How to fix "NTLDR is missing" error.

In this article I will show you an easy way to fix the following error at Windows startup: “NTLDR is missing. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart”. If you face the NTLDR (NT loader) error, then probably your primary hard disk’s boot loader is damaged. The boot loader can be damaged due to a BIOS misconfiguration or if one of the following Windows boot files are missing or are corrupted:

1. Ntldr
2. Ntdetect.com
3. Boot.ini

To resolve this issue, first verify that your BIOS configuration is correct and your hard disk’s cable is undamaged. Then continue to resolve the “NTLDR is missing” error by following the methods below:

Method 1: Using the Hiren’s BootCD

Method 2: Using the recovery console

How to solve “NTLDR is missing” error

Method 1: Use the “Hiren’s BootCD.

Step 1. Download Hiren’s BootCD

1. From another computer download  the “Hiren’s BootCD” .

( Hiren’s BootCD Download page: http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/ )

Scroll the page down and click on “Hirens.BootCD.15.2.zip” )

2. When the download is completed, right-click on “Hirens.BootCD.15.2.zip” file and extract it.

Step 2: Burn Hirens BootCD into an optical disk.

1. In “Hirens.BootCD.15.2” folder, find the “Hiren's.BootCD.15.2.ISO” disc Image file and burn it to a CD.

Step 3: Boot the problematic computer with Hirens.BootCD.

1. Take the CD out from your recorder and insert it on the problematic‘s computer CDROM drive.*

Notice*: First make sure that CDROM Drive is selected as first boot device in your BIOS.

2. Restart your computer.

3. When the "Hiren’s BootCD” menu appears on your screen, use your keyboard arrows keys to move to the “Fix ‘NTLDR is Missing’” option and then press "ENTER".

4. Select the “1ST TRY THIS seleccione esto primero” option and hit “Enter”.

5. Now take out the CDROM out from the CD DRIVE and reboot your computer. If ”NTLDR is missing” error appears again, then repeat this step, but this time select one of the rest options each time (2ND, 3RD, 4TH, etc.).

Method 2: Use the “Recovery” Console.

Notice*: First make sure that CDROM Drive is selected as first boot device in your BIOS.

1. Put your Windows installation CD on the CD/DVD drive.*

Note for Windows XP users only: If you do not have the Windows installation CD, then read at end of this article.

2. When Windows setup starts, press the “R” key on your keyboard to start the “Recovery Console”.

3. At “Which Windows installation would you like to log onto”, press “1” & press “Enter”.

4. Now type “map” and hit “Enter” in order to find your CDROM’s device drive letter. (e.g. “E:\” ).

5. Now copy the “ntldr” & “ntdetect.com” files from the Windows installation CDROM (e.g. “E:\”) to your disk C:\. To do that, type the following two (2) commands (press “Enter” after typing each one of them).

1. copy  e:\i386\ntldr c:\
2. copy  e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

Note: Type “y” (YES)  to overwrite the files at the destination when asked.

6. Type “Exit” & press “Enter”.

7. Take out the Windows installation CDROM from the CD DRIVE and reboot your computer.

Additional help for Windows XP users only:

For Windows XP users (only) that don't have the Windows installation CD:

1. Download the “NTLDRXP.zip” zip file and extract its contents onto a USB stick*.

Note*: The "NTLDRXP.zip" file, contains the "Ntldr", "Ntdetect.com" & "Boot.ini" files from a working XP computer.

2. Boot your computer with Hiren’s BootCD (Step 3) and select the “Mini Windows Xp” option.

3. When “Mini Windows XP” is loaded, plug the USB stick and open Windows explorer.

4. Copy the three (3) files (Ntldr, Ntdetect.com & Boot.ini) from the USB stick to your system disk C:\ (Root) folder (Ask “Yes” to overwrite destination files).

5. After performing the copy operation, take out the CDROM and the USB stick and reboot your computer.

Now, your computer should boot normally in Windows.

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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