Bootmgr is missing Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart (Solved)

Windows computer fails to start with an error message like Bootmgr is missing Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart? Or Getting Couldn’t find BOOTMGR Error message at startup while turn on the computer / Laptop. This error means your BIOS cannot find the boot file in your boot volume, which prevents starting the Windows system normally. This error, Bootmgr is missing, usually due to corrupt and misconfigured files, hard drive Errors, bad sectors on the Hard disk and OS upgrade. Also, Outdated BIOS, and damaged or loose hard drive interface cables are the possible reasons behind the bootmgr is missing error. Let’s understand what is BOOTMGR and how to fix the BOOTMGR is missing error on your computer?

What is this BOOTMGR?

BOOTMGR is the short form of Windows Boot Manager a program that runs when you start your PC and loads your operating system from the hard drive. It’s a Read-only Software located on Boot Directory of the Active Partition. When you turn on the computer, The BOOTMGR read the boot configuration data and displays the OS selection menu.

The main work of this Bootmgr is to control boot volume, help you when a computer starts to load pre-installed windows.

But sometimes, If due to any Reason, the BOOTMGR file gets corrupted or misconfigured. Windows is unable to boot or load the operating system and display a message like :

• “BOOTMGR is missing Press Ctrl Alt Del to restart”
• “BOOTMGR is missing Press any key to restart”
• “BOOTMGR image is corrupt. The system cannot boot.”
• “Couldn’t find BOOTMGR”

If you Are also getting one of the above error messages while boot windows computer, here some applicable solutions to get rid of this.

Remove all connected media

If you plug any external media like USB Drive, your BIOS may probably load from the external device instead of the correct boot volume. Thus please remove all the connected media to your PC.

Check boot order in BIOS

If After removing all the connected media, BOOTMGR is missing error may still exist, Then you need to check boot order in BIOS. To do this  Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart your computer. While bootup windows or the manufacturer’s logo pops up, keep pressing the specific key (commonly it is F12) to get into BIOS.

NOTE: The key to get into BIOS can be F2,F8, F10,F12, Esc or Del, etc. If you are not sure, consult the manufacturer of your computer.

Here move to boot Tab using the left and right Arrow key Now Under the Boot tab, use ↑ or ↓ key to highlight your correct boot hard drive. Then use + or – key to move your boot drive onto the top to be the first boot device.

After make changes Click F10 to save settings and exit BIOS. Then your PC will restart automatically. Check if it could boot into your operating system successfully. If not, try the next solution please.

Access Advanced Options

Windows include an inbuilt Automatic repair tool that checks and fixes all startup Errors that prevent Windows from starting normally. Before performing any troubleshooting steps, we recommend first performing the startup repair.

First insert the Windows 10 bootable CD or DVD and restart your PC. Note: If you dont have windows installation media you can create one by following this how to create Windows bootable USB / DVD.

Now, when prompted to press any key to boot from CD or DVD, click any key on the keyboard.

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

Then click on Troubleshoot and select the Advanced option, This will represent the Advanced options screen as shown below image.

Now On the Advanced options screen click on Startup Repair. This will restart the window to start the diagnostic process. And analyze the various settings, configuration options, and system files Especially look for :

1. Missing/corrupt/incompatible drivers
2. Missing/corrupt system files
3. Missing/corrupt boot configuration settings
4. Corrupt registry settings
5. Corrupt disk metadata (master boot record, partition table, or boot sector)
6. Problematic update installation

Wait until complete the process, After that windows will restart itself and start normally without any error like BOOTMGR is missing.

Repair corrupted BOOTMGR file

If startup repair failed to fix and still getting Bootmgr is missing Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart Then Repair the Corrupted / Damaged BOOTMGR file by performing the below steps. On Advanced options, screen Click on the command prompt which will allow you to launch the Bootrec.exe tool to repair the Master Boot Record on your Windows 10. Now perform Command bellow :

Bootrec /fixMbr

To repair Master Boot Record corruption problems, or when you need to clean the code from the MBR. This command will not overwrite the existing partition table in the hard drive.

Bootrec /fixBoot

To fix if the boot sector was replaced with another non-standard code, the boot sector is damaged, or when you installed an early version of the operating system alongside another more recent version.

Bootrec /ScanOS

This option will scan all drives to find all compatible installations and it will display the entries that are not in the BCD store.

Bootrec /RebuildBcd

Use Bootrec /RebuildBcd command to rebuild the BCD (Boot Configuration Data) store.

After That Type exit to close the command prompt and restart Windows check Windows started normally.

Rebuild BCD using the command

If after performing the above solutions still having the same problem Bootmgr Is Missing at startup? Then perform below commands to export and erase the BCD store and using the RebuildBcd command again to try getting Windows 10 to boot.

Again, open the command prompt from advanced options and perform below commands one by one.

BCDedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
C:
CD boot
Attrib BCD -s -h -r
Ren C:\boot\bcd bcd.old
Bootrec /RebuildBcd

Press Y to confirm adding Windows 10 to the list of bootable operating system on your computer. Type exit to close the Command Prompt and Restart windows check started normally.

Repair Windows Image

Again open the command prompt from Advanced options and perform the command below. To repair the Windows image, which may cause this error.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After executing the command successfully, type the command sfc /scannow to repair the corrupted / missing system files. Wait until 100% complete the command. After that, Restart windows and check. I hope this time Windows start normally.