The NTLDR is missing error is typical for Windows computers. Inexperienced users who encounter this problem for the first time panic and see the only solution as completely formatting the disk. But few people know about the true reasons for this error. It can be corrected while preserving all important information on the device.
What does the NTLDR is missing error mean?
During the boot process, when a black screen appears and the message NTLDR is missing, the user is prompted to press the key combination CTRL+ALT+DELETE to restart the system. If this does not help and Windows does not boot, then you need to identify the cause of the error and eliminate it.
The operating system will not boot until the error is fixed
"NTLDR" stands for "New Technology Loader", that is, the operating system loader. The error that occurs indicates that the Ntldr and Ntdetect.com files, which are responsible for loading Windows, cannot be accessed.
The NTLDR is missing error can occur on any Windows operating system: from XP to 10.
Causes of the error and ways to solve the problem
Hardware failure
The most unpleasant thing is hardware failure. In this case, the hard drive or motherboard controller may be broken. The only solution is to replace the broken parts.
Physical failure of the hard drive Connecting an additional hard drive
The user connects a new hard drive with a large amount of memory, designed to store various files and, of course, not containing the operating system. In this case, the priority of the disks changes, and the new device takes first place, from where the computer tries to boot.
In this case, there will be one solution for all operating systems:
- We reboot the computer and launch the BIOS using DELETE keys(most often) or F2, or another, depending on the device. All actions here are carried out only using the keyboard; the mouse can be safely moved to the side.
- Go to the “Advanced” or “Boot” section and look for the “Hard Disk Boot Priority” item. In first place we put the old hard drive that contains operating system.
- Save the changes by pressing the F10 key (there will be a hint at the bottom or right) and restart the computer.
Priority selection hard drives in BIOS Conflict between two installed operating systems
When using multiple operating systems on the same computer, they may conflict with each other. In this case we will need boot disk with Windows. We insert it into the drive and wait for the system to boot.
For XP version
- When the message “ Windows installation» press the R key. The recovery console will appear.
- Click the number corresponding to the disk on which the installed operating system is located. Now the command line will work exclusively with this boot partition.
- To fix the conflict, you only need to enter two commands: first, fixboot, and then, fixmbr.
To fix the error, enter the commands fixboot and fixmbr Troubleshooting Windows XP (video)
For Windows 7, 8 and 10
Troubleshooting errors in Windows 7 (video)
Damage to system files
The Ntldr and Ntdetect.com system files can be damaged either by the user or by malware.
- In the first case, you need to use the command line and follow the instructions from the previous paragraph.
- In the second case, entering the fixmbr command may cause the virus to destroy the partition table. Therefore, it would be wise to use an antivirus before restoring. You can do this by connecting the drive to another computer or by booting from a special drive from the antivirus software manufacturer.
Any user of the Windows operating system can encounter the NTLDR is missing error. If the problem does not lie in the hardware, then the instructions in this article will help you recover your data. Good luck!
This article is about a small bug NTLDR is missing Windows operating system, which some users may encounter while working.
I must say that the error is quite annoying and not everyone knows how to fix it, as a result of which they reinstall the system. This is not very convenient and not entirely correct, because there are more humane and, partly, simple methods, which will be discussed in this article.
NTLDR is missing in Windows XP
And this error pops up instead of loading the OS (operating system) of the Windows family in the form of the inscription: NTLDR is missing. It is impossible to get into Windows after this. What does it mean? Most likely, the boot files on the system partition are erased or damaged and the OS cannot boot, because. doesn't know what, where or why.
When you see something like this, don’t panic, but calmly insert the disk with (You have it, right? :)), set to boot from CD-ROM and after booting from this disk, instead press the R button to open the recovery console. In this very console you will be asked to select the OS you want to restore (to do this you need to click, for example, 1 and Enter, as well as when answering the console question, you may need to press y and Enter) and type the commands FIXBOOT and FIXMBR (see pictures below).
All. Reboot, wait... it should work :)
If it doesn't work.
If the above commands did not help, then the same recovery console and the copy command will save us, i.e. the command for copying files. Using this command, you need to transfer 2 files from your disk - “NTLDR”, and “NTDETECT.COM”.
To do this, we will use the copy command. It works like this: “copy
copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
Where e:\ is the letter of your CD\DVD drive, and c:\ is the letter where the operating system is located where you, in fact, want to copy these files.
NTLDR is missing in Windows 7/8/10 (and bootloader recovery)
The solution is generally similar. You will need to get into recovery mode, for which, for example, you need to boot (also using boot from external media, as in the method above) with installation disk or flash drive and at the first stage of installation click on " System Restore":
In the command line that appears, we will need to enter two commands:
bootrec/fixmbr
bootrec/fixboot
Well, that’s all, actually.
Don’t forget to press Enter at the end of all this, restart the computer and, in fact, it will boot again from the disk, and not from external media.
It should help.
Afterword
Also, if you have any problems or don’t understand something, feel free to write in the comments - I’ll try to advise, although NTLDR is missing is not such a terrible problem, unless, of course, it’s broken HDD.
