What Is BOOTMGR

BOOTMGR, short for Windows Boot Manager, refers to a small piece of software that is loaded
from the volume boot code. Usually, the BOOTMGR file is read-only and locates in the boot
directory of the partition which is set as "active".

On most PCs, the partition is labeled as system reserved without a drive letter. If there is no
system reserved partition, BOOTMGR probably locates on your primary partition C.
BOOTMGR can read boot configuration data and display the operating system selection menu.

However, sometimes BOOTMGR is missing or lost due to some reasons including incorrect
bootable disk, damaged MBR, outdated BIOS, loose or damaged hard disk interface cables, etc.

BOOTMGR Error Messages

Usually, the issue appears shortly after the computer is turned on, immediately after the Power
On Self Test (POST for short) is complete.

When the BOOTMGR error message occurs, the Windows has initially started to load. This issue
often shows up on your computer with the message "BOOTMGR is missing. Press
Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart", as shown below:

In addition, you may receive different messages, "BOOTMGR is missing. Press any key to
restart" or "CDBOOT: Couldn't find BOOTMGR".

Tip: BOOTMGR issue only applies to Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows
Vista. In Windows XP, missing NTLDR issue is common. So if you meet NTLDR missing error,
please refer to this post 10 Solutions to Fix NTLDR Is Missing in Windows 10/8/7.

How to Fix BOOTMGR Is Missing Windows 7/8/10

When it comes to Windows couldn’t find BOOTMGR or missing BOOTMGR issue, many of
you choose to search for methods on the internet. Here we summarize eleven solutions to you.
Hope you can solve your problem in Windows 7/8/10.

Solution 1: Restart Your Desktop or Laptop

Once Windows prompts you BOOTMGR is missing, please try to restart your PC by pressing
Ctrl+Alt+Del keys or any key, just do as the error message suggests since maybe BOOTMGR
error is a fluke. However, to a great extent, only a rebooting can’t repair BOOTMGR. So please
try the next way.

Solution 2: Remove All Removable Media

Since BOOTMGR error can be caused by booting your computer from a non-bootable hard
drive. So you should check whether your PC is configured to boot from a USB flash drive, a
floppy disk, or other unbootable disks.

If it is, please remove it and make sure your BIOS doesn’t load from any of them. Otherwise,
missing BOOTMGR issue will happen again.

Solution 3: Change Boot Order in BIOS

After unplugging a non-bootable disk, perhaps Boot Manager not found error still appears. In
this case, you need to consider checking the boot sequence in BIOS.

Step 1: Restart your computer.

Step 2: Then press a specific key to go to the main interface of BIOS.

Note: The key is different depending on different computers and different Windows operating
systems. It can be F2,F8, F10,F12, Esc or Del, etc.

Step 3: Then under the Boot tab, modify the boot order so that the hard drive is set as the first
boot device.
After restarting the PC, if the error Boot Manager is missing also happens, just try the next way.

Solution 4: Repair Master Boot Record

It is most likely that the message BOOTMGR is missing happens due to damaged Master Boot
Record (MBR). In this case, it is necessary to repair MBR. You may ask: how to do this work to
fix BOOTMGR is missing Windows 7 fix with USB drive effectively, especially the operating
system is unbootable.

Don’t worry, here we will offer you a piece of professional partition and disk management
software – MiniTool Partition Wizard. This tool is designed to own multiple editions such as
Free, Pro, Pro Ultimate, Server, etc. Thereinto, Professional Edition and the advanced editions
have a feature called Bootable Media which is available when there is no OS or OS fails to boot.

If you fail to boot your Windows 7/8/10 OS with the error BOOTMGR missing, you can try this
function. Here the Free Edition doesn’t support such a feature.

Tip: Before you do, please purchase MiniTool Partition Wizard Professional Edition to build a
bootable USB flash drive or CD/DVD disc, then connect this device to your PC and boot from
this device by changing the boot order in BIOS. Then start to fix BOOTMGR is missing with a
USB drive or DVD/CD disc by rebuilding MBR.

