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Fix MBR (Master Boot Record) Errors in Windows 10 & 11

Have trouble booting into Windows due to strange boot errors? Here are some methods for resolving MBR issues in Windows 10 and 11.

You may not encounter boot issues frequently, but they are more common than you think. When boot errors happen, everything becomes extra tricky because you cannot boot into the system. There are many reasons for Master Boot Record or MBR errors in Windows. The reasons include but are not limited to unexpected power outages, uninstalling core Windows components, altering the MBR, and more.

If you ever encounter such annoying Windows boot errors or failures, here is how to fix MBR errors in Windows in just a few simple steps.

Table of contents:

The steps below work the same in Windows 10 and 11.

Reasons for Windows Boot Errors

Boot failures in Windows are frequently caused by purposeful or unintentional activities such as deleting critical boot files on the system disc (C:), removing a second operating system without first altering the boot record appropriately, modifying the boot record incorrectly, boot file corruption, and so on.

Open Command Prompt from Windows Recovery Environment

To fix MBR errors, you must first know how to open Command Prompt when you cannot log into Windows. There are several approaches you can take. The first is helpful if you do not have access to a Windows installation drive. The second technique is useful if you cannot use the first method for whatever reason and have Windows installation USB.

I’ll demonstrate both of these techniques. Choose the best one for you, and then fix Windows boot errors.

Without Windows Installation Media

You can open the Command Prompt from the Windows Recovery environment. The advantage of this method is that you do not require Windows installation media. Here’s how to go about it.

To begin, turn on your computer and continually press the “F8” or “Shift + F8” shortcut as it boots; Windows will enter recovery mode. The same thing will happen if you interrupt the boot process three times.

Select the “Troubleshoot” option in the recovery environment.

Fix Mbr Errors Windows - Select Troubleshoot

Choose “Advanced Options.”

Select Advanced Options

Choose “Command Prompt” here.

Select Command Prompt

For security reasons, you may be requested to select a user account and provide the necessary password. Do those to continue. Once the command prompt is open, follow the procedures to repair MBR errors.

From Windows Installation Media

You can use the Windows installation media if you cannot access the recovery environment using the F8 key method. This is how.

Insert the Windows installation media into your device, restart, and boot into it.

Note: If you can’t boot into the Windows installation disc, ensure your bios boot priority is set correctly. First is the CD/DVD or USB, then the standard Hard Disk/SSD.

Select the “Next” option.

Click Next on the installation screen

Now, click the “Repair your computer” link at the bottom.

Click on the Repair your computer link

Choose “Troubleshoot” from the menu.

Fix Mbr Errors Windows - Select Troubleshoot

Then, choose “Command Prompt.”

Select Command Prompt

After you’ve launched the Command Prompt, fix MBR issues in Windows 10 and 11.

Fix MBR Errors in Windows 10 & 11

Windows boot issues can be resolved quickly. All you need to do is carry out a few commands. This is how you do it.

To fix the Master Boot Record, use the command below.

bootrec /fixmbr
Run Fixmbr Command

(Optional) Use the command below to repair the boot record if you are dual booting and one of the other operating systems (like Linux) modified or replaced the original boot record.

bootrec /fixboot

(Optional) If you are dual-booting multiple Windows systems, like Windows 10 and 11, then use the below command. It will scan your system and add all the operating systems to the boot screen. It allows you to select an operating system while booting.

bootrec /scanos
Run Scanos Command

Occasionally, boot issues could also be brought on by corrupted or damaged Boot Configuration Data. Use the command given below to fix the boot configuration data.

bootrec /rebuildbcd
Run Boot Configuration Data Command

All done. In Windows 10 and 11, fixing the MBR is that easy.

I hope you found this short and quick Windows how-to helpful guide.

If you are stuck or require assistance, please email me, and I will do my best to assist you.

1 thought on “Fix MBR (Master Boot Record) Errors in Windows 10 & 11”

  1. Avatar for AgedTra;mp

    Is it just me, or have none of you people ever formatted and NTFS drive and then looked at it in a Partition program? because if you had you would have noticed that the drive that you just formatted without an OS on it, also has an MBR on it.

    Windows used to use FAT(File Attribute Table) when it formatted a drive, then Windows made NTFS the Master system, but to separate this File System from FAT, they called it MBR.

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