How To Use Command Prompt To Fix Issues With Your PC's Boot Records.pdf

3/17/15 How To Use Command Prompt To Fix Issues With Your PC's Boot Records

www.7tutorials.com/command-prompt-fix-issues-your-boot-records 1/13

ALL CONTENT DOWNLOADS TUTORIALS SYSTEMS REVIEWS BLOG ABOUT BEST OF

By Codrut Neagu on 01/15/2015

You can use system recovery tools to fix most of your computer problems. However, there are

times when you'll need to address such issues in a manual way like, for example, when your

computer won't boot. In these cases, you can use a tool named Bootrec.exe. It can help you

troubleshoot and repair things like the master boot record (MBR), the boot sector or the Boot

Configuration Data (BCD) store. Here's how it works:

Bootrec.exe - The Ultimate Repair Tool For Boot Problems

No matter whether you use Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, if your operating system has trouble booting

and Startup Repair can't fix the problem, it's worth trying the Bootrec.exe tool.

In order to be able to use this tool, you'll have to use Command Prompt. However, because you already

have startup issues, it's obvious that you won't be able to simply run it from Windows.

If you're on Windows 7, first boot from your Windows 7 Setup DVD or a System Repair Disc. Then

launch Command Prompt. You'll find more information about the whole procedure here: An Overview

of System Recovery Options for Windows 7.

How To Use Command Prompt To Fix Issues With

Your PC's Boot Records



In case you're using Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, follow the steps described in the third, fourth or fifth

section of this tutorial: 5 Ways to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1. Depending on the

method you choose to boot your system, you'll be able to launch Command Prompt either from the

Advanced options or from the Safe Mode interface.

Once you've launched Command Prompt, type the command bootrec.exe and hit Enter to see the

options that are available for this tool. As you can see in the screenshot below, there are four

parameters available: /FixMbr, /FixBoot, /ScanOs and /RebuildBcd.



Later in this article we'll see how each of them can help you solve boot problems. Keep in mind though,

that even if the Bootrec.exe tool can handle most boot problems, it does not guarantee success in every

possible scenario.

How To Repair The Master Boot Record (MBR)

The first parameter of the Bootrec.exe tool is /FixMbr. It allows the repair of a corrupted or damaged

Master Boot Record (MBR). The Master Boot Record is the first sector of your drive and its purpose is to

tell the BIOS where to look for the operating system on your computer. Usually, you will use this

parameter when you meet one of these error messages: Operating System not found", Error loading

operating system", Missing operating system" or Invalid partition table".

To start the repair process of the MBR, run: bootrec.exe /fixmbr.

How To Write A New Boot Sector

The /FixBoot parameter writes a new boot sector to the system partition. The tool will use a boot sector

that is compatible with your Windows version, whether it's Windows 7, 8 or 8.1. Using this parameter is

useful in the following situations:

The boot sector has been replaced with a non-standard Windows Vista, 7, 8 or 8.1 boot sector;



The boot sector is damaged;

An earlier Windows operating system has been installed after your version of Windows was

installed.

To start writing a new boot sector, use the command bootrec.exe /fixboot.

How To Rebuild The Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) contains a detailed list of what is supposed to load at startup.

Microsoft indicates that a boot error can also be caused by missing or damaged files in the BCD. The

/rebuildbcd parameter can be very useful when you must fix some errors by completely rebuilding the

BCD.

To completely rebuild the Boot Configuration Data, run this command: bootrec.exe

/rebuildbcd.

How To Add Missing Windows Installations To The Boot

Configuration Data

If your computer has multiple operating systems installed but not all of them are available, use the

/ScanOS option. Using this parameter on Bootrec.exe will launch a scan on all disks for any Windows

Vista, 7, 8 or 8.1 installations that are not currently included in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD).



In the screenshot below, you can have a look at how this scan process might look.

If the bootrec.exe /scanos command returns results, you will be able to continue the repair process. In

the end, you will get the lost Windows installation back into the secure BCD table, thus making it

bootable again.

First of all you have to clean the Master Boot Record (MBR) by using bootrec /fixmbr. Next, type

bootsect.exe /nt60 all /force and press Enter. The /nt60 parameter applies the master boot code that is

compatible with BOOTMGR. The /all argument updates the master boot code on all partitions. The

/force parameter forcibly dismounts the volume(s) during the boot code update so that the Bootsect.exe

tool does not gain exclusive volume access.

