Bootmgr is the acronym for Boot Manager in Windows. It is the utility responsible for starting the Windows boot sequence. However, sometimes it may undergo issues and thus, the “Bootmgr is missing” error appears on your Windows PC.
In this post, I will guide you on how to fix the Bootmgr is missing issue on Windows 10/8/7 using the top 6 solutions. So, if you are struggling with the annoying error that is preventing you from using your computer, this post will help you resolve it.
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What is the Bootmgr is Missing Error on Windows PC?
Windows uses Boot Manager to load the boot sequence from the volume boot record. It executes winload.exe in order to load necessary device drivers and the Windows OS core portion. Bootmgr is an essential part of Windows OS since January 30, 2007. It was launched for Vista, and still accompanies the latest version of Windows 10.
Note: Windows XP users will not encounter the Bootmgr is missing issue as it has another program known as NTLDR for the boot procedure.
Boot Manager is missing is a commonly appearing issue on Windows Vista, 7, 8/8.1, and 10. When it happens, your computer will not boot and display an error message. The error message states that the “BOOTMGR is missing. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to restart.”
However, sometimes you may encounter another error message like couldn’t find BOOTMGR, BOOTMGR is missing, press any key to restart, etc. Regardless of the error message, the issue is with the Boot Manager. Hence, it is essential to fix it.
What causes Bootmgr is Missing on Windows?
Boot Manager is missing error can appear on any Windows computer, except for the ones running XP or older Windows versions. It appears just after you turn on the PC and the POST process is completed. The most common reasons for the appearance of this error are corrupt or incorrectly configured system files, corrupt hard drive, and its sectors.
Some other reasons for this error include OS system upgrade issues, outdated BIO, and damaged hard drive interface cables. This error may also appear when the system tries to boot from a hard drive or flash drive that is not rightly configured to be booted from.
How to Fix Bootmgr is Missing on Windows 10/8/7 Computer?
Fixing the Boot Manager is missing error is simple but you will have to figure out the exact cause. A lot of users are not able to do that. If you are one of them, I will recommend trying all of these solutions one by one until the problem is solved.
Here are the top 6 solutions that you can use in case you encounter the Bootmgr error. All of these are very simple and you can easily apply them.
1. Restart the System
When the first time you encounter the Boot Manager is missing issue, you should go for the simplest solution- Restart. Just restart your computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL keys as mentioned in the error message.
This will restart the computer. A lot of times this error gets solved with a simple reboot. However, if this is not happening in your case, you can try the solutions available below.
2. Change Boot Order in BIOS
Another simple fix to this error is changing the Boot Order in BIOS. Follow these steps to know what you have to do:
- Restart your PC.
- Press the specific keys (F2, F8, F10, F12, Esc or Del, etc. depending on your PC) to enter the main BIOS interface.
- Now switch to the Boot tab, change the Boot Order, and set Hard Drive as the first boot device.
- After that, save and exit the BIOS window, and restart the PC.
That’s it. If the issue is still there, try the remaining solutions.
3. Remove all Ejectable Media
Ejecting the removable media devices from your PC can solve the Boot Manager is missing issue as it may be appearing due to booting the system from a non-bootable hard drive.
Check if your computer is configured to boot from a USB flash drive, a floppy disk, or other non-bootables drives, and change it from the BIOS interface. This is another simple yet effective solution for this problem.
4. Run Windows Startup Repair
Running the Windows Startup Repair utility is one more very effective solution for this problem. It can help you to get rid of the underlying cause like missing or corrupted system files, corrupt logs, etc. Follow these steps:
Step-1: Create a bootable USB from the Windows ISO file, and then boot the computer from the USB drive to access Windows Recovery.
Step-2: This step is different for different versions of Windows. I have explained it for all the currently working versions:
- On Windows 10, click on Troubleshoot, next click on Advanced Options, and then click on Startup Repair.
- On Windows 8/8/1, click on Troubleshoot, next click on Advanced Options, and then click on Automatic Repair.
- For Windows 7, click on the Startup Repair option present under the System Recovery Options window.
Step-3: Next, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repairing procedure.
That’s it.
5. Check Internal Power & Data Cables
Sometimes this error is also caused by damaged or loosened power and data cables. Just open the cabinet of your computer, and check all the internal power and data cables.
If you find any loose cables, tighten them properly. If there are any damaged cables available, try replacing them. After that, try restarting the computer.
6. Check the Hard Drive
After checking the internal cables, also check if the Hard Drive is working properly or not. Check the drive for any visible physical damages. After that, go to Command Prompt, and run the “chkdsk C: /f /r” command (without quotes) to repair the hard drive.
You can also try replacing the hard drive with a spare one to check if the PC boots properly. If the error is resolved after using a fresh Hard Drive, then your old hard drive was the culprit.
Final Verdict
Bootmgr is Missing is an annoying Windows issue as it prevents the system from booting. These are the 6 best solutions that you can use to resolve the issue. Now you will be able to boot the PC properly and use it to complete your work. However, if you are still struggling, I’d suggest seeking professional help. You can also visit this official Microsoft thread related to this error.
That’s it from our side. Feel free to use the comment box to share your opinions about it.
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