How to fix "BOOTMGR is missing" error on Windows

If you got up one morning and you power on your computer and gets the message BOOTMGR is missing be it on Windows Vista, 7, 8.0, 8.1 or 10, you will find a solution on this page on how to fix the error.

If you got up one morning and you power on your computer and gets the message BOOTMGR is missing be it on Windows Vista, 7, 8.0, 8.1 or 10, you will find a solution on this page on how to fix the error.

Before we walk you through the process, we believe it is worth having a kin knowledge of why you are getting the error BOOTMGR is missing when you start up your Windows Computer.

Why BOOTMGR is missing error occurs

When you turn on the computer, the BIOS runs the Power On Self Test(POST) processes before booting your Windows copy. The error appears right after the POST process is completed and Windows starts to load.

The POST is a set of routines that are run immediately when starting the PC, such as checking if your RAM, peripheral devices and other hardware components your PC has been working correctly.

After these routines are completed by the BIOS, the Windows boot loader begins, where this error is going to appear.

The BOOTMGR error can be caused by many things, including boot sector viruses, failed Windows installs or updates or crashed hard disks.

A very common reason for your PC to fail to load and displaying this error is when it tries to boot from a hard or flash drive that is non-bootable.


Below, we have listed different possible ways to fix "BOOTMGR is missing" error on your Windows Computer.

Methods used to fix BOOTMGR is missing error

You can use different methods to fix the "BOOTMGR is missing" error on your computer, and these methods range from the use of Windows boot manager repair tools which automatically fixes the error to a manual fix using system repair, bootrec.exe to rebuild BCD and much more.

If you are looking for an automatic repair procedure, you can consider using the Easy Recovery Essentials Tool by NeoSmart.

On this page, we are going to be using other manual methods.

Fix BOOTMGR is missing error using Startup repair.

For this method, you will need to have a Windows installation media like a bootable USB pen drive or CD. Once you have an installation media, follow these steps to fix "BOOTMGR is missing" error on your Computer.

1. Insert your Windows install media,
2. Restart your computer and boot from the CD or USB drive. The boot key will depend on the Computer mark you are using. On most computers, you will need to press the F9 or F12 function  key to select your bootable media,
3. Press any key when you see the “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD” message. Windows will load files and you will be taken to the installation screen. Here our goal is not to install Windows, but to repair the BOOTMGR.
4. Click Repair your computer after selecting your language, time and keyboard method
5. Select the drive of your Windows installation and click Next. The standard drive is usually C:\
6. Select Startup Repair
7. Wait for the process to finish
8. Done.

Fix "BOOTMGR is missing" error by running System Restore

Another method you can use to fix the boot manager error is by using the System Restore option. Listed below are the steps to follow;

1. Insert the Windows installation media.
2. Restart your computer and boot from the install media,
3. Press a key when “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD” message appears on your screen,
4. Click on Repair your computer on the install screen,
5. Select the drive where you installed Windows (usually C:\)
6. Click Next
7. Select System Restore from the System Recovery Options box,
8. Follow the System Restore wizard instructions to select a restore point
9. Restore your PC by clicking Finish