You may experience problems as a computer user at least once every week. Your screen might display the "BOOTMGR missing" error during startup, or your Windows screen could go into a blue screen.
These problems can be fixed using Windows startup repair, a Windows utility tool.
What exactly is the "Windows Startup Repair" utility?
Startup Repair is a Windows Recovery Utility that's named differently depending on the Windows Version.
- Startup Repair Windows 7, Vista
- Windows 8 Automatic Repair
- Reset: Windows 10
Windows Startup Repair attempts to repair unbootable computers automatically for a variety of reasons. Windows Startup Repair repairs your Windows if your Windows is unable to start or puts in technical terms. It also restores your boot volume files if your operating system has difficulty booting.
Issues Which Can be Solved By Startup Repair
Startup Repair can only fix certain problems, although it is an effective and useful tool. These are some of the issues that Startup Repair can fix.
- Your Registry is corrupted.
- Driver and system files are missing or damaged.
- Disk metadata corruption is a problem (MBR, partition tables, and boot sector).
- Any File system metadata corruption is possible.
- There are problems installing drivers or with the installation process.
- Incompatible errors are causing Windows service packs and patches to not be installed.
- The boot configuration data is corrupt.
- Startup Repair will detect bad memory or hard disk.
What are the Issues that Startup Repair Can’t Help With?
Windows Startup Repair is limited in its ability to fix certain issues. It cannot repair all problems.
It can't fix hardware problems such as incompatible memory or failing hard drives. Startup Repair cannot be used as a backup tool and it can't help you retrieve any personal files (viz. photos or documents).
Windows error recovery is unable to repair unbootable systems that are caused by any one of these issues:
- Any hardware component or firmware that is not working properly.
- Clean Windows installations and Windows upgrades.
- Windows login errors.
- Malicious software and viruses.
How do You Use Startup Repair?
Windows startup repair can be accessed via the built-in Windows recovery or recovery media.
Each of these three approaches will be discussed separately.
Startup Repair Can be Done From Windows Boot Menu
If Windows 8 or 10 cannot boot, you'll see the advanced boot options menu. This menu will allow you to go to Startup Repair by clicking Troubleshoot> Advanced Options > Startup Repair
Windows will ask for your password to attempt to repair your system automatically.
Windows 7 will display the Windows Error Recovery screen when Windows is unable to boot.
Windows will ask you for your username and password. Select the "Launch Startup Repair Recommended" option after it finishes. Windows will attempt to fix any problems that could prevent your computer from starting up.
You can manually get to Windows 7 if it won't start properly or doesn't display the Error Recovery screen. Turn the computer off completely. Turn it on, then keep pressing F8 while it boots. The Advanced Boot Options screen will appear. This is where Safe Mode would be launched. Click "Repair Your Computer" to start startup repair.
Launch Startup Repair from a Recovery Drive, or System Repair Disc
Windows may not be booting correctly and you are unable to use the startup fix option at boot. You can start startup repair using a system repair disc or recovery drive.
You can create a recovery disk from another computer with the same Windows version to fix the problem.
Windows 7 does not allow you to create a recovery disk by burning a DVD or CD. Windows 8 and 10 let you create a USB recovery disk or burn a recovery CD according to your preferences.
After creating the recovery disk, insert it into your computer and reboot from the USB drive. When prompted, choose the installed version of Windows. To run a startup repair operation, select "Startup Repair".
Start Startup Repair with Windows Installation Media
Startup Repair can also run from a Windows installation disk or USB drive.
You can get Windows 7 or 10 installation media from Microsoft.
You should ensure that the media you choose matches the version of Windows that you are trying to restore. For example, you might use Windows 10 media for a Windows 10 computer or Windows 7 media for Windows 7 computers.
Boot from the USB drive or disc that is having trouble booting.
Windows 8 and 10 users can choose to repair their computer instead of installing it. To perform startup repair, choose to Troubleshoot > Startup Repair.
Final Thoughts: Windows Startup Repair
Windows offers a powerful utility called startup repair. This tool, however, is not the solution to all problems as we have discussed.
These tips were helpful, we hope. Please share your thoughts in the comments.