Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. EaseUS Partition Master Step 1. Create a WinPE bootable disk; Step 2. Boot EaseUS Partition Master Bootable USB...Full steps
Fix 2. CMD

1. Repair MBR in Windows 10/8/8.1...Full steps

2. Repair MBR in Windows 7...Full steps

3. Repair MBR in Windows XP...Full steps

You may never feel strange by those error messages: "Operating System not found" or a blank screen without any message when you boot the computer? Sometimes you may corrupt Windows' MBR (Master Boot Record) unintentionally and come with the problem of failing to enter the system. In this situation, rebuilding MBR rather than reinstalling Windows will be much more convenient and time-saving.

EaseUS Partition Master has already offered the function to rebuild MBR in the case of boot failure due to MBR problems. Please see the following step-by-step instructions to rebuild MBR.

What is MBR

Have you figured out what is MBR? MBR is the abbreviation of Master Boot Record, which is also known as the master boot sector. It is the first sector that must be read when the PC is turned on to access the hard disk.

The MBR grabs the size and location of each partition on the hard disk.

mbr disk structure

As you can check on the image, the MBR consists of three parts:  Master Boot Code (Take 466Bytes), Disk Partition Table (Take 648Bytes), and the Boot Signature.

What Happen If MBR Getting Damaged

Because MBR belongs to your PC's startup system, your PC won't be running when your MBR is damaged. It holds the information of your disk partition.

Then how does MBR get corrupted:

  • Drive failures
  • Virus 
  • Malware
  • System shutdown

The error message of MBR:

  • Operating system not found.
  • Reboot and select proper boot.
  • Error loading operating system.
  • Non-system disk error

What you are going to do is to rebuild your MBR for re-using your PC. Don't worry. EaseUS Partition Master will help you rebuild MBR without data loss. Check the steps in the next part.

Free Download 

Windows 11/10/8/7100% Secure

How to Rebuild or Repair MBR with EaseUS Partition Master

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.
create a bootable disk

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".

rebuild MBR

  • Select the disk and the type of MBR. Then, click "Rebuild".
rebuild MBR
  • After that, you can see "MBR has been successfully rebuilt on Disk X".
rebuild MBR

This rebuild MBR feature can fix the master boot code problem, but it can not solve your problem if the Windows Operating System files are corrupted. Besides, creating a WinPE bootable disk is unavailable in EaseUS Partition Master, which can help you access and manage your computer disks/partitions when your OS cannot boot.

See also:

Using CMD to Rebuild MBR

1. Repair MBR in Windows 10/8/8.1

Step 1. Boot from the recovery USB or the original installation DVD.

Step 2. Move to the install screen, click Repair your computer.

repair your computer

Step 3. On the Choose an option screen, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt

rebuild or fix mbr in windows 10

Step 4. Input the command lines and press Enter each time: 

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

rebuild or fix mbr in windows 8

Step 5. Remove the DVD/USB from your PC.

Step 6. Input exit and restart your PC.

2. Fix MBR in Windows 7

Step 1. Boot your PC from the installation DVD.

Step 2. You can see "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD", press any key to boot from the DVD.

Step 3. Select a language and select a keyboard layout.

Step 4. Click Next.

Step 5. Choose the operating system and click Next. Check "Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows".

Step 6. At the System Recovery Options screen, select Command Prompt.

windows mbr fix

Step 7. Type the command lines and hit Enter each time:

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

rebuild or fix mbr in windows 7

Step 8. Remove the DVD/USB from your PC, and type exit. Restart your computer.

3. Repair MBR in Windows XP

Step 1. Boot from the Windows XP CD.

Step 2. Press any key to boot from the CD.

Step 3. Then you can see the Welcome to the Setup screen, press R to run Recovery Console.

xp recovery console

Step 4. Answer the question.

"Which Windows installation would you like to log onto" - type 1 and press Enter.

"Type the Administrator password" - input the password and press Enter.

Step 5. Type fixmbr and press Enter.

"Are you sure you want to write a new MBR?" - press Y and hit Enter.

Step 6. Remove the Windows XP CD and type exit.

Step 7. Restart your PC.

Final Words about Fixing MBR

To sum up, we have shown the full guide relating to MBR. If your MBR is corrupted, you can try the two ways we introduced, the MBR repair tool and CMD.

To recommend the straight way, EaseUS Partition Master is the right one to rebuild MBR without CD and data loss. Get a free download in seconds. 

Free Download 

Windows 11/10/8/7100% Secure

P.S. If you have any problems with Master Boot Record repair, you can chat with our online service agent or send an email to [email protected]

Extra Tips to Fix MBR in Windows 

1. Will rebuilding MBR delete data?

Data loss won't happen unless you apply improper methods to rebuild it. Your PC might fail to boot because of the wrong operation. Check the best solution in part 1.

2. How to fix MBR windows 10 without CD?

Step 1. Restart your PC. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del. (If it doesn't work, repeat restart and press the button one more time.)

Step 2. The "Preparing automatic repair, Diagnose, Attempting Repairs" appears.

Step 3. Choose Advanced options.

Step 4. Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Windows startup setting > Restart

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Updated by Tracy King

Tracy joined in EaseUS in 2013 and has been working with EaseUS content team for over 10 years. Being enthusiastic in computing and technology, she writes tech how-to articles and share technical solutions to resolve Windows & Mac data recovery, data backup, partition management, data transfer, Windows update issues, etc.

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Written by Daisy

Daisy is the Senior editor of the writing team for EaseUS. She has been working in EaseUS for over ten years, starting from a technical writer to a team leader of the content group. As a professional author for over 10 years, she writes a lot to help people overcome their tech troubles.

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