Almost everyone has encountered a similar error, but not every computer or laptop user can fix it. The most popular solution is formatting hard drive and installing a clean operating system. This method has two big disadvantages: loss of all accumulated data and loss of time. In this article we will look at simple, but at the same time effective methods.
While loading the OC you receive a warning:
NTLDR is missing
Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart.
Let's look at the main reasons for the error:
1. A large number of files in the root of the system disk - in Windows folder. Because of this, severe fragmentation of the MFT table of the root folder occurs. If the root folder's MFT contains a large number of files, it may become so fragmented that an additional allocation index must be created. Because the allocation indexes list files in alphabetical order, the NTLDR file may end up in the second allocation index. An error message will be displayed.
Basically, the data is not copied to the root folder. This problem will appear if any program constantly creates and deletes temporary files.
2. Conflict between bootloaders of different systems (Windows and Linux) installed on the same computer.
3. NTLDR Loader Ntldr and Ntdetect.com may be deleted or damaged for various reasons as a result of user actions or software errors.
4. The error message “NTLDR Is Missing” may appear after changing the active partition. For stable operation of the Windows boot loader, it is necessary that the system files it uses are located on the active partition.
5. I would like to note that the “NTLDR Is Missing” error can be not only software, but also hardware. This is a glitch work hard disk, and outdated BIOS version on motherboard(extremely rare, but it happens), connecting another disk with an existing OS to the computer.
6. And also other cases that are less popular.
Troubleshooting:
First decision. If you or a good neighbor has a computer with the same operating system, you can copy the Ntldr and Ntdetect.com files or use the Windows Recovery Console.
If you don’t have a computer, you can copy these files using programs: Windows LiveCD, Linux LiveCD, or other programs (for example, Acronis Disc Director, etc.) that can work without an operating system, booting from the BIOS and setting boot from CD -ROM.
Second solution: IN system file boot.ini file (Location: c:\boot.ini - is hidden by default, so you need to configure Windows to show such files.) check that the path to the operating system is correct. In order to fix this file, you can also boot using the programs that are written in the first solution.
The structure of the “Boot.ini” file with one operating system on disk should look like this:
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
Third solution. Each PC user must have a distribution kit with an operating system installed on his computer. The method below is rightfully considered the fastest and easiest.
Insert the disk with your operating system (in my case, Windows XP) into the drive, and do not forget to set priorities in the BIOS - CD-ROM. After booting from the disk, press the R key to open the recovery console.
Now we will restore. If one OS is installed on the computer, the following text will appear:
1: C:\WINDOWS
In which copy of Windows should I sign in?
Type 1, press Enter.
A message appears:
Enter the administrator password:
If your account a password has not been set, then simply press Enter.
- Now enter the fixmbr command and press the Enter button.
- A notification will pop up:
**WARNING**
This computer has a non-standard or invalid primary boot record. Using FIXMBR may damage your existing partition table. This will result in loss of access to all partitions of the current hard drive.
If there are no disk access problems, it is recommended that you abort the FIXMBR command.
Are you confirming the new MBR entry?
- Enter the letter Y (yes, yes) to confirm and press Enter.
- The message will appear again:
A new master boot record is created on the physical disk \Device\Harddisk0\Partition0.
The new master boot record has been successfully created.
- Afterwards the system prompt will appear: C:\WINDOWS>
- Type fixboot and press Enter.
- After this a message will appear:
End section: C:.
Do you want to write a new boot sector to the C: partition?
- Enter the letter Y (yes, yes) and press Enter.
- A message appears:
File system on boot partition: NTFS (or FAT32).
The FIXBOOT command writes a new boot sector.
The new boot sector was successfully written.
- The system prompt C:\WINDOWS> appears
Everything that needed to be done has been done, now you can exit the recovery console, to do this, enter the exit command and press Enter. After this, the computer will restart.
Don’t forget to disable booting from CD-ROM in the BIOS and setting booting from HDD (hard drive).
The fourth solution is for older computers. Let's sort it out system unit(this is not so scary, you just need a screwdriver) and replace the cable slot or connect a new cable.
This is what the hard drive cable looks like: 
If you have any questions about the article or have not solved your problem, then go to our computer forum and we will definitely help you.
Today there are quite a lot of cases where when loading the OS Windows any versions from NT to Windows 8, errors occur. A huge number of articles have been written about them. But the most unpleasant situation is the appearance of a message even before the OS starts loading, like “NTLDR is missing. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart." What are the reasons for its appearance and what to do, we will now try to decide.
What is NTLDR?
First, a few words about what the concept of “NTLDR” actually is. It is essentially an acronym derived from the acronym NT Loader. This is the main component of loading the operating system, containing three components responsible for launching it: the files ntdetect.com, boot.ini and, in fact, the ntldr file itself.
If, when the system starts, the boot loader determines that at least one of them is missing or damaged, the system, instead of starting normally, will display something like “NTLDR is missing...” on a black screen. What to do, let's figure it out.
Along the way, it is worth noting that the ntdetect.com file plays the role of a kind of startup type determiner, the ntldr file contains the boot code, and the boot.ini file with the commands contained in it itself tries to form the startup process and its main parameters based on two other components.
