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Get the fix for the error <strong>winload.efi is missing or corrupt</strong> on <strong>Windows 7</strong><strong>,</strong><strong> Windows 8 </strong>or<strong> Windows 8.1</strong>.
<h2>About "<strong>winload.efi is missing or corrupt</strong>"</h2>
[kbintro]
<h3><span id="Description_and_Symptoms">Description and Symptoms</span></h3>
The error messages, alerts, warnings, and symptoms below are tied to this error.
<h3>Symptom 1: "<strong>winload.efi is missing or corrupt</strong>" error screen on startup</h3>
<p class="info">If the error screen mentions <strong>winload.exe and not winload.efi</strong>, go to <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/winload-exe-missing-corrupt/">Fix: winload.exe is missing or corrupt</a>.</p>
Other common winload.efi related error messages can be any of the following, depending on your Windows versions:
<ul>
 	<li>winload.efi cannot be found</li>
 	<li>winload.efi is missing</li>
 	<li>winload.efi is missing or contains errors</li>
 	<li>This program can't start because winload.efi is missing from your computer</li>
 	<li>There was a problem starting [path]\winload.efi. The specified module could not be found."</li>
 	<li>This application requires the file winload.efi, which was not found on this system</li>
</ul>
The error code can be different from computer to computer, but the File: row mentions the winload.efi file at the \windows\system32\ folder:
<pre>\windows\system32\winload.efi</pre>
The winload.efi error can have different error codes, such as <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/0xc0000225/">Error code: 0xc0000225</a> or <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/0xc0000001/">Error code: 0xc0000001</a> or any other, but File always mentions the file as being winload.efi

Here's how the winload.efi error with the 0xc0000225 code looks on Windows 8/8.1 systems:

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3046" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/winload-efi-0xc0000225-windows-8.jpg" alt="winload.efi error with the 0xc0000225 code" width="980" height="600" />
<pre>Recovery

Your PC needs to be repaired.

The application or operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors.

File: \windows\system32\winload.efi

Error code: 0xc0000225

You'll need to use the recovery tools on your installation media. If you don't have any installation media (like a disc or USB device), contact your system administrator or PC manufacturer.

Press Enter to try again
Press F8 for Startup Settings
Press ESC for UEFI Firmware Settings</pre>
On a Windows 7 computer the error screen looks like this:

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3047" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/winload-efi-0xc000000f-windows-7.jpg" alt="winload.efi with 0xc000000f code" width="1017" height="761" />
<pre>Windows Boot Manager

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."
3. Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance

File: \windows\system32\boot\winload.efi

Status: 0xc000000f

Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application
      is missing or corrupt</pre>
<h2>Causes of this Error</h2>
This error has been known to occur as a result of one of the following causes:
<h3>Cause 1: The winload.efi file is corrupt or missing</h3>
Failed Windows Updates or Automatic Updates to Windows that involve an upgrade of critical system files (especially service pack installations) that update winload.efi may result in this error. Alternatively, this may happen because of hardware failure.
<h3>Cause 2: File system integrity compromised</h3>
The hard drive's file system may become damaged because of disk write errors, power outages or virus attacks. If that's the case, the operating system cannot find winload.efi to boot properly and the loading process is halted.
<h2>Fix winload.efi error with Easy Recovery Essentials</h2>
[easyre error="winload.efi error" bootscreen="7-8" guaranteed="true"]
<h2>Fix winload.efi missing or corrupt in Windows 7</h2>
[setupcd]
<h3>Fix #1: Rebuild the BCD</h3>
You can try to rebuild the BCD if the winload.efi error appears because of a corrupt BCD file:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the installation disc</li>
 	<li>Restart your computer and boot from the disc</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/10/Install-Now-Windows-7.jpg" alt="Windows 7 Install Now screen" /></li>
 	<li>At the System Recovery Options screen, select <strong>Command Prompt</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/windows-7-system-recovery-options-screen.jpg" alt="System Recovery Options in Windows 7" /></li>
 	<li>Run the following commands:
<pre>bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /rebuildbcd</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each and wait for the commands to finish</li>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4676" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/bootrec4.png"><img class="wp-image-4676 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/bootrec4-1024x768.png" alt="bootrec utility results screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> bootrec utility results screen[/caption]

If the above bootrec commands didn't worked, try running the same commands 3 more times before proceeding to <a href="#Fix_2_Run_chkdsk_and_sfc">Fix #2 below</a>.

