Bootrec /Fixboot Access is Denied: 3 Quick Ways to Fix it

3 min. read

Updated on October 4, 2023

updated on October 4, 2023

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Key notes

Bootrec /Fixboot is a feature that allows you to fix serious issues in Windows that can sometimes result in Bluescreens of Death.
Before starting anything, you should create a backup of your data just in case. If you are looking for a tool that will make that process much easier, check out this detailed guide.
If you experience any other Boot error, visit our Troubleshooting Boot errors hub to find your solution for that issue.
This guide is just one of our complete guides from our Windows 10 errors hub. We recommend bookmarking this section just in case you might need to fix other issues later on.

Bootrec /Fixboot is a feature that allows you to fix serious issues in Windows that can sometimes result in Bluescreens of Death.

However, this feature can have its own set of issues, such as one where you are not allowed to access it.
If you are getting an error message stating that Bootrec /Fixboot access is denied, then all you need to do is carry on reading this step-by-step article we have written just for you.

Note: Before attempting any of the steps mentioned below, you should create a backup of your data just in case.

If you are looking for a tool that will make that process much more easier, check out this detailed guide.

How do I fix the Bootrec /Fixboot access issue?

1. Bootrec /Fixboot access is denied on GPT Drive

Note: These steps only work on GPT drives.

1.1 Create a bootable USB drive using the Windows Media Creation Tool

Download the Windows Media Creation Tool
Insert a USB Flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space on your PC
Run the Windows Media Creation Tool
Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC
Click Next
Select Use the recommended options for this PC
Select USB flash drive
Click Next
Select your flash drive
Click Next
Follow the on-screen instruction until the process is complete

1.2 Use the USB drive to format the system partition

Reboot the PC and use the USB drive to boot from it
Launch the PC, and when the Windows screen appears, select Repair your computer
Select Troubleshoot
Choose Advanced Options
Select Command Prompt
Select diskpart and press Enter
Type in list disk, and press Enter
Find the boot disk, and then type in select disk 0
- This varies whether or not your boot disk is labeled disk 0
Type list volume and press Enter
Pay attention to the volume number of the EFI partition
Type select volume N and press Enter
- This depends on your volume number
Type assign letter=N: and press Enter
- N can be replaced with any drive letter your prefer
- Remember the letter you’ve chosen for later steps
Type Exit and press Enter
- This will make you leave diskpart
Type N:
- This depends on the drive letter you chose
Type format N: /FS:FAT32 and press Enter
Type bcdboot C:windows /s N: /f UEFI and press Enter

2. Run CHKDSK

Reboot the PC and use the USB drive to boot from it
Launch the PC, and when the Windows screen appears, select Repair your computer
Select Troubleshoot
Choose Advanced Options
Select Command Prompt
Type chkdsk c: /r and press Enter
- This applies only if your Windows is installed on the C drive
Allow the process to reboot

3. Reinstall Windows

If none of the steps listed above work, then your ultimate solution is to simply reinstall Windows from scratch.

By following these steps, you will be able to solve any issues you may have with Bootrec /Fixboot, including the one where it says that it is missing.

If you know any other ways of fixing the missing Bootrec /Fixboot issue, leave us a message in the comment section below.