Windows virtual machine does not boot with "BOOTMGR is missing" error message

Windows virtual machine does not boot with "BOOTMGR is missing" error message

Cause

The most common reasons for BOOTMGR errors include corrupt and misconfigured files, hard drive and operating system upgrade issues, corrupt hard drive sectors,...
Another case is when the virtual machine is trying to boot from a hard drive or CD/DVD drive/image that is not properly configured to be booted from.



Resolution

1. Check the boot order for the virtual machine. Make sure the correct virtual hard disk is in the first place and is enabled.
2. Change the interface type for the virtual hard disk (IDE -> SATA or SATA -> IDE) and try to boot the virtual machine.
3. Boot the virtual machine from a Windows installation disk. Choose the Repair your computer option. Choose the Command prompt from the recovery options.
   Copy the bootmgr file from the installation disk to the system partition:
   • Using DISKPART tool find out the letters for all disks:
   • 
     
     
   • Change the directory to the installation media:
     cd E:
   • Copy bootmgr (use the correct letter from the output of diskpart):
     copy bootmrg C:\
   • Use bootrec.exe tool to complete the repair process:
   • bootrec.exe /fixmbr
   • bootrec.exe /fixboot
   • bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd

BOOTMGR is missing