How to Repair Windows 10 Boot Partition Including Files

What is Windows 10 boot partition?

The Windows 10 boot partition is a specific partition on your computer’s hard drive that contains the necessary files for the Windows operating system to start or "boot" up. When your computer turns on, it reads these files to load the Windows OS and begin running.

Typically, the boot partition is different from the partition where the Windows operating system is installed (called the system partition). The boot partition holds files like:

» Boot Configuration Data (BCD): Stores information about how Windows boots, such as the location of the operating system.

» bootmgr (Windows Boot Manager): Manages the boot process.

» winload.exe: This is the file that loads the Windows kernel and starts the operating system.

In most cases, this partition is a small, hidden partition (around 100-500 MB) created by Windows during installation. You usually won’t see it in the file explorer, but it is critical for the system to start up. If this partition becomes corrupted or deleted, your PC may fail to boot properly.

What causes boot partition failure?

Boot partition failure occurs when a computer cannot access the necessary files to load the operating system. Common causes include:

❉ Corrupted boot files: Essential files like the bootloader may become damaged due to improper shutdowns or malware.

❉ Hard drive failure: Physical damage or wear can prevent the system from accessing the boot partition.

❉ File system errors: Corruption of the file system can make the partition unreadable.

❉ MBR or GPT corruption: Damage to the Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID Partition Table (GPT) can block access to the boot partition.

❉ Incorrect BIOS/UEFI settings: Incorrect settings may prevent the system from locating the boot partition.

How to repair Windows 10 boot partition

Here’s a detailed guide on how to repair the Windows 10 boot partition using various methods. Each method is explained step by step, so you can follow along easily.

Method 1. Use Startup Repair

Startup Repair is a built-in Windows tool that can automatically fix certain problems that prevent Windows from starting. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1. Insert a Windows 10 installation USB or DVD into your computer.

Step 2. Restart your PC and boot from the installation media. You may need to adjust the boot order in your BIOS/UEFI settings.

Step 3. Once the installation media loads, select your language preferences and click Next.

Step 4. Click on Repair your computer in the bottom left corner.

Step 5. In the recovery menu, select Troubleshoot. Next, select Advanced options.

Step 6. Click on Startup Repair. 

Step 7. Follow any on-screen instructions and restart your computer.

Method 2. Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) contains boot-time configuration parameters and controls how the operating system is started. If BCD is corrupted, it may cause boot issues.

Step 1. As with the previous method, insert your Windows installation media and boot from it.

Step 2. Select your language preferences and click Next.

Step 3. Click on Repair your computer.

Step 4. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Step 5. In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

Step 6. If you see a message saying a Windows installation was found, type Y to add it to the boot list.

Step 7. Type exit to close Command Prompt and restart your computer.

Method 3. Run System Restore

System Restore allows you to revert your computer to a previous state without affecting your personal files. This can be helpful if recent changes caused boot issues.

Step 1. Follow the same initial steps to boot from the installation media.

Step 2. Select your language preferences and click Next.

Step 3. Click on Repair your computer and choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4. Select Advanced options > System Restore.

Step 5. Choose your user account and enter your password if prompted.

Step 6. Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point before the issues began.

Step 7. After the process completes, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 4. Use boot repair tool

When your Windows 10 fails to boot, it can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant offer effective solutions to repair the boot partition and get your system running again.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a powerful disk management tool that not only allows you to manage disk partitions but also comes with various features, including a boot repair function. The “Boot Repair” feature of this tool is particularly useful for users who encounter boot errors or corrupted boot partitions including boot files.

Here are step-by-step guide:

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Step 1. Prepare a blank USB and connect it to a working PC that has installed AOMEI Partition Assistant, click "Recover" >"Boot Repair" and then click the "create a bootable disk" option to create a WinPE "Boot Repair" disk.

Step 2. Boot the PC that cannot boot into WinPE. It will automatically load the Boot Repair tool and start the boot entries scan process. All boot entries will be displayed.

Step 3. Select the repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the "Repair" button to start the repair.

Step 4. Once the repair is repaired successfully, you can remove the bootable disk and boot the PC from the original system drive.

Conclusion

Repairing the Windows 10 boot partition can often be accomplished through a few simple methods. Whether you choose to use Startup Repair, rebuild the BCD, run System Restore, or use a third-party Boot Repair tool, these steps should help you resolve boot issues effectively. Always remember to back up your important data to avoid loss during the repair process. If you are a Windows Server user, you can use AOMEI Partition Assistant Server to fix it.