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Windows Boot Record - MBR Fix versus GPT Fix - Printable Version

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Windows Boot Record - MBR Fix versus GPT Fix - cfdevlin01 - 02-06-2015

I know if you have a non-bootable computer, one of the first issues to try and resolve is to fix the MBR.  This can be done via the Command Line from a Recovery Disc and also there are various utilities that have an option to fix/rewrite the MBR. My question is: what is the corresponding process / commands used to fix the GPT.  Via research I have discovered that the boot structure will be a GPT if the operating system is Windows 8 or 8.1 that is UEFI / secure boot enabled. I am guessing that most newer computers fit this category.   I have found a process / commands which I believe can be used to fix the boot structure which is a GPT - However I am not sure and would like to put this to the forum for verification and or modification, and or define a completely different scenario.  Also if I am completely wrong please let me know.

The process of commands for GPT Boot Record (?) are:


  1. bcdedit /export c:\bcdbackup
  2. Type: C:    -   where C: is your Windows drive
  3. Type: CD boot
  4. Type: attrib bcd -s -h -r  (another form for these two commands would be)
  5. attrib c:\boot\bcd -h -r -s
  6. Type: ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
  7. Type: bootrec /rebuildbcd (this scans for installations on drive and allows you to select which to add to BCD)
  8. If you see to add one or more detected (1) windows installation after the rebuildbcd command, press "A" and then "Enter" - This means the BCD has been fixed successfully and you can now reboot.
  9. If the results are 0, then it has not been fixed, and you need to enter the following commands to try again:
  10. Type: attrib c:\boot\BCD -h -r -s
  11. Type: ren c:\boot\bcde bcd.old - rename again
  12. Type: bootrec/rebuildbcd - retries the rebuild
If this doesn't work, I do not know what else.


RE: Windows Boot Record - MBR Fix versus GPT Fix - GuiltySpark - 02-06-2015

Quote:bcdedit /export c:\bcdbackup

May in some cases have to be written as bcdedit /export c:\bcd_backup

Also FWIW, "attrib bcd -s -h -r" simply removes -s = System, -h = Hidden, -r = Read Only attributes.

Is a good list though, may even require a sticky.


RE: Windows Boot Record - MBR Fix versus GPT Fix - Britec - 02-07-2015

I will right a full article on it. but I will sticky for now.