Skip to main content Microsoft Microsoft Office Windows Surface Xbox Deals Support Sign in to your account Sign in Windows support What's new Get Windows 10 Activate Install updates Tips Community Use Bootrec.exe in the Windows RE to troubleshoot startup issues Applies to: Windows 7 StarterWindows 7 Starter NWindows 7 Home Basic More Summary When you use the Recovery Environment (Windows RE) to troubleshoot startup issues, first try the Startup Repair option in the System Recovery Options dialog box. If this does not resolve the issue, or if you have to manually troubleshoot additional issues, use the Bootrec.exe tool. This article talks about how to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows RE to troubleshoot and repair the following items in Windows Vista or Windows 7: A master boot record (MBR) A boot sector A Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store You can also use the Bootrec.exe tool to troubleshoot a Windows Boot Configuration Data file is missing required information error. How to run the Bootrec.exe tool To run the Bootrec.exe tool, first start the Windows RE: Put the Windows Vista or Windows 7 media in the DVD drive, and then start the computer. Press a key when you are prompted. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard, or an input method, and then click Next. Click Repair your computer. Select the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt. Type Bootrec.exe, and then press Enter. Information icon Note To start the computer from the Windows Vista or Windows 7 DVD, the computer must be configured to start from the DVD drive. For information about how to do this, see the documentation that was included with the computer, or contact the computer manufacturer. The Bootrec.exe tool supports the following options. Use the option that's appropriate for your situation. /FixMbr This option writes a Windows 7 or Windows Vista-compatible MBR to the system partition. It does not overwrite the existing partition table. Use this option when you must resolve MBR corruption issues, or when you have to remove nonstandard code from the MBR. /FixBoot This option writes a new boot sector to the system partition by using a boot sector that's compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7. Use this option if one of the following conditions is true: The boot sector was replaced with a nonstandard Windows Vista or Windows 7 boot sector. The boot sector is damaged. An earlier Windows operating system was installed after Windows Vista or Windows 7 was installed. In this situation, the computer starts by using Windows NT Loader (NTLDR) instead of Windows Boot Manager (Bootmgr.exe). /ScanOs This option scans all disks for installations that are compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7. It also displays the entries that are currently not in the BCD store. Use this option when there are Windows Vista or Windows 7 installations that the Boot Manager menu does not list. /RebuildBcd This option scans all disks for installations that are compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7. Additionally, it lets you select the installations that you want to add to the BCD store. Use this option when you must completely rebuild the BCD store. Information icon Note Use the Bootrec.exe tool to troubleshoot a "Bootmgr Is Missing" error. If rebuilding the BCD store doesn't resolve the startup issue, you can export and delete the BCD store and then run this option again. By doing this, you make sure that the BCD store is completely rebuilt. To do this, type the following commands at the Windows RE command prompt: bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup c: cd boot attrib bcd -s -h -r ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old bootrec /RebuildBcd Last Updated: Apr 17, 2018 Need more help? Join the discussion Ask the community Get support Contact Us Email this article Print Subscribe RSS Feeds Did this solve your problem? What's new Surface Pro X Surface Laptop 3 Surface Pro 7 Windows 10 apps Office apps Microsoft Store Account profile Download Center Microsoft Store support Returns Order tracking Store locations Buy online, pick up in store In-store events Education Microsoft in education Office for students Office 365 for schools Deals for students & parents Microsoft Azure in education Enterprise Azure AppSource Automotive Government Healthcare Manufacturing Financial services Retail Developer Microsoft Visual Studio Windows Dev Center Developer Network TechNet Microsoft developer program Channel 9 Office Dev Center Microsoft Garage Company Careers About Microsoft Company news Privacy at Microsoft Investors Diversity and inclusion Accessibility Security English (United States) Contact us Terms of use Privacy and cookies Trademarks Safety & eco © Microsoft 2019