Before we dive into the solutions, it’s important to understand what a corrupted boot is and what causes it. A corrupted boot occurs when critical system files necessary for the boot process are damaged, missing, or improperly configured. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as a power outage during an update, a virus or malware infection, or even a hardware failure.
If you’re experiencing a corrupted boot, you may encounter various error messages, such as “Boot Configuration Data file is missing,” “Windows failed to start,” or a blue screen of death (BSOD). In some cases, your computer may not boot at all, leaving you with a blank screen or a spinning circle.
Regardless of the specific error, it’s crucial to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent further data loss or system damage. In this guide, we’ll cover several methods to help you fix a corrupted boot in Windows 10, ranging from using the built-in Startup Repair tool to performing a clean reinstallation of the operating system.
Method 1: Using the Startup Repair Tool
The Startup Repair tool is a built-in utility in Windows 10 that can help fix various boot-related issues, including a corrupted boot. Here’s how to use it:
Boot your computer from a Windows 10 installation media (USB drive or DVD).
Select your language preferences and click “Next.”
Click “Repair your computer” in the bottom-left corner.
Select “Troubleshoot” from the Choose an option screen.
Click “Advanced options.”
Select “Startup Repair” and follow the on-screen instructions.
The Startup Repair tool will scan your system for any issues and attempt to fix them automatically. If it’s successful, your computer should boot normally. If not, proceed to the next method.
Method 2: Repairing the Master Boot Record (MBR)
The Master Boot Record (MBR) is a crucial part of your computer’s boot process. If it’s corrupted, your computer may not be able to start up properly. You can use the bootrec utility to repair the MBR:
Boot your computer from a Windows 10 installation media.
Select your language preferences and click “Next.”
Click “Repair your computer” in the bottom-left corner.
Select “Troubleshoot” from the Choose an option screen.
Click “Advanced options.”
Select “Command Prompt.”
In the command prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Exit the command prompt and restart your computer.
After running these commands, your computer should be able to boot normally. If the issue persists, move on to the next method.
Method 3: Scanning for Corrupted System Files
Corrupted or missing system files can also cause boot issues in Windows 10. You can use the System File Checker (SFC) utility to scan for and replace any damaged files:
Boot your computer from a Windows 10 installation media.
Select your language preferences and click “Next.”
Click “Repair your computer” in the bottom-left corner.
Select “Troubleshoot” from the Choose an option screen.
Click “Advanced options.”
Select “Command Prompt.”
In the command prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on-screen instructions.
The SFC utility will scan your system for any corrupted files and attempt to replace them with known-good copies. If the scan finds any issues, it should fix them automatically. If the problem persists, try the next method.
Method 4: Using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Tool
The DISM tool is another built-in utility in Windows 10 that can help fix various system issues, including boot problems. Here’s how to use it:
Boot your computer from a Windows 10 installation media.
Select your language preferences and click “Next.”
Click “Repair your computer” in the bottom-left corner.
Select “Troubleshoot” from the Choose an option screen.
Click “Advanced options.”
Select “Command Prompt.”
In the command prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait for the DISM tool to complete its tasks.
Exit the command prompt and restart your computer.
The DISM tool will scan and repair any issues with your Windows 10 image, which can help resolve boot problems. If none of the above methods work, you may need to perform a clean reinstallation of Windows 10.
Method 5: Clean Reinstallation of Windows 10
If all else fails, a clean reinstallation of Windows 10 may be necessary to fix a corrupted boot. This will erase all your files, settings, and installed programs, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding. Here’s how to do it:
Create a bootable Windows 10 installation media (USB drive or DVD).
Boot your computer from the installation media.
Select your language preferences and click “Next.”
Click “Install now.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
After the reinstallation is complete, your computer should boot normally. Keep in mind that you’ll need to reinstall any programs and restore your backed-up data.