When you turn on a Windows device, a whole series of processes with different codes start running in the system. One essential processor that starts up Windows is the Bootmgr process. But there have been instances when users were greeted with the “Bootmgr is missing” error when they first turn on the device. Bootmgr is actually Boot Manager that is responsible for booting up Windows on your computer. But if it shows up missing, then the system cannot load windows, and you see a message below that reads Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart.
Even if you do restart your computer, you keep seeing the same error message repeatedly. This error occurs when the bootmgr is missing due to an incorrect bootable disk, damaged MBR, outdated BIOS, etc. Since it is not possible to point out the specific reason in a particular system, we will see the possible solutions for all the related causes. Surely one of the solutions mentioned below will solve your problem. So without any further ado, let’s get into it.
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How to Fix Bootmgr is Missing in Windows 10?
The solutions mentioned here have solved the Bootmgr missing error for many Windows users. Since the issue is mostly related to system file corruption, fixing this error will take some effort.
Restart your computer:
If you are seeing this error for the first time, then there is a small chance that it might be a small glitch and the system, for some reason, is encountering problems loading up Windows. In that case, a complete system restart should be able to fix this.
To restart your PC, press and hold the power button until you see the computer powering off. In some systems, the user may need to hold onto the power for more than 30 seconds. Once the system shuts down, press the power button again to turn it on.
If restarting the PC does not do you any good and you still see the Bootmgr is missing error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Check for any Bootable Media:
If there are any external devices connected to the computer, then the computer might assume these external as bootable devices and try to load up the OS from these external devices. In that case, you will definitely see an error message as the computer needs to boot from the hard disk, not an external device. So, disconnect all external devices like USB drives, CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc., from the computer, try starting your PC again.
If you see the Bootmgr is missing error even without any external devices connected to the computer, try the next solution mentioned below.
Sort the Boot Order in BIOS:
If your Boot Order is set in a way that favours the PC to boot up not from the primary hard disk where the windows files are stored but from another storage device, you will see the error message. So let’s see how you can arrange the boot order to allow Windows to load up on your PC.
- Turn off your PC using the power button.
- Then turn it on again. While the computer is turning on, you will see a small message on your screen that instructs you to press a particular button on your keyboard to enter the BIOS mode. Different PC manufacturers use different keys as the key to enter the BIOS menu. Perform a google search on what is the key for your particular device to enter the BIOS mode. Remember to keep pressing that button as soon as the PC starts up, as there is a tiny window of opportunity to do so.
- When you are in BIOS mode, use the navigation arrow keys to go to the Boot tab.
- Using the arrows keys again, go to Boot Option #1 and press the Enter Key.
- Select your primary hard drive here where Windows is installed, and then press the Enter key.
- Now using the arrow keys, go to the Security tab and choose Secure Boot.
- Inside the secure boot option, go to Secure Boot Control, press Enter and then set it to Disabled.
- Finally, go to the Save & Exit tab on the right and select Save Changes and Exit.
Now the PC will try to boot using the primary hard disk. If you still see the Bootmgr is missing error message, try the next solution mentioned below.
Try the Startup Repair:
Startup Repair is a built-in Windows utility tool accessible using a Windows bootable USB or CD drive. That is, you need to have a bootable device with all the Windows 10 installation files.
- Insert the bootable CD or the USB device into the computer.
- Change the boot order as instructed in the step above. Instead of choosing the primary hard disk as the bootable device, choose the bootable USB or CD device as the first Boot option.
- Once the computer boots up using the bootable device, you will see the first screen that you see while installing Windows onto a computer.
- Choose the Langauge of install, time and currency format and the keyboard or input method here.
- Then click on Repair your computer option in the bottom left corner of this window.
- A window with Advanced options will show up. Here, choose troubleshoot and then select Startup Repair.
- Select Windows 10.
- Your PC will now try repairing the startup. Let this process complete.
If you are using a bootable CD, then this process may take a while. On the other hand, if you are using a bootable USB, then the startup repair process will complete sooner. After the startup repair is complete, if you still see the Bootmgr is missing an error message, try the next solution mentioned below.