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Step 1: A few seconds later, you will go to MiniTool PE Loader interface. Please launch
MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Step 2: Then in MiniTool Partition Wizard main interface, select the target disk to click Rebuild
MBR feature from Check Disk feature.
Step 3: Then click Apply to perform MBR restoration. When finishing this operation, please exit
the program, and then restart your computer again. Perhaps, BOOTMGR is missing press
Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart error can be solved.

In addition to the way for MBR recovery, perhaps some of you choose to use bootrec tool.
Firstly you need to prepare a Windows installation disc, and then connect it to your PC. Next, try
to repair the issue BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 7 with Command Prompt.

Please launch CMD according to the wizard. In Windows 7/8/10, type the following commands
in turn:

 bootrec /fixmbr
 bootrec /fixboot
 bootrec /rebuildbcd

To fix BOOTMGR using CMD seems to be complicated, so we suggest that you should use
MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Solution 5: Mark Partition Active

If you have marked a wrong partition active, the computer will fail to start up with BOOTMGR
error message, because the active partition probably doesn’t contain boot files. As you know,
system partition or boot partition must be primary and active, and there is only one active
partition.

In this case, you must mark the partition within boot files active to ensure the computer runs
properly. In order to solve the issue, please reset your system partition active.

How to fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 7/8/10 via marking the partition active? It is very
easy. You can also use MiniTool Partition Wizard Professional Edition. Please boot your
computer from the bootable disc or USB drive to enter the main interface of MiniTool Partition
Wizard.

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Step 1: Then select the wrong active partition, you will see there are many partition functions in
the left pane, here please select Set Inactive feature.

Step 2: Next select the target partition, click Set Active function from Partition Management
menu.

Step 3: At last, you will go back to the main interface of MiniTool Partition Wizard. Click the
Apply button to make these changes effect.
Solution 6: Test Hard Drive

Besides, if there are some disk bad sectors, BOOTMGR files probably get missing. So you
should check the disk surface. MiniTool Partition Wizard provides a feature to do this work with
its Surface Test in Windows 7/8/10. If bad sectors exist, this tool will mark them red. On the
contrary, healthy sectors will be marked green.
Related article: What to Do If I Find Bad Sectors on Hard Drive in Windows 10/8/7?

Once bad blocks are found, you can use chkdsk tool to shield them. If there are many bad blocks,
in order to avoid data loss, please back up the significant data on the target disk.

Fortunately, MiniTool Partition Wizard also has such two functions, including copy partition
and copy disk. Here it is suggested to clone the entire disk data to a destination hard drive.
Tip:
1. The destination hard drive should be larger than the used disk space of the original disk.
2. Ensure no important data are on the destination disk, otherwise, all data will be destroyed
during the copy process.

Are you experiencing the same issue? Now try MiniTool Partition Wizard Professional Edition
to create a bootable disc or USB drive to boot your computer and then fix missing BOOTMGR
in Windows 7/8/10.

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If there are no logical bad sectors on your hard drive, you can skip the backup operation, and try
the next solution.

Solution 7: Perform Windows Startup Repair

In addition, you can also perform a Windows startup repair. This way can replace any missing or
corrupted files, including BOOTMGR. You may ask: If there is no CD disc, can BOOTMGR is
missing Windows 7 fix without CD be done? Or how to fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows
7 without CD?
In Windows 7, you can press F8 to go to startup option. And then choose Startup Repair to
continue.

In Windows 8/10, please restart your PC several times when seeing the Windows logo to enter
WinRE. Also when there is something wrong with your PC, there may be a pop-up window to
repair OS. Then go Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Automatic Repair(Windows 8) or
Startup Repair (Windows 10).

Solution 8: Reseat All Internal Data and Power Cables

The above content mentioned BOOTMGR is missing press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart error could
be caused by some loose, unplugged or malfunctioning power cables. Please try to replace the
faulty one with a new IDE cable.

