGR image is corrupt. The system cannot boot."
4."Couldn't find BOOTMGR"

Where is Windows Boot Manager Located?

BOOTMGR is a read-only and hidden file that is located inside the root directory of partition marked as active which is generally a System Reserved Partition and does not have a drive letter. And if you don’t have a System Reserved Partition then BOOTMGR is located on your C: Drive which is a Primary Partition.

Causes of BOOTMGR Errors:

1. Windows boot sector is damaged, corrupted, or missing.
2.Hard Drive Problems
3.BIOS Problems
4.Windows Operating System issues
5.BCD (Boot Configuration Data) is damaged.

So without wasting any time let’s see How to fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 with the help of the below-listed troubleshooting steps.

Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10

Important Disclaimer: These are very advanced tutorial, if you don’t know what you’re doing then you may accidentally harm your PC or perform some steps incorrectly that will ultimately make your PC unable to boot to Windows. So if you don’t know what you’re doing, please take help from any technician, or at least expert supervision is recommended.

Method 1: Reboot your Computer

Most of us know about this very basic trick. Rebooting your computer can fix software conflicts which might be the reason behind the Bootmgr missing error. So try to restart and maybe the BOOTMGR error will go away and you will be able to boot to Windows. But if this didn’t help then continue with the next method.

Method 2: Change Boot Sequence (or Boot Order) in BIOS

1. Restart your Windows 10 and access BIOS.

2. As the computer starts to power on press DEL or F2 key to enter BIOS Setup.

press DEL or F2 key to enter BIOS Setup

3. Locate and Navigate to the Boot Order Options in BIOS.

Locate and Navigate to the Boot Order Options in BIOS

4. Make sure the Boot Order is set to Hard Drive and then CD/DVD.

Set Boot order to Hard drive first

5. Else change the Boot order to first boot from Hard Drive and then CD/DVD.

6. Finally, save the configuration and exit.

Method 3: Run Automatic Repair

1. Insert the Windows 10 bootable installation DVD and restart your PC.

2. When prompted to Press any key to boot from CD or DVD, press any key to continue.

Press any key to boot from CD or DVD

3. Select your language preferences, and click Next. Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left.

Repair your computer

4. On choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot.

Choose an option at windows 10 automatic startup repair

5. On Troubleshoot screen, click Advanced option.

Click Advanced Options automatic startup repair | Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10

6. On Advanced options screen, click Automatic Repair or Startup Repair.

automatic repair or startup repair

7. Wait till the Windows Automatic/Startup Repairs complete.

8. Restart and you have successfully fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10, if not, continue.

Also, read How to fix Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC:

Method 4: Fix boot and rebuild BCD

1. Put in the Windows installation media or Recovery Drive/System Repair Disc and select your language preferences, and click Next.

Select your language at windows 10 installation

2. Click Repair your computer at the bottom.

Repair your computer

3. Now choose Troubleshoot and then Advanced Options.

Click Advanced Options automatic startup repair

4. Select Command Prompt (With networking) from the list of options.

automatic repair couldn't repair your pc fix open command prompt

5. Once the Command Prompt opens, type: C: and hit Enter.

Note: Use your Windows Drive Letter and then hit enter.

6. In Command prompt type the following commands one by one & hit enter:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Chkdsk /f

bootrec rebuildbcd fixmbr fixboot

7. After completing each command successfully type exit.

8. Restart your PC to see if you are able to boot to Windows.

9. If you get an error in any above method then try this command:

bootsect /ntfs60 C: (replace the drive letter with your boot drive letter)

bootsect nt60 c

10. Again try the commands which failed earlier.

Method 5: Use Diskpart to fix corrupted file system

Note: Always mark the System Reserved Partition (generally 100mb) active and if you don’t have a System Reserved Partition then mark C: Drive as the active partition. Since active partition should be the one which has the boot(loader) i.e. BOOTMGR on it. This only applies to MBR disks whereas, for GPT disk, it should be using an EFI System Partition.

1. Again open Command Prompt and type: diskpart

Fix we couldn't complete the updates, Undoing changes open command prompt

2. Now type these commands one by one and hit Enter:

DiskPart
list disk 
select disk 0 
list partition 
select partition 1 
active 
exit

mark active partion diskpart

3. Now type the following command and hit enter after each one:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Chkdsk /f

bootrec rebuildbcd fixmbr fixboot

4. Restart to apply changes and see if you’re able to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10.

Method 6: Repair Windows Image

1. Open Command Prompt and enter the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

cmd restore health system | Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10

2. Press enter to run the above command and wait for the process to complete, usually, it takes 15-20 minutes.

NOTE: if the above command doesn’t work then try these commands:

Dism /Image:C:\offline /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:c:\test\mount\windows
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:c:\test\mount\windows /LimitAccess

3. After the process is completed restart your PC.

Method 7: Check your Hardware

Loose hardware connections could also cause BOOTMGR is missing Error. You must ensure that all hardware components are connected properly. If possible, unplug and reseat the components and check if the error has been resolved. Further, if the error persists, try to find out if a particular hardware component is causing this error. Try booting your system with minimum hardware. If the error does not appear this time, there might be a problem with one of the hardware components that you have removed. Try to Run diagnostic tests for your hardware and replace any faulty hardware immediately.

Check Loose Cable to Fix BOOTMGR is missing error

Method 8: Repair Install Windows 10

If none of the above solutions work for you then you can be sure that your HDD is fine but you may be seeing the error “BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 Error” because the operating system or the BCD information on the HDD was somehow erased. Well, in this case, you can try to Repair install Windows but if this also fails then the only solution left is to install a new copy of Windows (Clean Installation).

choose what to keep windows 10 | Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10

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That’s it you have successfully Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 issue. If you still have any questions regarding this post feel free to ask them in the comment section.

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