Running all these commands will create a new MBR and tell it to use the correct Windows boot loader

in order to load that specific installation from your drive.

Conclusion

As you can from this tutorial, Bootrec.exe is a very powerful tool for troubleshooting and fixing

problems with your computer's boot records. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave a

comment. We'll try our best to help you.

Discover more: Best of 7 Tutorials Tutorials Programs Command Prompt System

Recovery Windows 8 Windows 7



Comments

Related articles:

How To Start The Command Prompt When Windows Doesn't Boot?

5 Ways to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1

Fix Problems That Keep Windows 8.1 From Loading With Start-up Repair

by jasray on 12/01/2010 - 23:56

Yes, a great sheet of commands. I never knew how easy it really was to fix boot problems until I

accidentally discovered the fixboot, etc. commands. A great sheet to print or have on a second

computer.

reply

by william on 12/02/2010 - 04:29

RE: software to backup BCD

my machine comes with an OEM windows 7 installation so i don't have an installation disc right at

my finger tips.

i am looking for a software to backup the boot elements (that BCD thing) and to restore the boot

archive before windows 7 is being launched.

any suggestions?

thankyou

William,

Hongkong

2-12-2010

reply

by jasray on 12/02/2010 - 04:45

Easy BCD

http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

reply



by william on 12/02/2010 - 08:52

i guess easy bcd only allows for a disc restore.

i don't think you can restore only the BCD.

reply

by william on 12/02/2010 - 08:49

to my knowledge, easy bcd does offer a backup of that BCD thing, but easy bcd only allows for a disc

restore. i don't think you can restore only the BCD.

reply

by Changing boot menu on 12/02/2010 - 19:35

"First of all you have to clean Master Boot Record (MBR) by using bootrec /fixmbr as in an earlier

section. Next, type bootsect.exe /nt60 all /force and press Enter. The /nt60 parameter applies the

master boot code that is compatible with BOOTMGR"

Does anyone knows the code for switching back to XP bootmenu?

Remember I've seen this nt60 been mentioned somewhere before and it was for get Vista/Win7

bootmenu on screen.

Thanks for a nice tutorial!

reply

by dave on 02/24/2015 - 18:49

try this command to restore Windows XP boot menu:

bcdedit /create {ntldr} -d windows xp

reply

by dave on 02/24/2015 - 19:26

or a slight variation of this command:

bcdedit /create {ntldr} /d "Windows XP"

The "d" stands for the drive that the windows xp is actually installed. If it is in drive c, then replace

the 'd' with a 'c'.

reply



by labatterie on 12/04/2010 - 11:00

I never knew how easy it really was to fix boot problems until I accidentally discovered the fixboot.

reply

by Liz on 09/28/2011 - 16:51

After many trials, this really fixed our pc. Thanks!!! :D It was my first time using cmd other than the

dir and sfc commands.

reply

by Ciprian Adrian Rusen on 09/28/2011 - 19:21

Glad we could help.

reply

by Sanjay Rathore on 09/16/2012 - 19:42

i did scan process bootrec.exe /scanos but i didn't find any operating system installation. what i can

do now.

pls help me.

reply

by Yogesh Patel on 09/26/2012 - 07:58

Really a great guide, I was able to fix my 4 hours PC problem with the above code execution!!!

reply

by Mick on 09/06/2013 - 12:08

bootrec.exe /nt60 all /force

not recognized as a command, then lists commands?

reply

by Ciprian Adrian Rusen on 09/06/2013 - 13:40

If you try to run bootrec.exe directly from Windows, it won't work.

In this guide we mention the following: boot from your Windows Setup DVD or a System Repair

Disc and launch Command Prompt.

bootrec.exe is included only on the System Repair disc.

reply



by Qua on 03/28/2014 - 14:01

What about when it refuses to recognize your keyboards (any of them, wired & wireless) so you

can't type anything in the command prompt? This is where I'm stuck & I'm going to try hirens boot

cd next, but I'm starting to feel like I'm going to have to do a fresh install of Windows AGAIN, after

only doing so about 4 months ago. :'(

reply

by jeff on 06/08/2014 - 21:56

With this tutorial, I was able to do what the Geek Squad couldn't do. I had to create a Win 7 boot CD

from another Win 7 computer then boot the defective computer from the created boot CD in safe

mode w/ command prompt. I couldn't access the C: until after I ran "chkdsk C: [Option]" from X:

