How to Resolve "Active Partition Not Found" Error in Windows [Comprehensive Guide]

Are you encountering the "Active Partition Not Found" issue in Windows when you attempt to open the Disk Management tool? If so, stay tuned as we provide guidance on effectively resolving this problem.

An active partition refers to a partition present on the boot drive in Windows. This partition typically contains information that aids the BIOS or UEFI in locating where Windows is installed and how to initiate the boot process. Each Windows installation can only designate one partition as active for successful booting. The "active partition not found" error can occur if there are corrupted or missing system files in your Windows installation. In such instances, you'll need to perform a Startup Repair to rectify these system files.

The guide will encompass all those reasons in detail and provide you with the solutions.

Why?

How to Resolve the "Active Partition Not Found" Error

Regardless of the computer system or version of Windows you are currently using, we are dedicated to providing solutions that will efficiently work across all platforms without any hassle.

• Fix 1. Set System Partition Active
• Fix 2. Rebuild MBR
• Fix 3. Force Detect IDE
• Fix 4. Reset BIOS Settings
• Fix 5. Repair System Files

All the remedies mentioned above are effective and ensure users have seamless and uninterrupted access to their devices with ease.

Fix 1: Set the System Partition as Active

Setting the system partition active is now a manageable task. When it comes to dealing with system partitions, the primary tool that comes to mind is the Partition Master Tool. This disk management software provides the Set Active function, enabling users to swiftly alter the active partition.

It is an all-in-one free partition manager tool designed to efficiently meet the needs of individual users, and it is also user-friendly.

Step 1. Run the partition manager software. On the disk map, right-click the target partition and choose "Advanced".

Step 2. Next, select "Set Active" from the dropdown menu. Click "Yes". Then choose "Execute 1 Task(s)" and click "Apply".

Fix 2: Rebuild Master Boot Record (MBR)

The Master Boot Record (MBR) is a vital part of the boot process, allowing the BIOS or UEFI to find and start the Windows setup. If the MBR gets corrupted, the PC or UEFI won't be able to continue. Thankfully, there's a tool called Partition Master that offers a utility to rebuild MBR without risking your data. With the Rebuild MBR function, you just select the drive, set the OS type, and go ahead with the reconstruction.

Step 1. Create a WinPE bootable disk

1. Launch tools Partition Master and click "Bootable Media" from the toolbar. Then select "Create bootable media." 2. Click "Next" to complete the process.

Step 2. Boot the Partition Master Bootable USB

Connect the bootable USB or CD/DVD to your PC. Press F2 or Del when you restart the computer to enter the BIOS screen. Set and boot your computer from "Removable Devices" or "CD-ROM Drive". Then, the Partition Master tool will run automatically.

Step 3. Rebuild MBR

Click "Toolkit" and select "Rebuild MBR".

Select the disk and the type of MBR, then click "Rebuild".

After that, you can see the message "MBR has been successfully rebuilt on Disk X".

If you encounter other partition errors or disk issues, tools like Partition Master can save you time and effort to complete such tasks. For instance, it can identify bad sectors and repair the corrupted file system by performing a disk surface test.

Fix 3: Force IDE Detection

The IDE interface is an industry-standard adapter that facilitates communication between IDE devices and the BIOS or UEFI. It was prevalent in the industry a few years back. An IDE HDD refers to a storage device connected to the BIOS using an IDE cable. If your computer detects all components except the IDE HDD containing the active partition, you'll encounter the "Active Partition Not Found" error. Here are steps to resolve this issue:

Step 1. Restart the computer and press F2, F8, or F10 to enter the BIOS.

Step 2. Next, go to the Advanced tab option and change the status of the following four IDEs to Auto from the Not Detected options.

• Primary IDE Master
• Primary IDE Slave
• Secondary IDE Master
• Secondary IDE Slave

Share these solutions to help more users learn how to fix the Windows Active Partition Not Found error.

Fix 4. Reset BIOS Settings

Resetting the BIOS settings returns them to the last saved configuration. This procedure is useful for reversing any changes you've made to your system. Simply follow these steps:

Step 1. Restart your computer system and successfully enter the BIOS.

