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.

What is the Windows Boot Manager (BOOTMGR)? Now you may see “BOOTMGR is missing” error in different forms: Where is Windows Boot Manager Located? Causes of BOOTMGR Errors: Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 Method 1: Reboot your Computer Method 2: Change Boot Sequence (or Boot Order) in BIOS Method 3: Run Automatic Repair Method 4: Fix boot and rebuild BCD Method 5: Use Diskpart to fix corrupted file system Method 6: Repair Windows Image Method 7: Check your Hardware Method 8: Repair Install Windows 10

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:

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

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.

  3. 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.

  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.

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

  4. On choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot.

  5. On Troubleshoot screen, click Advanced option.

  6. On Advanced options screen, click 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.

  2. Click Repair your computer at the bottom.

  3. Now choose Troubleshoot and then Advanced Options.

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

  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

  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)

  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

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

  3. Now type the following command and hit enter after each one: bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /rebuildbcd Chkdsk /f

  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

  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:

  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.

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).

Recommended for you:

System icons do not appear when you start Windows 10 Fix Driver Power State Failure Windows 10 Fix System Thread Exception Not Handled Error Windows 10 How to fix Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC

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.

How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 48How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 43How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 52How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 60How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 1How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 96How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 62How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 86How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 70How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 21How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 11How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 83How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 18How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 54How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 80How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 10How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 69How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 25How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 25How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 16How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 3How to Fix BOOTMGR is missing in Windows 10 - 88