How to Fix “BOOTMGR is Missing” Error in Windows 7 Without CD or USB

If you encounter the dreaded “BOOTMGR is missing” error when booting your Windows 7 PC, don’t panic. This error typically occurs when the Master Boot Record (MBR) or Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is corrupted or missing. Fortunately, there are several methods to fix this issue without needing a Windows installation CD or USB drive.

Method 1: Use System Restore

One way to resolve the “BOOTMGR is missing” error is by using System Restore. This feature allows you to revert your system to a previous restore point, which may fix any boot issues. Here’s how to do it:

1. Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
2. Select “Repair your computer” and press Enter.
3. Choose your keyboard layout and click “Next”.
4. Select “System Restore” and click “Next”.
5. Choose a restore point prior to when the error occurred and click “Next”.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the System Restore process.

If System Restore doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try the following methods.

Method 2: Use the Bootrec Command in Windows Recovery Environment

Another way to fix the “BOOTMGR is missing” error is by using the Bootrec command in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Here’s how:

1. Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
2. Select “Repair your computer” and press Enter.
3. Choose your keyboard layout and click “Next”.
4. Click “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt”.
5. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:

    bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /rebuildbcd 

6. Restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.

If the above methods don’t work, you can try the following steps.

Method 3: Rebuild the Master Boot Record (MBR)

If the MBR is corrupted, you can rebuild it using a third-party partition management tool like MiniTool Partition Wizard. Here’s how:

1. Download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard on a working computer.
2. Create a bootable USB drive or CD/DVD using the “Bootable Media” feature in MiniTool Partition Wizard.
3. Connect the bootable media to your computer and boot from it.
4. In the MiniTool Partition Wizard interface, right-click on the target disk and select “Rebuild MBR”.
5. Click “Apply” to perform the MBR restoration.
6. Exit the program and restart your computer.

If you prefer to use the command line, you can try the following steps:

1. Create a Windows 7 installation USB drive or CD using another computer.
2. Boot your computer from the installation media.
3. Select your language and click “Next”.
4. Click “Repair your computer” > “Troubleshoot” > “Command Prompt”.
5. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:

    bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /rebuildbcd 

6. Restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.

If none of the above methods work, you may need to perform a clean installation of Windows 7. However, before doing so, make sure to back up all your important data to an external drive.

In conclusion, the “BOOTMGR is missing” error can be frustrating, but it’s not impossible to fix. By using System Restore, the Bootrec command, or rebuilding the MBR, you can often resolve the issue without needing a Windows installation CD or USB drive. If all else fails, a clean installation may be necessary, but be sure to back up your data first.