How to Write a New Partition Boot Sector in Windows
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Boot sector issues also occur in Windows XP, but the solution involves a different process. Start Advanced Startup Options (Windows 11, 10 & 8) or System Recovery Options (Windows 7 & Vista). Open Command Prompt. The Command Prompt available from the Advanced Startup Options and System Recovery Options menus is similar to the one available from within Windows, and works very similarly between operating systems. At the prompt, type the bootrec command as shown below and then press Enter. bootrec /fixboot This will write a new partition boot sector to the current system partition. Any configuration or corruption issues with the partition boot sector that might have existed are now corrected. You should see the following message at the command line: The operation completed successfully. Restart your computer with Ctrl+Alt+Del or manually via the reset or power button. Depending on how you started Advanced Startup Options or System Recovery Options, you may need to remove a disc or flash drive before restarting. Assuming that a partition boot sector issue was the only problem, Windows should start normally now. If not, continue to troubleshoot whatever specific issue you're seeing that's preventing Windows from booting normally. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Write a New Partition Boot Sector for Windows XP Fixboot Command (Recovery Console) Master Boot Record Definition (MBR, Sector Zero) How to Rebuild the BCD in Windows How to Use Bootsect /nt60 to Update the VBC to BOOTMGR How to Fix 'BOOTMGR Is Missing' in Windows How to Properly Reboot (Restart) a Windows Computer How to Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 11/10/8 How to Use the Format Command to Write Zeros to a Hard Drive How to Fix NTLDR Is Missing and Related NTLDR Errors How to Fix a Computer That Won't Start in Safe Mode What Is the Master Boot Code? (MBC Definition) Startup Settings (What It Is and How to Use It) Recovery Console: What It Is & a List of Commands 11 Best Free Disk Partition Software Tools (Oct. 2022) How to Fix Problems During the Windows Login Process Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
How to Write a New Partition Boot Sector in Windows
Use the BOOTREC command to fix issues with the partition boot sector
By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 22, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying GuideWhat to Know
Go to Advanced Startup Options (Windows 11, 10 & 8) or System Recovery Options (Windows 7 & Vista) and open Command Prompt.Enter bootrec /fixboot to write a new partition boot sector to the current system partition.Remove any recovery disc or flash drive and restart your computer with Ctrl+Alt+Del or manually via the reset or power button. The solution to a damaged partition boot sector is to overwrite it with a new, properly configured one using the bootrec command, a relatively easy process that anyone can do. These instructions apply to Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.How to Write a New Partition Boot Sector
If the partition boot sector becomes corrupted or misconfigured in some way, Windows will not be able to start properly, prompting an error like BOOTMGR is Missing, very early in the boot process. When this happens, follow these steps:Boot sector issues also occur in Windows XP, but the solution involves a different process. Start Advanced Startup Options (Windows 11, 10 & 8) or System Recovery Options (Windows 7 & Vista). Open Command Prompt. The Command Prompt available from the Advanced Startup Options and System Recovery Options menus is similar to the one available from within Windows, and works very similarly between operating systems. At the prompt, type the bootrec command as shown below and then press Enter. bootrec /fixboot This will write a new partition boot sector to the current system partition. Any configuration or corruption issues with the partition boot sector that might have existed are now corrected. You should see the following message at the command line: The operation completed successfully. Restart your computer with Ctrl+Alt+Del or manually via the reset or power button. Depending on how you started Advanced Startup Options or System Recovery Options, you may need to remove a disc or flash drive before restarting. Assuming that a partition boot sector issue was the only problem, Windows should start normally now. If not, continue to troubleshoot whatever specific issue you're seeing that's preventing Windows from booting normally. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Write a New Partition Boot Sector for Windows XP Fixboot Command (Recovery Console) Master Boot Record Definition (MBR, Sector Zero) How to Rebuild the BCD in Windows How to Use Bootsect /nt60 to Update the VBC to BOOTMGR How to Fix 'BOOTMGR Is Missing' in Windows How to Properly Reboot (Restart) a Windows Computer How to Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 11/10/8 How to Use the Format Command to Write Zeros to a Hard Drive How to Fix NTLDR Is Missing and Related NTLDR Errors How to Fix a Computer That Won't Start in Safe Mode What Is the Master Boot Code? (MBC Definition) Startup Settings (What It Is and How to Use It) Recovery Console: What It Is & a List of Commands 11 Best Free Disk Partition Software Tools (Oct. 2022) How to Fix Problems During the Windows Login Process Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies