How to Repair or Fix MBR (Master Boot Record) in Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP

Are you looking for a way to fix the MBR in Windows 10/8/7? On this page, we'll show you what is MBR, the causes and symptoms of MBR corruption, and how to fix MBR with practical fixes.

Check out the fixes and learn how to repair the corrupted MBR and make your PC boot up normally again:

Note: All the troubleshooting fixes are only available for MBR disk on Windows PC. If your OS disk is with GPT, turn to Repair EFI Bootloader in Windows 10/8/7 for help.

How to repair the damaged MBR? Here we'll provide a safe and reliable procedure to help you. Just follow the directions below.

What Is the MBR

The MBR, short for Master Boot Record, also known as the "master partition table" or "partition sector", is a boot sector (a region of your hard drive) that holds information about the partitions of your hard drive and acts as a loader for the operating system you're running.

The Master boot record is created by the MBR generator when you first install Windows on an MBR disk. It's the first 512 bytes of your hard disk as the image shown here. 

The MBR partition contains two important components: 

• Master Boot Code 
• Disk Partition Table

Both two components work together to transfers program control to the boot sector of that partition so as to continue the boot process and help Windows OS boot up successfully.

Learn More: What Is MBR Disk.

What Happens if MBR Corrupted

In this part, you'll learn:

1. 1. The causes of MBR corruption
2. 2. What happens if MBR corrupted
3. 3. When do you need to fix and repair MBR

Mostly, MBR corrupted or damaged error is caused by improper unplugging, sudden power failure, virus infection, etc.

What happens if MBR is corrupted? Corrupted or damaged MBR will stop you from entering the operating system, showing error messages like the operating system not found, or simply a black screen without any prompt message.

So what are the signs of MBR corruption?

If you receive the following error messages while booting up PC, it means that the MBR is corrupted on your PC:

1. 1.Error loading operating system
2. 2.Operating System not found
3. 3.Invalid partition table
4. 4. No bootable medium found
5. 5. Reboot and select proper boot device

If anyone of the above symptoms shows up on your PC, don't worry.

You can fix corrupted MBR immediately and make your computer boot up normally again with the fixes as shown in the next parts.

Method 1. Fix MBR in Windows 11/10/8/7 with EaseUS Partition Master

Applies to: Windows 11,10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, Vista; Windows 2000, Windows 2012.

Compared to the manual fixes, EaseUS partition software - Partition Master offers you the easiest resolution to fix MBR. It has a feature called "Rebuild MBR". Once the MBR (Master Boot Record) is damaged, you can simply apply this feature to fix the Master Boot Record without destroying the disk partition table.

To fix MBR, you have two options with the help of EaseUS Partition Master:

1. Connect the MBR hard disk to another working computer for repair; 2. Create a WinPE bootable disk to make your computer bootable.

If you have a spare computer, jump to Step 2 for a guide. Without a second computer, follow the process here to fix corrupted MBR on your own:

Step 1. Create a WinPE bootable disk

• Launch EaseUS Partition Master, and click "Bootable Media" on the toolbar. Select "Create bootable media".
• Click "Next" to finish the process.

Step 2. Boot EaseUS Partition Master Bootable USB

• Connect the bootable USB or CD/DVD to your PC. 
• Press F2 or Del when you restart the computer to enter the BIOS screen. Set and boot your computer from "Removable Devices" or "CD-ROM Drive". And then EaseUS Partition Master will run automatically.

Step 3. Rebuild MBR

• Click "Toolkit" and choose "Rebuild MBR".

• Select the disk and the type of MBR. Then, click "Rebuild".

• After that, you can see "MBR has been successfully rebuilt on Disk X".

Method 2. Fix MBR Using Command Prompt on Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP

Applies to: Manually repair corrupted MBR on Windows 10/8/7, Vista, etc.

When MBR is corrupted on Windows PCs, you can apply the possible ways to manually fix MBR on your PC using Command Prompt. As the Windows version differs, the specific steps also vary. 

Pick up the right resolution to fix MBR on your Windows PC now:

1. #1. Fix MBR on Windows 10
2. #2. Fix MBR on Windows 8.1/8
3. #3. Fix MBR on Windows 7
4. #4. Fix MBR on Windows Vista
5. #5. Fix MBR on Windows XP

Fix MBR on Windows 10 via CMD

To help you fix MBR in a more straightforward way, you may follow this video to start from 0:25 so as to repair MBR:

Step-by-step guide to open command Prompt to fix MBR in Windows 10:

Step 1. Boot PC from the original Windows installation DVD (or the recovery USB).

Step 2. At the Install screen, click "Repair your computer".

Step 3. Choose "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced Options" > "Command Prompt".

Step 4. Enter the following lines in Command Prompt and hit Enter each time: 

• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /scanos
• bootrec /rebuildbcd

Step 5. After this, type exit to close Command Prompt and restart Windows 10.

You should be able to boot Windows 10 successfully now.

Fix MBR in Windows 8.1/8 Using Command Prompt

Step 1. Boot from Windows installation DVD or recovery USB.

Step 2. Select "Repair your computer" at the Install screen.

Step 3. Go to Troubleshoot > Command Prompt.

Step 4. Type the following command lines and hit Enter each time:

• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /scanos
• bootrec /rebuildbcd

Step 5. Type exit and restart PC. 

Your Windows 8 computer should be able to boot up normally now. Sometimes, you may come across with 'Bootrec /fixboot access is denied' error, and don't worry. Here we have a solution for you:

Getting Bootrec /Fixboot Access Is Denied Error? Roundup Solutions

What to do when CMD warns 'bootrec /fixboot Access is denied' error message? This article offers all possible solutions for you to fix the [bootrec /fixboot access denied] in Windows 10/8/7

Fix MBR in Windows 7 via CMD

Step 1. Boot Windows 7 from its installation DVD.

Step 2. Press any key to boot from DVD.

Step 3. Select a language, keyboard layout, click "Next".

Step 4. Select "Operating System" and click "Next".

Remember to check "Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows".

Step 5. Click "Command Prompt" at the System Recovery Options screen.

Step 6. Type the following lines and hit Enter each time:

• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /rebuildbcd

Step 7. Type exit to close the window and restart your PC.

Now, you can visit files and applications on your Windows 7 computer again.

Fix MBR on Windows Vista

Step 1. Boot from Windows Vista installation CD or DVD.

Step 2. Select a language, keyboard layout, click "Next".

Step 3. Click "Repair your computer" at the Install screen.

Step 4. Select "Operating System" and click "Next".

Step 5. When the System Recovery Options appears, click "Command Prompt".

Step 6. Type the following lines and hit Enter each time:

• bootrec.exe /fixmbr
• bootrec.exe /fixboot​
• bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd

​Step 7. Type exit and hit Enter to close the window.

Restart Windows 7 and you can use everything on your computer again.

Fix MBR on Windows XP

Step 1. Boot from Windows XP CD.

Step 2. Open Recovery Console on the Welcome screens.

Step 3. Type 1 and hit Enter.

Step 4. Enter your password and hit Enter.

Step 5. Type fixmbr and hit Enter.

Step 6. Type Y and hit Enter.

Step 7. Type exit and hit Enter.

After this, restart your Windows XP computer, it will boot up normally again.

Conclusion

On this page, we explained what is MBR, what happens if the MBR corrupted, and under what circumstances you will need to fix the MBR. We also collect two practical ways to fix MBR in Windows 10/8/7/Vista, XP. 

For the easiest resolution, EaseUS Partition Master worths a try. It's easy and efficient in fixing MBR, making your PC bootable again. 

How to Fix MBR FAQs:

1. What does rebuild MBR mean?

Rebuild MBR is a process to repair corrupted MBR Partition Table and restore the Master Boot Code so as to enable computer load and boot up Windows OS again.

Also, reinstalling Windows can fix this issue. But it's not convenient and even complex for Windows beginners. To rebuild MBR is easier and time-saving.

EaseUS Partition Master is featured with the function of rebuild MBR, so it will help you solve the MBR corruption issues very easily in a few clicks.

2. Does delete MBR erase data?

If the MBR is deleted, the entire hard drive and data will be inaccessible. Generally, you can't directly access or see it in Windows File Explorer or in Disk Management. Also, to make the OS bootable, it's not allowed to edit or make any changes to it.

3. Where is the Master Boot Record MBR located?

The Master boot record is created when you first install Windows, on the first partition you create. The Master Boot Record is the first 512 bytes sector on your hard disk.

4. How to fix MBR error: Bootmgr is missing

Here are some quick fixes that you can try to fix "BOOTMGR is missing" error: 

• Restart PC
• Reset all internal data and power cables
• Remove all removable media
• Change the boot order in BIOS
• Copy or recreate BCD file
• Repair corrupted MBR

For more detailed steps, you may refer to Fix BOOTMGR Is Missing in Windows 10/8/7 for help.

5. How to fix MBR error: Operating system not found

Try the listed fixes, you'll be able to make your PC bootable again from Operating System Not Found error:

• Check BIOS
• Reboot from a bootable disk
• Set BIOS to its default settings
• Rebuild MBR using CMD or partition manager software
• Set correct partition active

For a step-by-step guide, follow Missing Operating System for help.