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How to fix "NTLDR is missing" error in Windows 10?

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Deozaan:
I booted into Linux and backed up everything from the OS drive that I felt could be useful. Then I booted back into Windows recovery and attempted to "Reset this PC" but it said there was an error and it couldn't continue with that process.

So unless anyone else has any suggestions, I think I'm just going to wipe the drive and reinstall fresh.

Thankfully I do all in my power to keep my OS drive separate from any important user data. If only Microsoft would allow me to move my User directory off the OS drive, then I could keep things totally separated. . .

Shades:
If you are starting anew, that is the time to apply this trick of moving user folders to a separate partition or (network)drive:
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-move-default-user-folders-new-drive-windows-10
Problem with the above method is that you'll need to repeat it for every account on your PC.


https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1964-move-users-folder-location-windows-10-a.html
After applying this method you won't need to think again about repeating configuration steps. It will all happen automatically.


For myself, I always create a small-ish partition (25 to 50 GByte) just for storing temp files. I use a tool called: RapidEE (run as admin) to redirect temp folders from the system, but also users temp folders.
And when I'm a bit stretched for storage space, I often use the temp partition also for the swap file. This I configure with the same size for minimum and maximum, so it becomes one big block that isn't likely to fragment. Or at least slowing the fragmentation by a lot. Less important of a step if you only have SSD (or better) drives in your system.


 

x16wda:
The "bcd" is boot configuration data. It's what the boot loader uses to find the parts that it needs to start the boot process. That's what got backed up, the current boot config info. Seems like in your case, part of that is missing.

If you are willing to wipe and rebuild, you could try doing these two commands:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot

and then follow with the bootrec /scanos and bootrec /rebuildbcd. Since your system is actually running the boot code up to the point where it is looking for NTLDR, I am not sure if this will help, but it doesn't take long.

At any rate if you wipe and rebuild, at least you'll have a clean environment again.It's just a pain to reinstall stuff, although it gives you a chance to revisit the programs you use.

4wd:
Could also try Lazesoft Recovery Suite if you're at the point where you might reinstall anyway.

Home Edition is free but you'll need a working computer to install it on to create the WinPE bootable drive/disc.

And mirinsoft has a couple of nice apps to prepare for the next time. :P

Deozaan:
If you are willing to wipe and rebuild, you could try doing these two commands:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
-x16wda (December 23, 2019, 08:16 PM)
--- End quote ---

The first one said it completed successfully. The second one said access was denied even though it was an administrator command prompt.  :huh:

Could also try Lazesoft Recovery Suite if you're at the point where you might reinstall anyway.

Home Edition is free but you'll need a working computer to install it on to create the WinPE bootable drive/disc.
-4wd (December 24, 2019, 01:05 AM)
--- End quote ---

I'm in the process of making the WinPE USB drive. Thanks for the tip!

If you are starting anew, that is the time to apply this trick of moving user folders to a separate partition or (network)drive:
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-move-default-user-folders-new-drive-windows-10
Problem with the above method is that you'll need to repeat it for every account on your PC.
-Shades (December 23, 2019, 07:49 PM)
--- End quote ---

That one doesn't actually move the User directory. It just moves some of the default folders such as Music and Documents. But the big one is the AppData directory which everything just kind of stuffs full with all kinds of random, but often important, things. And I've not seen a way to move the AppData directory after installing Windows 10.


https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1964-move-users-folder-location-windows-10-a.html
After applying this method you won't need to think again about repeating configuration steps. It will all happen automatically.
-Shades (December 23, 2019, 07:49 PM)
--- End quote ---

This one, however, appears to actually move the Users directory, so it looks like it will indeed do what I would prefer to do with Windows 10. I'll give this a try if I end up installing fresh. Thanks!

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