If you don't have the installation disc, you can check if your system has the system recovery tools installed on the hard disk to access Command Prompt. To do so, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>F8</kbd> as soon as your computer boots. Make sure you don't have any media in your drives (CDs, DVDs etc)</li>
 	<li>At the <em>Advanced Boot Options</em> screen, select <strong>Repair your computer</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/09/Advanced-Boot-Options.jpg" alt="Repair Your Computer Option" /></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Your computer should now boot into the System Recovery Options screen<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/windows-7-system-recovery-options-screen.jpg" alt="System Recovery Options in Windows 7" /></li>
</ol>
<h3>Fix #2: Run chkdsk and sfc</h3>
To run the chkdsk or sfc commands, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the installation DVD</li>
 	<li>Restart the computer</li>
 	<li>Boot from the DVD by pressing any key whenever the "Press any key" message appears</li>
 	<li>At the <em>Install Windows</em> screen, click <strong>Repair your computer</strong> or press <kbd>R</kbd></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>Enter the chkdsk command:
<pre>chkdsk c: /r</pre>
Replace <code>c:</code> with the letter of the drive where Windows 7 is installed</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4678" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/chkdsk2.png"><img class="wp-image-4678 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/chkdsk2-1024x768.png" alt="chkdsk utility results screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> chkdsk utility results screen[/caption]

If the chkdsk utility doesn't fix the winload.efi error, try running the sfc utility instead:
<ol>
 	<li>At Command Prompt, type the sfc command:
<pre>sfc /scannow /offboot=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4679" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/sfc_win81.png"><img class="wp-image-4679 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/sfc_win81-1024x768.png" alt="sfc utility results screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> sfc utility results screen[/caption]
<h3>Fix #3: Disable secure boot</h3>
If you happen to have Windows 7 installed on a computer with UEFI and not BIOS, you can try to disable the Secure Boot option found in the UEFI boot options menu. This might fix the winload.efi error:
<p class="info">For more information on how to disable Secure Boot, follow the <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/disabling-secure-boot/">Disabling Secure Boot Guide</a>.</p>

<ol>
 	<li>Boot into UEFI as soon as you boot the computer.Depending on your computer manufacturer, the key to boot into UEF menu can be <kbd>F2</kbd> or <kbd>F8</kbd> or <kbd>F12</kbd> or <kbd>Del</kbd> or <kbd>Esc</kbd>.If none of the above keys work for your system, boot your computer and find the key you need to press listed on the first screen that appears on your monitor.</li>
 	<li>Depending on your computer manufacturer, the UEFI boot menu can look different. Look for a <strong>Secure Boot</strong> option. This is usually found in a Boot or a Security or a Authentication tab listed in the menu.</li>
 	<li>Once you've found the <strong>Secure Boot</strong> option, make sure it's <strong>Disabled</strong> or <strong>Off</strong>.</li>
 	<li>Save the changes and exit the UEFI menu</li>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
</ol>
<h2>Fix winload.efi missing or corrupt in Windows 8</h2>
<h3>Fix #1: Disable Secure Boot</h3>
In most cases the winload.efi missing or corrupt error can disappear if the <strong>Secure Boot</strong> option is <strong>Disabled</strong> or <strong>Off</strong> in the UEFI boot menu.
<p class="info">For more information on how to disable Secure Boot, follow the <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/disabling-secure-boot/">Disabling Secure Boot Guide</a>.</p>

<ol>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
 	<li>Press the necessary key to boot into your system's UEFI menu. Depending on your computer manufacturer (HP, Acer, Asus etc.), the key can be <kbd>F2</kbd>, <kbd>F8</kbd>, <kbd>Esc</kbd> or <kbd>Del</kbd>.<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/09/Dell-POST.jpg" alt="Dell POST Screen" />On this Dell computer, the <kbd>F2</kbd> key would open the UEFI menu. This screen is listed right after the computer boots.</li>
 	<li>Search for the <strong>Secure Boot</strong> option. This option is usually placed in any of the following tabs: <strong>Security</strong>, <strong>Authentication</strong> or <strong>Boot</strong>.On HP computers Secure Boot is listed at the Security tab:<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/HP-Secure-Boot.jpg" alt="HP BIOS Security Tab" />On Acer computers it's listed at the Authentication tab:<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/Acer-Secure-Boot.jpg" alt="Acer BIOS Authentication Tab" /></li>
 	<li>Select the <strong>Secure Boot</strong> option and make sure it's <strong>Disabled</strong> or <strong>Off</strong></li>
 	<li>Save the changes</li>
 	<li>Restart the computer</li>
</ol>
<h3>Fix #2: Run Automatic Repair</h3>
Follow these steps to run Automatic Repair:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the Windows 8 media: the DVD or the USB</li>
 	<li>Restart the computer and boot from the media</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong> or press <kbd>R</kbd><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-8-repair-your-computer-screen.png" alt="Windows 8 Install Now Screen" /></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Troubleshoot</strong></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Advanced options</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Automatic repair</strong></li>
 	<li>Follow the remaining steps to complete the process</li>
</ol>
If you don't have the original Windows 8/8.1 media to access Automatic Repair, you can try to restart the computer multiple times:
<ol>
 	<li>Hold the Power button to shutdown your computer</li>
 	<li>Press the Power button to start your computer</li>
 	<li>As soon as your computer stats to boot, press the Power button to shutdown your computer</li>
 	<li>Perform these steps a few times until Windows 8 shows the Recovery screen:<a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/windows-8-didnt-load-correctly.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-3049 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/windows-8-didnt-load-correctly.jpg" alt="Windows 8 Didnt Load Correctly Screen" width="980" height="380" /></a></li>
</ol>
<h3>Fix #3: Disable early launch anti-malware protection</h3>
If <a href="#Fix_1_Disable_Secure_Boot">Fix #1</a> or <a href="#Fix_2_Run_Automatic_Repair">Fix #2</a> doesn't work to fix the winload.efi error, you can also try to disable the built-in anti-malware protection that your Windows 8 system has activated by default.
<ol>
 	<li>Access the Advanced options screen (see <a href="#Fix_2_Run_Automatic_Repair">Fix #2 steps</a> on how to do this using the original disc or try to shutdown/start your computer a few times using the Power button)</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Startup settings</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Restart</strong></li>
 	<li>Your computer will restart and boot into the Startup Settings screen<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/09/Windows-8-Advanced-Boot-Options.png" alt="Windows 8 Startup Settings Screen" /></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>F8</kbd> to select <strong>8) Disable early launch anti-malware protection</strong></li>
</ol>
<h3>Fix #4: Run bootrec</h3>
Similar to <a href="#Fix_1_Rebuild_the_BCD">Fix #1: Rebuild the BCD for Windows 7</a>, you can try to run the same bootrec commands on your Windows 8 systems:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot from the installation DVD or USB</li>
 	<li>Click Repair your computer or press <kbd>R</kbd></li>
 	<li>Navigate to <strong>Troubleshoot &gt; Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>Type the bootrec commands:
<pre>bootrec /FixMbr
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /ScanOs
bootrec /RebuildBcd</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each command</li>
 	<li>Remove the DVD or USB and type <code>exit</code> in Command Prompt:
<pre>exit</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4677" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/bootrec5.png"><img class="wp-image-4677 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/bootrec5-1024x768.png" alt="bootrec utility results screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> bootrec utility results screen[/caption]
<h2>More Information</h2>
<h3>Linked Entries</h3>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/bootrec/">bootrec</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/chkdsk/">chkdsk</a></li>
</ul>
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