Step 2. Locate the option "Load Optional Defaults" under the Exit option to proceed further with the process.

Step 3. After completing the above process, press the F10 key. This will typically save and exit the BIOS settings.

Fix 5: Repair System Files

If you've tried the above solutions but haven't found a definitive fix for your problem, you can proceed with repairing the system files thoroughly. Repairing system files ensures the smooth operation of Windows. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1. Install the Windows 10 installation disc on your device, and then boot your computer system from it.

Step 2. Choose the correct time and keyboard type on your device, then tap the Next button.

Step 3. After completing the above process, select "Repair your computer" to proceed further.

Step 4. Proceed to the Troubleshoot option, and then tap on Advanced options.

Step 5. Once finished, tap the Startup Repair option to proceed with the process.

Wait for the repair process to finish, and once it's done, you'll be able to access your Windows seamlessly.

Why Does the "Active Partition Not Found" Error Occur?

"Active Partition Not Found" is one of the most frustrating error issues in Windows that blocks access to the operating system. If you're keen on understanding the primary causes behind this error, we've listed the top reasons for you.

1. Inactive Partitions

The partition containing the operating system must be active for a computer system to boot up smoothly. The presence of inactive partitions in the boot files can result in the frustrating error message "Active Partition Not Found."

2. Damaged MBR Disk

A damaged MBR (Master Boot Record) disk can also result in one of the most frustrating error messages: "Active Partition Not Found." The MBR is a specific type of boot sector located at the beginning of the disk.

3. BIOS does not detect the system disk

If your system disk fails to be recognized by the BIOS, it might result in the frustrating error message, "Active Partition Not Found."

4. Incorrect BIOS Settings

Improper BIOS settings can also lead to the most frustrating error issues. It can cause various types of problems in your Windows, and to resolve them perfectly, one needs to reset the BIOS to its default settings.

5. Corrupted system files

Corrupted system files can also cause the "Active Partition Not Found" issue. It's crucial to verify the integrity of your Windows system files to ensure they can initiate the boot process correctly. System files may become corrupted due to unexpected system shutdowns, malware affecting system files, and other similar reasons.

Now that you're aware of the possible reasons behind it, you can promptly and ideally seek out relevant solutions.

Conclusion

I hope you have resolved the issue with the missing active partition by now. This is one of the most frustrating problems encountered by Windows users, preventing them from accessing the operating system. We've provided you with various methods to effectively address this issue.

However, if you find it challenging to navigate the complex procedures, Partition Master is an excellent choice to simplify the process. It is a feature-rich option that streamlines your experience with Windows and makes things easier for you. The platform is straightforward and easy to download and install, requiring only a few clicks to efficiently activate various functions.

Frequently Asked Questions About "Active Partition Not Found" Error

If you have thoroughly gone through the various detailed processes and still have some questions remaining, here are the top Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that will clarify things for you.

1. How do I activate a partition in BIOS?

Activating partitions in BIOS is a straightforward process. Simply follow these steps:

Step 1. Open the Command Prompt on your device

Step 2. Enter the following commands, then tap the Enter button:

1. diskpart
2. list disk
3. select disk 0
4. list partition
5. select partition 1
6. active

2. Why is the partition not active? This partition is not active because it has not been designated as the bootable or primary partition in the system. In order for a partition to be active, it needs to have an operating system installed on it and be set as the active partition in the boot configuration. This is typically done during the installation process of an operating system or through disk management utilities. If you're facing issues with an inactive partition, you might need to use tools like the Disk Management utility in Windows or terminal commands in macOS and Linux to activate it.

Suppose the partition on your Windows system is not activated. In that scenario, it's likely that your Windows does not possess a primary partition or you inadvertently set another segment as active. To address this issue, ensure that the option to "Mark Partition as Active" is not grayed out.

3. What does an active partition mean?

The active partition is the one that enables the computer to boot up. It is generally recommended to maintain the system partition or volume partition as a primary partition and set it as active to ensure smooth startup procedures.