Why does the download error occur?
So, we have the error message “NTLDR is missing” on the monitor screen. What to do? First of all, don't panic. In fact, most often the hard drive is simply not detected. Of course, it may also happen that the hard drive “flies”. But we will proceed from the situation that it works normally and not go to such extremes.
As for the operation of the hard drive, you must immediately check the connection of the cable. You never know, maybe it just fell out of the connector or was not inserted tightly. This is often observed when the insides of a desktop computer (not a laptop) are cleaned of dust.
On the other hand, the reason may be that the hard drive is simply disabled in the BIOS as the first priority device for loading the operating system. It is clear that you just need to change the boot options in the menu Boot Device Priority or something similar (depending on the manufacturer and BIOS version).
Sometimes there may be a situation related to the accidental deletion of the above download components or their damage due to infection with viruses or malicious codes. The recovery option for such a case will be discussed a little later. Well, with viruses everything is clear - you need to scan the system for threats.
Less often, but still there are situations when root directory(C:\) there are an excessive number of files. This is where the specifics of the functioning of the file system NTFS. The fact is that if there are a large number of files in the root directory, it distributes them into arrays, each of which is assigned a specific index. The files themselves are organized strictly in alphabetical order. When loading, only the array with the first ordinal index is accessed, in which all three loading components may not be present.
In such a situation, it is better to use tools for safely cleaning computer junk in the form of optimizer programs, and in the parameters you need to specify not only the removal of residual, but also unused files or empty folders.
NTLDR is missing: how to fix the error in the simplest way?
Now directly about correcting the situation programmatically if the error occurs again and again. Let's consider as an option the absence of the necessary boot components in the root directory.
The problem is solved quite simply. On a working computer with the same version of the system, you just need to copy the files to a floppy disk or flash drive, and then transfer them to the desired terminal, having previously set the boot priority as a floppy disk or a removable USB device.
The system should boot without problems, after which you can copy the files to the root directory.
Using the Recovery Console
But let’s say the text “NTLDR is missing” is displayed on the screen again. What to do in this situation (if the first method did not help)? Of course, use it can be located either on the original installation disk with Windows, or on system disk disaster recovery, for example, for the “seven”.
It is clear that the disk drive in the BIOS is set as the priority boot device. After startup, you need to press the “R” key to directly call up the recovery console and select the required option (usually you need to press the “1” key) and confirm the selection (the “Enter” key). The recovery will begin automatically.
You can use bootloader recovery by going to command line where you will need to enter “C:Windows\fixmbr” or “C:\Windows\fixboot”. In principle, both methods work.
You can do it even simpler - simply copy the original files from the disk directly to the root directory. Let’s say the disk drive in the system is designated as the letter “E”. To copy you must enter the following lines:
Copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\;
Copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\.
After this, you can simply remove the disk from the drive and reboot the system.
NTLDR is missing: what to do (Win 7)
In Windows 7, if you look at it, by and large you can also perform the steps described above, but, as practice shows, there is a simpler option.
Let's say that when loading the "seven" something like "NTLDR is missing" appeared on the screen. What to do about this trouble? Use a utility specially developed for Windows 7 called Multiboot (by the way, it was specially developed for Windows Vista and 7).
Now it's a matter of small things. You need to boot from any disk like a LiveCD or something else in order to have access to executing the downloaded program file. After launching it, a menu will automatically be displayed with the item “Restore the Windows 7 boot loader on all disks” and click the “Run” button. That's all.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it remains to be said that if a system boot error occurs followed by a message like “NTLDR is missing,” restoring the system startup is not such a difficult matter. And in general, they say that fear has big eyes. So many users begin to panic, believing that the hard drive has simply crumbled. Not the best situation, but, as practice shows, this may not be the main reason.
However, in some cases, even if the hard drive breaks down, you can use unique utilities such as HDD Reanimator to remagnetize it and restore damaged sectors of the disk surface.
There are situations when, when booting the computer, instead of the usual Windows boot XP or Windows 7 user sees a black screen with an error NTLDR is missing Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart.
NTLDR is a boot file for versions of operating systems of the Windows family. For Windows startup XP or Windows 7 requires the presence of three files in the active partition of the hard drive: the NTLDR file containing the bootloader code, the boot.ini file containing commands for creating the system selection menu and parameters for starting it, and the ntdetect.com file.
If for some reason one of the files is missing or there is no access to them, the operating system does not boot and displays the error “NTLDR is missing, Windows cannot start due to hardware disk configuration errors.”
It is quite logical that in order to restore stable Windows operation XP or Windows 7 needs to restore the bootloader. We will tell you how to do this in our detailed instructions.
NTLDR is missing - Instructions for solving the problem.
To restore the bootloader, we need to first launch the recovery console. To do this we need to boot from the installation Windows disk XP and run the installation.
To do this, you need to set the BIOS to boot from CD-ROM, place the boot disk with the installation Windows package XP and reboot. When Windows Installer downloads its files to RAM computer, the Install Windows XP dialog box appears.
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