Solution 9: Update the Motherboard BIOS

Sometimes, the BIOS on your motherboard is outdated, then you get a BOOTMGR error
message. So please ensure the BIOS is upgraded to the latest version. If it is not, please try to
update it. The BIOS must be available for your computer. If you don’t know how to do this
work, just look at the article How to Update Your BIOS.

Solution 10: Perform a Clean Windows Installation

If all solutions can’t work to solve Boot Manager missing issue, it is a good way to perform a
Windows installation for this error repair. This way will completely remove Windows from your
PC. However, all data will be deleted. So you had better back up important files before
reinstalling OS.

Just do as the solution 6 shows, use MiniTool Partition Wizard to clone disk or partition for your
data. Then start to install a new operating system. Or you can use the professional backup
software for Windows 10/8/7, MiniTool ShadowMaker, to back up data without booting OS
easily.

Solution 11: Replace the Hard Drive

If you still receive a BOOTMGR message, you should consider the hard drive has a physical
issue. In this situation, the only thing you can do is to replace the died or damaged hard disk with
a new disk and then reinstall Windows.

GET THE FIX FOR “BOOTMGR IS MISSING” BOOT ERROR IN WINDOWS VISTA, WINDOWS 7, WINDOWS
8, WINDOWS 8.1, OR WINDOWS 10

Explained below are the most common solutions you can do to repair this error, but we also
recorded a video about this stubborn error and what to do about it without a Windows setup
DVD (or if this Windows install CD fails) using our recovery disc Easy Recovery Essentials by
NeoSmart Technologies.

Alternative BOOTMGR error messages:

The most likely shown error message would be “BOOTMGR is missing. Press Ctrl Alt Del to
restart”, but your PC may also display “Couldn’t find BOOTMGR”.

Both refer to the same error that is causing your PC to fail to start.

Why BOOTMGR is missing appears

When you turn on the computer, the POST (stands for Power On Self Test) processes begin to
run by BIOS before booting your Windows copy. The error appears right after the POST process
is completed and Windows starts to load.

The POST is a set of routines that are run immediately when starting the PC, such as checking if
your RAM, peripheral devices and other hardware components your PC has are working
correctly.

After these routines are completed by BIOS, the Windows boot loader begins, where this error is
going to appear.

The boot error “BOOTMGR is Missing” in Windows

The BOOTMGR error can be caused by many things, including boot sector viruses, failed
Windows installs or updates or crashed hard disks.

A very common reason for your PC to fail loading and displaying this error is when it tries to
boot from a hard or flash drive that is non-bootable.

Guaranteed Fix: Use Easy Recovery Essentials

Easy Recovery Essentials is guaranteed to fix the “BOOTMGR is Missing” error automatically
using its built-in Automated Repair option. EasyRE is currently available for Windows XP,
Vista, 7 and 8 and can be downloaded and created on any PC.
1. Download Easy Recovery Essentials. Make sure to note your Windows version (XP,
Vista, 7 or 8) before you download EasyRE. This guide can help you identify what
version of Windows you have installed.
2. Burn the image. Follow these instructions on how to burn the bootable ISO image very
carefully, as making a bootable CD can be tricky! Alternatively, these instructions
explain how to create a bootable EasyRE recovery USB stick/drive.
3. Boot up your PC from the Easy Recovery Essentials CD or USB you created.
4. Once EasyRE is running, choose the “Automated Repair” option and click Continue.

Choose “Automated Repair” in Easy Recovery Essentials

5. After EasyRE scans your computer’s drives, identify and select the drive letter for your
Windows installation from the list, and then click on the Automated Repair button to
begin.
 Choose the drive associated with the Windows installation you’re trying to repair.

6. Easy Recovery Essentials will start analyzing the selected drive for problems. EasyRE
will test for and attempt to automatically correct errors with the disk, partition,
bootsector, filesystem, bootloader, and registry. No intervention is required, as EasyRE’s
repair is fully automated:

Easy Recovery Essentials searches for errors and makes corrections to the selected
Windows installation.
 7. Once the process is complete, EasyRE will report its findings. Click on the Restart
button to reboot your PC and test the changes.
8. The “BOOTMGR is Missing” error should now be fixed as your PC begins to load:

Windows, booting up successfully.

