[Full Guide] How to Rebuild MBR | Fix Damaged MBR

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.

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.

How to Rebuild or Repair MBR with EaseUS Partition Master

Step 1. Create a WinPE bootable disk

• Launch EaseUS Partition Master, click "WinPE Creator" on the toolbar. Select to create the bootable disk on a USB drive. If your computer has a CD/DVD drive, you can also create the bootable disk to CD/DVD.
• Click "Proceed" 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

• Right-click the disk whose MBR is damaged. Choose "Rebuild MBR" to continue.
• Select the type of MBR with the current operating system. Then, click "OK".

• Click the "Execute Operation" button at the top-left corner and click "Apply" to build the MBR. After that, your computer can boot normally again.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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. 

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