The BOOTMGR (Windows Boot Manager) is a crucial component of the Windows operating system that is responsible for loading the volume boot code and starting your computer. When this file is missing or corrupted, you’ll encounter the dreaded “BOOTMGR is missing” error, which can prevent your system from booting up properly.
Fixing BOOTMGR is Missing Without CD or USB
Traditionally, the recommended solution for a “BOOTMGR is missing” error has been to use a Windows installation CD or USB drive to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and run various repair tools. However, what if you don’t have access to a physical installation media? Fortunately, there are several methods you can try to fix the BOOTMGR issue without a CD or USB drive.
Entering the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
The first step in fixing the BOOTMGR issue without a CD or USB is to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This can be done by following these steps:
Reboot your computer and repeatedly press the F8 key during the boot process. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.
Select “Repair your computer” from the list of options.
This will take you to the System Recovery Options menu, where you can access various troubleshooting tools.
Running Startup Repair
Once you’re in the System Recovery Options menu, one of the first things you can try is the Startup Repair tool. This utility will scan your system for any issues that may be preventing Windows from booting properly and attempt to fix them. Here’s how to run Startup Repair:
In the System Recovery Options menu, select “Startup Repair”.
Follow the on-screen instructions to let the tool analyze and attempt to fix any issues.
If the Startup Repair is successful, your computer should be able to boot normally.
Using the Command Prompt
If the Startup Repair doesn’t work, you can try using the Command Prompt in the Windows Recovery Environment to manually fix the BOOTMGR issue. Here are the steps:
In the System Recovery Options menu, select “Command Prompt”.
In the Command Prompt, run the following commands:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
After running these commands, try rebooting your computer to see if the BOOTMGR issue has been resolved.
Performing a System Restore
If the previous methods haven’t worked, you can try restoring your system to a previous state using the System Restore feature in the Windows Recovery Environment. This can help undo any recent changes that may have caused the BOOTMGR issue. Here’s how to do it:
In the System Recovery Options menu, select “System Restore”.
Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point and complete the process.
Once the system restore is finished, try rebooting your computer to see if the BOOTMGR issue has been resolved.
Performing a Clean Installation of Windows
If all the above methods fail to fix the BOOTMGR issue, your last resort may be to perform a clean installation of Windows. This will completely remove the existing Windows installation and reinstall a fresh copy of the operating system. Keep in mind that this will erase all your data, so be sure to back up any important files before proceeding.
To perform a clean installation of Windows, you’ll need to create a bootable Windows installation media, either on a CD, DVD, or USB drive. Once you have the installation media, follow these steps:
Insert the Windows installation media and boot your computer from it.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Once the installation is finished, your computer should be able to boot normally without the BOOTMGR issue.