How to fix Bootmgr is missing error in Windows

This error can occur on any computer with a version of Windows later than Vista. It can be displayed as “Bootmgr is missing, press Ctrl + Alt + Del to reboot”, “Bootmgr is missing, press any key to reboot” or “Bootmgr could not be found”. Any of them means the same thing and can become a headache for those who find it.

If you have turned on your computer and you have found it, we will tell you what is happening and what you can do, with different solutions based on your circumstances and possibilities. Before you get scared, the first thing you have to do is pay attention to what the error says, restart and see what happens. Find out below how to save the situation on your computer if this doesn’t fix it.

What is Bootmgr?

Bootmgr is Windows Boot Manager , a software that is loaded from the volume’s boot code and located in the boot directory of the share configured as active. It is a read-only hidden file.

The boot sector is a much more important piece than you think, as it is what makes the operating system start correctly . In addition, it takes care of running the Winload.exe process, which loads essential device drivers and a part of the operating system kernel.

It may be that Bootmgr is not present or is missing, as this same problem can happen in many other situations that we will mention below, as well as we provide you with different ways to solve the error.

Why does this error appear?

This error is one of the most feared by users who see that once the computer is turned on, the boot sector does not appear and it is necessary to restart the system. As we have said, it can be caused by various situations, such as a power failure, shutdown error, virus or many others.

The main causes of Missing Bootmgr in Windows can be BIOS or UEFI problems, corrupted files, disabled disk partitions, hard drive failure , loose or poorly connected interface cables, some system update or that we tried to boot from a drive not configured to do so.

Although one of the things you can do to solve it is to format your system and reinstall again, you will surely want to know other solutions that are less radical and that prevent you from losing your files and settings unexpectedly. There are several things you can do if you get the error that the boot sector is missing or corrupt.

First of all, what you can do is restart the computer (with Ctrl + Alt + Delete). Maybe doing it will solve it because it was something punctual. There are many cases in which this alone will have solved it. However, if once you have done it it is still the same, you will have to do other checks. In the next lines we will tell you how to solve it.

Initial checks

Once we have restarted the computer without success, we must do a series of initial checks that can avoid us having to reach other solutions that take more time. First, check if you have a USB drive or DVD connected to your computer . It may be that for some reason these have been configured to be given priority over the hard drive boot, so it would be looking for the boot system in them without finding it. Remove them immediately and safely.

The next case would be to avoid changing the BIOS boot order (F10, F12, F8, F2, Esc or Del) from happening again. To do this, go to Boot and modify the order by putting the hard drive first.

It may also be the case that there is a loose cable causing the hard drive not to be recognized by the computer. In this case, you must proceed to turn off the computer and disconnect it from the network to open its box. Once this is done, you will check if the cables connected to the disk with the motherboard are correctly connected. Check that there are no damaged, defective or in poor condition . If so, please change it to another one or connect it well.

Another case that may occur is that the hard drive is damaged , which will make you have no choice but to change it for another.

How to solve it

To correct this problem if none of the above works, there are several methods you can use as long as you have an installation disc for Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows 10 or your operating system. If you don’t have it, you can contact technical support or the manufacturer .

You can create a bootable USB from an ISO file , it is recommended that you do it before having problems to be able to use it when you need it. If you don’t have it, but have Startup Repair on your computer pre-installed, you can still do something about it, something we’ll talk about later as well. Before, we discussed the different ways to solve the error from the recovery environment of the operating system.

From the Windows Recovery Environment

You have several options to try to solve this error from the recovery environment of the operating system itself if you have a recovery disk, so we will tell you what you can do in this case in each of the ways that can be done pose.

With Startup Repair

One of the first steps you should take is Startup Repair in the Windows Recovery Environment. To do this, you’ll need to insert the disk into a drive and start your computer. When you put Press any key to boot from CD or DVD do it.

Then choose a language, currency and time , as well as an input method or keyboard and click next. Select Repair computer and in System recovery options choose the installation drive and click next. Then go to Repair your computer, choose the operating system and click Next. Then you will give Startup Repair . Follow the instructions and you will probably end the problem like this.

If your computer does not automatically detect media when you are at restart read how to interrupt normal startup and specify the basic input or output system configuration drive. You may have to do it with F10, F2, Del, Esc or another option. You can refer to the BIOS settings labeled Boot Order, Boot Options, or Boot and follow the instructions to give this option and press Enter. Look for the USB flash drive, DVD, or CD in the boot list . Put it as the first option and hit enter. With F10 you will save the changes and exit. It restarts and you will do the process indicated before.

Recompiling Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

To do this you will have to put the disc in the drive and start the computer. When the message appears to press any key you do it. If it does not automatically detect the media, follow the steps indicated in the previous case. Then you will do practically the same thing initially. You choose language, currency, time and input method and click Next. Select Repair your computer.

You choose the operating system , you give the following and in Recovery Options you select Command Prompt . Type Bootrec /RebuildBcd and press Enter. If not this may be bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /fixboot or Chkdsk /f. Reboot and check it out.

Run System Restore

You will need to have System Restore enabled for this. If this is the case, to run it you will have to insert the disk into the drive and start the computer. You press any key and if it does not detect the media, follow the instructions indicated above in this case.

You must choose a language, currency, time, input method and click next. You will select Repair your computer. In System Recovery Options choose the installation drive and click next. You will give System Restore and follow the instructions choosing the most convenient restore point. You give to finish and it would be.

Startup Repair with Recovery Pre-Installed

If Startup Repair is a preinstalled recovery option on your computer, you may be eligible for this solution, even if you don’t have an installation disc. To do this you will have to remove all CDs, DVDs and connected devices and restart.

If your computer has only one operating system installed, hit F8 while it reboots, before the Windows logo appears. If you have more than one, you’ll have to hit the arrow keys to choose it and then hit F8.

Under Advanced Boot Options , use the arrow keys to select Repair your computer, and then press Enter. Choose a keyboard layout and click next. Choose username, password and click OK. Then select Startup Repair and follow the instructions. You may have to restart at some point.