When using Command Prompt to fix boot-related issues, it is common to face the “bootrec /fixboot Access denied” error. There are many possible reasons for this problem to occur on your computer. However, it usually relates to the concept of disk partitioning. The blue screen error “INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE” is likely to appear in two cases:
- The Windows system has failed.
- You forced a system shutdown while disk writing was still in process.
You can use the “bootrec /fixboot” command to repair similar issues. But, some users receive an error message denying access to bootrec /fixboot.
We use the bootrec /fixboot command in the Windows Recovery Environment’s Bootrec.exe tool. bootrec /fixboot operates a boot sector compatible with the current Windows system to write a new boot sector to the system partition.
This detailed guide will help you troubleshoot this error. However, one major thing that people often forget to consider is creating a backup. We will also recommend taking a backup of all your data before performing any action. There is no better tool than the MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable to keep a backup of the system disk. It is helpful in case the solutions end up causing more damage to the data on the hard drive.
Learn about three solutions for resolving this error.
4 Solutions to “Fixboot Access Denied” in Windows 10 / 11 PC
Solution 1: Leverage a GPT Drive
This solution is ideal for fixing bootrec /fixboot access denied errors in Windows 10.
However, you will need the GPT drive and Windows Installation Media for it to work. You can easily create the latter on a standard running computer. Take the assistance of the Windows Media Creation Tool, which you can download here.
After that, insert a USB device with a minimum of 8GB free space. Reboot your computer, and activate it. Then, follow the below steps:
Select the default settings for the time and currency format, the installation language, and the input method from the initial Windows screen. Finally, select the “Repair your computer” option at the bottom of the screen.
Select Troubleshoot, Advanced Options, and then Command Prompt from the drop-down menu.
Type ‘diskpart’ and press Enter.
Press Enter after typing the list disk. Now, look at the disk numbers and determine the boot disk. It is usually Disk 0. Alternatively, look out for the disk number and make sure you input it correctly in the following stages.
Choose Disk 0 in the search box and press Enter after typing the list volume. Remember the EFI partition’s volume number now. Press Enter after typing ‘pick volume N’ or whichever is applicable in your situation.
Press Enter after typing ‘Assign letter=N:’. You can substitute any drive letter not used by a partition for N:.
Type exit. Now press Enter and type ‘N:’. Hit Enter after typing format N: /FS:FAT32. Press Enter after typing bcdboot C:windows /s N: /f UEFI.
The Bootrec access denied error is thus resolved. However, if it persists, follow the next solution.
Solution 2: Perform Startup Repair on an MBR disk
MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable will help you do this task. It is included in every premium edition of MiniTool Partition Wizard. Users may manage partitions without an operating system, rebuild MBR when an operating system is not detected, recover an inadvertently deleted system reserved partition, and extend system partition without producing issues using MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable.
It is also an inbuilt tool available within the MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro program. Once you get access to its main interface, follow the steps below:
In the Action window, first, choose the 500MB system reserved partition. Then select Format Partition and click YES.
Click on NTFS as the file system and click Apply on the toolbar.
Repair Windows 10 by automatic Startup Repair utility:
Boot the system via the Windows installation media.
Instead of installing immediately, click on “Repair your computer”.
Select Troubleshoot → Advanced Options.
Select from the menu: Startup Repair.
Solution 3: Run CHKDSK
You can either fix the Windows Bootrec Fixboot Access Denied problem via the Windows installation disk or through the bootable media created on Windows 10 by using MiniTool Partition Wizard.
A. Using Windows Installation Disk
- Skip the language selection screen after booting the computer and select repair computer.
- Select Troubleshoot → Command Prompt → Type chkdsk c: /r → Enter.
- Finish the process with rebooting.
B. Using MiniTool Partition Wizard
- Select the Partition Wizard after booting your PC from MiniTool bootable media.
- In the menu, select Command Console after exiting MiniTool Partition Wizard.
- Type chkdsk c: /r and hit Enter.
- Once the process completes, exit.
Final Fix: Reinstall Windows
Supposedly, you have tried all the recommended solutions. But you cannot fix the Windows bootrec /fixboot Access Denied issue. In that case, the only remedy is to save all data and reinstall Windows. However, to get access to all important files use MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro via either of its two features.
- Copy Disk:
Using the Bootable Media option in MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro, make MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable on your computer. You can take the help of MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable to boot your PC.
Then, attach an external hard drive to which you can overwrite all of your data. In MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable, choose Copy Disk from the menu by right-clicking on the system disk.
- Data Recovery:
Use MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro Ultimate to make a bootable disk. Then use it to boot your PC.
- From the toolbar, choose Data Recovery.
- To do a complete scan, double-click the genuine system partition.
- After Data Recovery completes its scan, select the files you wish to save and click Save to save them to a non-system disk.
Q1. Getting the error “Bootrec Fixboot access is denied.” How do I fix it?
You have two choices to proceed with fixing such an error. Get a new ISO or correct the UEFI boot before running Startup Repair, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 support this.
Q2. What does “bootrec /fixboot Access is Denied” mean?
The bootrec /fixboot Access denied error is common when using Command Prompt to fix boot-related issues. It has something to do with the Boot Manager. There are other reasons; however, it is usually caused by the concept of disk partitioning.
Q3. How do I fix “Bootrec Fixboot access is denied” in Windows 7?
The solutions for ‘Windows 10 bootrec.exe /fixboot access is denied’ apply to Windows 7 bootrec fixboot access is denied.
Q4. How do I fix Bootrec boot?
Hit Enter after typing BOOTREC /FIXMBR. This command will attempt to repair any errors with the master boot record that may have occurred. If it works well, you will get the message – operation completed successfully. Next, type bootrec /fixboot, and press Enter.
Conclusion
MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable is an expert and power-packed Windows software. It allows users to create automatic system/disk/partition/file backups. The tool enables users to set up a backup scheme for managing multiple backup files.
This tool proves to be a boon while fixing the Windows 10 Bootrec Fixboot Access Denied error.
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