Check all the data and power cables:
Sometimes some old cables could be the reason behind the Bootmgr is missing an error message. Cables degrade over time, and if you are using some old cables, you should get them replaced with new ones. Change the power cables and also the ones fitted internally between your motherboard and hard disk.
If changing the cables also does not get rid of the Bootmgr is missing error message on your PC, then go for the next solution mentioned below.
Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data:
Boot configuration data is essential to load up Windows properly onto a computer. If anything is wrong with this data in your computer, you will see the Bootmgr is missing error message on your screen. To fix this, you can run some commands on the command prompt window. And to load up the command prompt window, you will again need a bootable CD or USB device with all the Windows 10 installation files.
- Insert the bootable CD or the USB device into the computer.
- Set the boot order with the bootable device as the first Boot option.
- Once the computer boots up using the bootable device, you will see the first screen that you see while installing Windows onto a computer.
- Choose the Langauge of install, time and currency format and the keyboard or input method here.
- Then click on Repair your computer option in the bottom left corner of this window.
- A window with Advanced options will show up. Here, choose troubleshoot and then select Command Prompt.
- Enter the following command in the cmd window and press the Enter key.
bootrec /RebuildBcd
- The command will now look for a Windows installation in the computer. If it finds one, enter “Yes” and then press the Enter key again.
- If, for some reason, the command can’t find a Windows installation, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each of these commands. The C in the commands represents the C drive where Windows is normally installed. If your Windows files are installed anywhere else, set that drive letter in place of C here.
Bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
ren C:\boot\bcd bcd.old
Bootrec /rebuildbcd
Once the final command runs successfully, restart the computer. This time perform the startup repair again as the steps mentioned above. If even after this, you still see the Bootmgr is missing an error message, try the next solution mentioned below.
Use System Restore:
System restore is a way of bringing your computer back to a state where things were different in your computer. If you have experienced this error recently, then you should definitely try the system restore option. Windows automatically creates several restore points in the computer and if you have even one, then use it to take your system back to what it was before the error message started showing up. Here, you will again need a bootable CD or USB device with all the Windows 10 installation files.
- Insert the bootable CD or the USB device into the computer.
- Set the boot order with the bootable device as the first Boot option.
- Once the computer boots up using the bootable device, you will see the first screen that you see while installing Windows onto a computer.
- Choose the Langauge of install, time and currency format and the keyboard or input method here.
- Then click on Repair your computer option in the bottom left corner of this window.
- A window with Advanced options will show up. Here, choose troubleshoot and then select System Restore.
- Select your Windows installation. Here it will be Windows 10, and you will see the System Restore wizard on your screen. Here, click on Next.
- Choose the most recent restore point in the list of restore points that show up on your screen. Then click on Next.
- Finally, click on Finish, and Windows will begin the system restore process.
If even after the System restore, you still encounter the Bootmgr is missing error message, try the next solution mentioned below.
Perform a Clean Windows Installation:
If none of the solutions mentioned above worked for you, then go for a clean Windows installation. A clean Windows installation will mean that all your files in your system drive will be wiped out, and new system files will be installed on your computer. You will need the bootable CD or USB device with the Windows 10 installation files. You have to insert the bootable CD or the USB device into the computer again. But this time, instead of repairing your computer, you need to install Windows again. Before installing Windows onto your system drive or C drive, remember to format that entire drive. Go for the installation only after the disk is wiped clean.
If you still encounter problems in booting up even after installing Windows all over again, then it is certainly a hardware issue.
Replace the Hard Drive:
The only possible explanation for the clean Windows installation not working is a faulty hard disk. Hard disks have a limited lifespan, and if yours is no longer functioning properly, you won’t be able to load up Windows, no matter how many times you install Windows on to that hard disk. The only solution you have here is simply replacing the hard disk with a new one and using that new hard disk as your primary hard disk drive for the computer.
These are all the solutions to fix Bootmgr that is Missing in Windows 10. If you have any questions or queries about this article, then comment down below, and we will get back to you. Also, be sure to check out our other articles on iPhone tips and tricks, Android tips and tricks, PC tips and tricks, and much more for more useful information.