3 Top Ways | How to Recover Data from Corrupted MBR

How Can We Recover MBR if It Gets Corrupted?

A master boot record (MBR) is a special type of boot sector at the beginning of partitioned computer storage devices. It provides important information about the disk's partitions and the bootloader and is used to identify the location of an operating system.

If MBR is corrupted or damaged, it will prevent you from booting the Windows operating system and may result in the loss of all partitions on the system as well as data.

How can we recover MBR if it gets corrupted? With the knowledge provided in this detailed guide, you can recover data from corrupted MBR in 3 top ways. Let’s find out more!

Causes and Symptoms of MBR Corruption

Before recovering data from damaged MBR, let us first explore why MBR gets damaged and the common symptoms of MBR corruption.

Causes of MBR corruption

1️⃣ Accidentally deleted files related to Windows operating system

2️⃣ MBR suffers virus/malware infection

3️⃣ BIOS does not detect the hard drive where Windows operating system is installed

4️⃣ Hard drive or external HDD is physically damaged or contains bad sectors

5️⃣ Sudden power outage causes system crash

Symptoms of MBR Corruption

1️⃣ PC fails to boot from Windows operating system and displays some error messages:

• Operating System not found
• Error loading operating system
• Invalid partition table
• No boot disk has been detected
• Reboot and select proper boot device Or Insert Boot Media in Selected Boot Device

2️⃣ All volumes on the hard drive are not displayed properly

3️⃣ Hard drive/external drive not recognized in Windows

How to Recover Lost Data from Corrupted MBR (Faster)

Since you will not be able to boot Windows and start the computer normally after MBR corruption, the most reliable method is to use a reliable data recovery program - MyRecover. It can boot the Windows operating system by creating bootable media (CD/DVD or USB) and then recover data from corrupted MBR.

Section 1. Create a bootable disk

Step 1. Free Download and install MyRecover

Commence MyRecover in the workable PC. To create a bootable drive, click "Crashed PC Recovery" on the left side.

Step 2. Select a path to execute

Select an empty USB bootable drive or a CD/DVD bootable disk to create a boot drive based on your needs and click "Execute".

Step 3. Format the USB flash drive

When you create a bootable disk, it will erase all data saved in the USB drive. Please back up important data beforehand. Then click Yes.

Step 4. Create a bootable disk

The creation operation will run and you can check it. The process will take a few minutes.

Step 5. Complete the process

You will see the creation success message and be notified of the steps to boot from a bootable disk. Then, start recovering lost data from corrupted MBR.

After creating a bootable disk, it is very simple to restore files off damaged MBR.

▶ Insert the bootable medium to the PC that won't boot > press F12, F2, F10, F11, Del, or Esc to enter the BIOS > change the computer's boot sequence in BIOS > reboot the computer and choose the proper boot device (a bootable USB disk) > press F10 to save and exit.

MyRecover

Powerful MBR Data Recovery Tool

• Support to recover data for system crashes, accidental deletion, disk formatting, virus attacks, etc.
• Recover 200+ file formats: Recover deleted Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, PPTX, ODP, CSV, WPS files, etc.
• Quickly locate drive data: Filter file type, date, or size to find the files you need.
• Apart from MBR recovery, it can also recover formatted hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, etc.

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7& Windows Server

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Section 2. Recover lost data from corrupted MBR

Step 1. Run MyRecover

Launch MyRecover on your Windows to recover data from corrupted MBR. Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted files before, and click Scan.

Step 2. Scan for lost/ deleted data

It will immediately scan your drive for your lost data from the drive. You can use the Search Box or the Filter feature to quickly locate the data you want to get back.

Step 3. Choose lost data and click recover

Select your desired data and click Recover x files button.

Step 4. Select a new location

Then, choose a new location to save the recovered files and click Select Folder to confirm it.

2 Alternative Ways to Recover Data from Corrupted MBR

As we mentioned above, a corrupted or damaged MBR will cause disk boot failure issue. Apart from recovering data from corrupted MBR with the help of MyRecover, you can also follow 2 other ways to recover data.

Way 1. Use CMD to Repair Corrupted MBR and Recover Data

Repairing a corrupted Master Boot Record (MBR) using Command Prompt (CMD) can also help you repair partition table and get back your lost files. Use Bootrec/Fixboot to fix system startup failures and boot errors. To fix corrupted MBR and recover data, please follow these steps:

Step 1. Connect the Windows installation media you create (bootable USB drive or DVD/CD) to your computer, and enter Windows RE. Click Next.

Step 2. On the install Windows screen, Click Repair your computer.

Step 3. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Step 4. In the Command Prompt window, type bootrec/fixmbr > bootrec/fixboot > bootrec/rebuildbcd > restart. Then, restart the system and check whether it can boot or not.

Way 2. Contact Data Recovery Services

If the above methods do not work, in case of severe MBR corruption, it is recommended to use data recovery services like Geek Squad. Efficiently recover your data from a damaged external hard drive or other device with personalized, experienced guidance.

4 Hot Tips to Avoid MBR Corruption

A corrupted Master Boot Record (MBR) can be a major hassle, but taking preventative measures can help you avoid this problem. Follow these 4 popular tips to protect your MBR:

1️⃣ Backup regularly: Create frequent backups of your important files and your entire system. If the MBR becomes corrupted, you can quickly restore your system. You can create a file backup with this free Windows backup tool AOMEI Backupper Standard to keep your data safe. 

2️⃣ Use reliable anti-virus software: Viruses and malware can wreak havoc on your MBR. To prevent malicious attacks, use trustworthy antivirus software and keep it up-to-date.

3️⃣ Use Disk management: Be careful when partitioning or formatting disks. Mismanagement of these procedures can lead to MBR problems.

4️⃣ Updated operating system and drivers: Make sure your operating system and hardware drivers are up-to-date. This will help address security vulnerabilities and improve system stability, thus reducing the risk of MBR corruption.

FAQs

In the End

Hope the above 3 practical methods can help you recover data from corrupted MBR. Among these 3 methods, the most effective way is to use the data recovery software MyRecover.

It not only performs MBR recovery, but recover corrupted hard drives, SD cards, USB flash drives, etc.

If the hard drive contains vital files, data protection on the drive should be considered strongly. It’s never a bad idea to take file backups with the free Windows backup tool AOMEI Backupper Standard to protect your data safe. It can create file/folder/entire system backup and help you restore files from backup quickly.