(relocate and repair options for chkdsk were used). It found bad files and sectors, but that was not

enough. I had to reboot and access C: after having to run another chkdsk C:, then I had to implement

your "Rebuild Process" from C:. Trying to remove bad windows updates with pkgmgr did not work

from C: prompt. It was after a windows update my issue occurred. Thank you for posting!!! V/R, Jeff

reply

by sunny kumar on 07/18/2014 - 04:35

when i go to scanos steps, it again stucks for half an hour.

plz help

reply

by nshake on 12/04/2014 - 16:39

Thanks. I was on a dual boot system and I removed the Linux partition and was using grub only. I

used EASUS Partition Manager to merge two partitions and it had to reboot to finish the task. When

it rebooted, grub wouldn't start and was in Rescue Mode (grub rescue). My Windows partitions were

locked down because they were awaiting EASUS to finish merging the partitions. So repair from the

Windows 8 Install Disc was not an option. I tried everything, then found this post, booted from the

W8 Install Disc, selected CMD option, ran all these steps to "/scanos", typed " exit" into the CMD

Prompt, rebooted, and everything was fine. And my grub was completely gone (which was what I

was trying to do in the first place and why I was messing with the partitions) because I just wanted

the regular Windows Boot. You saved me hours. Thanks.

reply

by Chris Beattie on 01/16/2015 - 23:37

I have a dual boot windows 8.1 system on my lappy at the moment. Would following these steps

allow me to remove the slower boot option from start up?

reply



reply

by DEEPAK R SAHOO on 01/21/2015 - 21:49

Hi,

I'm using two operating systems(Win7 & Ubuntu12.04) in my computer. During the installation of

MATLAB in win7, it hung . So I restarted the computer by switching off the power. After this, I found a

problem related to automatic startup repair and tried to repair by bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec

/fixboot commands without any win7 cd or dvd (which was showing successful in command

prompt), but the same problem occurred when I restarted again. Also I'm not able to run ubuntu also

in my computer after this issue. I have some important data in it. Please help so that I should not

loose my data.

Thank you in advance for your help.

reply

by Ramin on 02/10/2015 - 13:29

Hi.Thanks for the guide.

I can't access cmd anymore.Not with safe mode-not with windows startup repair and not a CD also

The only way I can access my computer files is a kali Linux live cd.Anyway I do things you said

through it?

reply

by Smith on 02/25/2015 - 11:18

I AM MAKING AN ACCOUNT JUST TO SAY THANK YOU! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH YOU

SAVED ME! I LOVE YOU! I had searched through literally hundreds of websites and all of them didn't

have information that was relevant to me, but this...this made everything work.

Truly, THANK YOU!



Preview

Add new comment

Name *

E-mail *

Website

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam

submissions.

Your Answer

Notify me when new comments are posted

All comments

Replies to my comment

Enter search terms here...



Subscribe to 7 Tutorials

Daily

E-

mail

Newsletter

Weekly

E-

mail

Newsletter

RSS FacebookWindows

8

app

Google

Plus

TwitterWindows

Phone

app

Learn more about our subscription options

Recommended guides

How To Start The Command Prompt When Windows Doesn't Boot?s

Security For Everyone - Reviewing ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2015

How To Activate The WhatsApp Web App Using Your Windows Phone

How To Refresh A Windows 8.1 Installation Without Losing Your Data

Popular guides

Download The Biggest Library of Windows 7 & Windows 8 Shortcuts

How to Boot to the UEFI BIOS on any Windows 8.1 Tablet or Device

Which Windows Services Are Safe to Disable & When?



How to Copy a Disc (CD, DVD or Blu-Ray) in Windows

Learn Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 - the basics

Read all Windows 8.1 articles

Learn Windows Phone

Read our Windows Phone articles

Learn from our books

Except where otherwise noted, this site distributes content under a Creative Commons Attribution-

Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. Microsoft, Windows and the Windows logo are either

registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Microsoft Corporation in no way endorses or is affiliated with our site. All other products mentioned are

registered trademarks and/or trademarks of their respective companies. This blog is running on the Drupal

CMS - the best Content Management Platform.

Documents

How To Use Command Prompt To Fix Issues With Your PC's Boot Records.pdf