You can download Easy Recovery Essentials from here.

Other fixes for BOOTMGR is corrupt or missing

We’ve written below 5 fixes that you can use today to repair this error. Go through each, from 1
to 5, step by step, and check which one will work for you.

Windows Setup CD/DVD Required!

Some of the solutions below require the use of the Microsoft Windows setup CD or DVD. If
your PC did not come with a Windows installation disc or if you no longer have your Windows
setup media, you can use Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows instead. EasyRE will
automatically find and fix many problems, and can also be used to solve this problem with the
directions below.

Fix #1: Remove non-bootable discs

The first and easiest fix is to check for any existing media in your USB ports, floppy drives or
optical drives (CDs, DVDs).

BOOTMGR error will appear if your computer is trying to boot from one of these drives that
have a non-bootable media inserted. Once you remove a USB drive or CD from which the
computer was trying to boot from and couldn’t, the error should disappear.

After it disappears, consider changing the boot order from BIOS to make sure your PC boots
from the hard drive and not from any other non-bootable drives next time.

This is recommended to prevent future errors like this.

Fix #2: Use Startup Repair

This repair method works if you have the Windows installation disc.

Here are the steps to fix the BOOTMGR error with an installation CD:
 1. Insert your Windows install CD
2. Restart your computer and boot from the CD
3. Press any key when you see the “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD” message
4. Click Repair your computer after selecting your language, time and keyboard method
5. Select the drive of your Windows installation and click Next. The standard drive is
usually C:\
6. Select Startup Repair
7. Wait for the process to finish

Fix #3: Use bootrec.exe to rebuild the BCD

bootrec.exe is a tool built in the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) that you can
use to troubleshoot and repair the error.

bootrec.exe can repair boot configuration data and master boot records. BCD, which stands for
Boot Configuration Data, contains boot configurations options and controls how Windows is
started.

Here are the steps for accessing bootrec.exe to rebuild the master boot sector:

1. Insert your Windows 7 or Vista install disc

2. Restart your computer and boot from the CD
3. Press any key at the “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD” message
4. Choose Repair your computer after you select the language, time and keyboard method
5. Select your Windows installation drive (usually C:\)
6. Click Next
7. Select Command Prompt in the System Recovery Options box
8. Write the following command and press Enter:

bootrec /rebuildbcd

Fix #4: Run System Restore

The next solution will work only if you have System Restore enabled on your Windows.

Here are the steps for restoring your PC with System Restore:

1. Insert the Windows 7 or Vista install disc

2. Restart your computer and boot from the install disc
3. Press a key when “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD” message appears on your
screen
4. Click on Repair your computer after selecting a language, time and keyboard method
5. Select the drive where you installed Windows (usually C:\)
6. Click Next
7. Select System Restore from the System Recovery Options box
8. Follow the System Restore wizard instructions to select a restore point
 9. Restore your PC by clicking Finish

Fix #5: Use bootrec.exe to fix the boot

The partition boot sector is stored on the hard disk drive and contains the necessary code to start
the Windows boot process. If this partition is corrupt or not properly configured during a
Windows install it would lead to “BOOTMGR is missing or corrupt” errors at startup.

This method needs a copy of your original Windows installation disc.

Here are the steps to fix this error using the bootrec.exe tool, the same tool used in Fix #4 above:

1. Insert the Windows 7 or Vista install disc

2. Restart your computer and boot from the disc
3. Press any key at the “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD” message
4. Choose Repair your computer after you select the language, time and keyboard method
5. Select your Windows installation drive (usually C:\)
6. Click Next
7. Select Command Prompt from the System Recovery Options box
8. Write the following command and hit Enter:

bootrec /fixboot

9. Wait for this message to appear:

The operation completed successfully.

10. Restart your computer