Ask a new question

bootrec not recognized by command prompt

Guys please help when I go to windows automatic repair an error pops out saying "Windows automatic repair could not fix your pc" so I tried going to command prompt running with admin of course and using the code bootrec /RebuildBcd and bootrec /FixBoot to fix it but a message pops out saying bootrec is not recognized so I don't know what to do. I tried searching bootrec.exe in drive c, windows, system 32 folder but I couldn't find it. How do i fix this and do I need a windows installation cd to activate bootrec and automatic repair or something? Please don't suggest using system restore points and system reset because I will not try those solutions for I already tried system restore and automatic repair still did not work and system reset for me will remove all my programs so I will not do it. I'm using windows 10 and with latest updates also tried sfc scan now with no issues and tried dism restorepoint already which completed successfully. 

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

Hey Mike. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Guardian Moderator here to help you.

Everything possible to get WIndows 10 to start is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

The correct syntax for the bootrec and RebuildBCD commands (which are different) is included. Please note that Rebuild BCD almost always requires exporting the BCD first and from the System partition which is usually not C but almost always the System Reserved or EFI System which may need to have a drive letter assigned first using Diskpart Assign=Z command. This is all noted in the tutorial.

Since you're against Reset or Clean Install, as a last resort you can use a bootable Partition manager to shrink C by around 50gb, install Windows 10 from bootable media to the shrink space, which will configure a Dual Boot Menu that may start the old install. If so you can delete the rescue install and Extend C back over it and it's fixed. If not gradually move into the new install, when ready I'll help you remove the old one and recover it's disk space into the new C.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I solved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

can you please tell me the code diskpart. so all i have to do is type diskpart z in command prompt right? I wish we can chat somewhere so I dont have to type and wait for your reply its quicker that way. like a chat box or something 

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

I tried what you said but I only have one disk available so how do I make a new one for my partion? It says

DISKPART> list disk


  Disk ###  Status         Size     Free     Dyn  Gpt
  --------  -------------  -------  -------  ---  ---
  Disk 0    Online          931 GB  1024 KB

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

You don't want to do any operations on more than one disk. In fact it's best to unplug any other disks if you have them.

You'd want to Sel Disk 0

then List Vol to see where the System partition is.

Then Sel Vol # on the System Reserved or EFI System using it's number

then Assign=Z to give it an easily recognizable drive letter.

Then go back to the Rebuild BCD commands to use it to export BCD:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ht/...
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

these are my volumes

DISKPART> list volume


  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info

  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------

  Volume 0     E                       DVD-ROM         0 B  No Media

  Volume 1         System Rese  NTFS   Partition    500 MB  Healthy    System

  Volume 2     C                NTFS   Partition    930 GB  Healthy    Boot

 

which one should i choose volume 1 or 2. and about the assign what the exact code is it "diskpart assign z"?

you need to tell me the exact codes to type so I know. 

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Sel Vol 1
Assign
List Vol (to see what letter was assigned to System Reserved)

Then continue with steps to Rebuild BCD. These are only sometimes successful. That's why I gave you a backup plan.
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

do I need to extend its memory by typing "extend size=" or 500 mb is enough?

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

No, 500mb is plenty. Most System Reserved are 100mb. Was it preinstalled at Factory? Have you done a Clean Install yet?
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

yes it was preinstalled when i bought it. Like I said clean install for me is not an option unless i'm force to do so. Ok will try what you said. 

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Then be aware that a repeatedly upgraded Factory install is not half as good as the best Clean Install. Most tech enthusiasts would not run such an install as they'd expect endless issues like you're having, including constantly choking on Windows 10's oppressive updates.

The reason I asked is because no one who has followed the illustrated steps in this link which compile the best possible Clean Install has ever come back (that I've seen) to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you permanently the master of your PC because you will know what works best and have applied it with your own hands.

I hope you'll bookmark the link and at least keep it in mind for later.
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

 
 

Question Info

Last updated April 17, 2025 Views 59,208 Applies to: