Getting Bootrec /Fixboot Access Is Denied Error? Roundup Solutions

The Bootrec tool (bootrec.exe) is used in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to fix a failed, non-functional, or unresponsive operating system. What should you do if you receive an "Access is denied" error message when running the command `bootrec /fixboot`? How can you make this command work despite the access denial?

Here, we've gathered 3 practical solutions to fix the “bootrec /fixboot Access is denied” error:

1. #1. Recreate UEFI and reconfigure boot files
2. #2. Rebuild MBR (For Windows beginners)
3. #3. Fix Windows Boot Errors (For Windows beginners)
4. #4. Run Startup Repair

This article provides you with a genuine solution to fix the "bootrec /fixboot Access is denied" issue on Windows 10/8/7, along with other methods to repair Windows boot problems.

How to fix the "Access is denied for bootrec /fixboot" error?

Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I'll promptly translate it into Chinese for you.

Follow the steps in each one in order, and your computer should boot up normally. If you're new to Windows, try Methods 2 and 3 first to fix "bootrec /fixboot" errors on your computer.

#1. Recreate the UEFI and reconfigure the boot files

The most effective way to resolve the “Access is denied for bootrec /fixboot” error is to recreate the UEFI structure and reconfigure the boot files by following these steps:

Step one: First, turn off the computer. Then, immediately restart it as soon as you see the manufacturer's logo appear. Hold down the power button again to force a shutdown.

Repeat this process a few times, and it should automatically boot into the Startup Repair screen. We'll apply the fix from here.

Step 2: After your PC boots up, you should see the "Automatic Repair" screen. Click on the "Advanced options" button.

Step 3: In the Choose an option window, select Troubleshoot.

Step 4. Proceed to the Advanced options next.

Step 5: In the Advanced Options window, select Command Prompt.

Select an option, troubleshoot, and then open the Command Prompt.

Step 6. Type the following commands one at a time in the command prompt, pressing Enter after each:

(The EFI partition is usually 100 MB in size and formatted as FAT32. For example, if Disk 0 is the HDD with Windows and Volume 5 is the EFI partition, you would type select disk 0, list vol, and then choose vol 5.)

Step 7. Close the Command Prompt window, and then return to the Troubleshoot screen. Click Continue to boot Windows 10 normally without any errors.

Please feel free to share this page online to help more friends fix their computers with similar issues:

#2. Rebuild the MBR

According to Microsoft, Bootrec.exe has several useful commands that can help resolve Windows boot issues. In addition to `bootrec /fixboot`, the `bootrec /fixmbr` command is also widely used when there's a problem with the hardware Master Boot Record (MBR). If the MBR is corrupted, Windows won't be able to start.

For Windows beginners who are not familiar with the operating system, it is too complicated to enter the command bootrec /fixmbr without accessing OS. Fortunately, there is a tool called Partition Master Professional, which has the feature of Rebuild MBR. With just several mouse clicks, this tool can perfectly replace the command bootrec /fixmbr to fix the error.

Step 1: Create a bootable WinPE disk

2. Launch Partition Master, and click "Create Bootable Media" from the toolbar. Select "Create a bootable CD/DVD". 3. Click "Next" to finish the process.

Create a bootable disk

Step 2: Boot into Partition Master Live USB

Plug in the bootable USB or CD/DVD to your computer. Restart your computer and press F2 or Del to enter BIOS. Set it to boot from “Removable Device” or “CD-ROM Drive”. Partition Master will run automatically.

Step 3: Rebuild the MBR

Click on “Toolbox” and then select “Rebuild MBR”.

Rebuild MBR

Select the disk and MBR type, then click “Build”.

Then you'll see “MBR on Disk X successfully rebuilt.”

Once done, restart your problematic computer, and you should be able to boot into your operating system normally. If your PC starts up successfully, don't forget to share this method online to help more people around you facing similar issues:

#3. Repair Windows Boot Errors with a BCD File

If the Windows computer fails to execute the “bootrec /fixboot” command, you won't be able to load the operating system. Another option you can try is to rebuild the BCD file that's causing the Windows boot issue. A partition master tool with boot repair capability can effectively help you fix this error:

To do this, you'll need to create a bootable media on a healthy computer, and then use that to fix the BCD files on the computer that's having the problem. Here are the details:

Step 1: Create a Windows PE boot disk

1. Launch Partition Master, and then click "Bootable Media" from the toolbar. Choose "Create Bootable Media". 2. Click "Next" to finish the process.

Create a bootable disk

Step 2: Boot into Partition Master Live USB

Plug in the bootable USB or CD/DVD to your computer. Restart your computer and press F2 or Del to access the BIOS screen. Set it to boot from “Removable Device” or “CD-ROM Drive.” The partition tool will then run automatically.

Step 3: Repair the MBR

Click “Toolbox” and select “Rebuild MBR”.

Rebuild MBR

Select the disk and MBR type, then click “Rebuild”.

Rebuild MBR

You'll then see a message that the MBR for Disk X has been successfully rebuilt.

Rebuild MBR

#4. Run Startup Repair

One last troubleshooting technique you can try is to run Startup Repair using an Access Denied error. Here's how:

Step 1: First, create a Windows installation media using an empty 8 GB or larger USB flash drive.

Step 2: Restart your computer and set it to boot from USB.

Step 3: On the “Install now” screen, click on “Repair your computer”.

Step 4: Click Troubleshoot, and then click Advanced options.

Step 4: Choose the account you want to run the automatic repair on.

Wait patiently for this process to finish, then restart your computer and check if it can run programs and save and transfer data again.

Read Also: What is Bootrec /Fixboot?

`bootrec /fixboot` is a command run within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) using the Bootrec.exe tool. `bootrec /fixboot` writes a new boot sector compatible with the current Windows system to the system partition. For instance, if your system is Windows 7, `fixboot` will write a Windows 7-compatible boot sector, and so on. The `fixboot` command is typically used to address a range of startup errors and issues, such as:

• Corrupted boot sector
• Black screen on startup
• Boot device not found
• Blue Screen of Death
• Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart
• Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause.

In fact, all three of these instances point to a PC that won't boot. A common solution to fix such errors is to run the command “bootrec /fixboot.” However, running the bootrec /fixboot command can lead to a new set of problems, with an Access is denied error.

Why Do You Get the "Access Denied" Error with Bootrec /Fixboot?

Currently, you understand that the `bootrec /fixboot` command is utilized to repair a damaged Windows boot sector/Boot Record. Why would you encounter an "Access is denied" error when executing this command in Command Prompt?

According to discussions on the Microsoft Community, many victims who encountered the bootrec/fixboot Access is denied error used the Windows 10 1709 installation media. When they tried using the Windows 10 1703 installation media and ran the same command, they didn't get the error again.

Conclusions

On this page, we have gathered 4 effective methods for both Windows beginners and advanced users to fix the “bootrec /fixboot Access is denied” error. Among these methods, the Partition Master tool stands out with its MBR rebuilding and boot repair functions.

To save time, use this tool.

Meanwhile, we've also noticed the "Access is denied" error with the command "bootrec /fixboot" is more common in the Windows 1709 version. Hence, if you're looking for a permanent fix to this issue, we suggest updating your operating system to a newer build for better and more stable performance.