Recover .MBR Files Lost After Accidental Shutdown on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .MBR file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

Recover .MBR Files Lost After Accidental Shutdown on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .MBR file?

System file used by Linux operating systems; contains the master boot record, which is used to startup, or bootstrap, the operating system; used for saving or distributing the MBR data.

What Are Common Causes of ".MBR" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".MBR" (Master Boot Record) files being lost or experiencing failure:

  1. Virus or malware infection: Malicious software can corrupt or delete the MBR, causing booting issues and data loss.
  2. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the MBR file while performing system maintenance or disk management tasks.
  3. Disk errors: Physical or logical disk errors, such as bad sectors or file system corruption, can lead to MBR failure.
  4. Power outages: Sudden power outages or improper system shutdowns can interrupt the MBR writing process, resulting in its corruption.
  5. Hardware failures: Issues with the hard drive, motherboard, or other hardware components can cause MBR failure.
  6. Software conflicts: Incompatible or faulty software installations or updates can interfere with the MBR, leading to its loss or corruption.
  7. Dual-boot issues: Dual-boot configurations involving multiple operating systems can sometimes cause MBR problems if not set up correctly.
  8. Disk partitioning errors: Incorrect disk partitioning or resizing operations can damage the MBR and render it unusable.
  9. Bootloader problems: Issues with the bootloader software responsible for loading the operating system can affect the MBR.
  10. Malicious actions: Deliberate actions by an attacker, such as intentionally deleting or modifying the MBR, can cause its failure.

It is important to regularly backup the MBR and keep system security measures in place to prevent data loss and MBR failures.

How to recover lost ".MBR" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".MBR" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".MBR" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".MBR" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".MBR" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
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Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".MBR" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".MBR" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo master Boot Record File image file file?

Programs that open ".MBR" files

Linux
Canonical Wubi Canonical Wubi
GNU GRUB GNU GRUB

Additional Information

  • File type: Master Boot Record File

  • File extension: .MBR

  • Developer: N/A

  • Category: System Files

  • Format: Binary

  • File types that use the extension .MBR:

    • Master Boot Record File

    • Zune Smooth Streaming File

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  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 14:12 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .MBR files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is an MBR (Master Boot Record) and why would it need repair?

    The Master Boot Record (MBR) is a small section of a computer's hard drive that is responsible for booting the operating system. It contains the necessary information for the computer to locate and load the operating system.

    The MBR can sometimes get corrupted or damaged due to various reasons such as malware infections, improper shutdowns, disk errors, or conflicts with other software. When this happens, the computer may fail to boot properly or display error messages during the boot process.

    Repairing the MBR becomes necessary in such cases to restore the functionality of the boot process. This can involve using specialized tools or commands to rewrite or fix the MBR code, allowing the computer to boot correctly again.

  • What are the common signs and symptoms of a damaged or corrupted MBR?

    The Master Boot Record (MBR) is a crucial component of a computer's hard drive that contains essential information for the operating system to start. When the MBR becomes damaged or corrupted, it can lead to various issues. Here are some common signs and symptoms of a damaged or corrupted MBR:

    1. Error messages during boot: You may encounter error messages like "Invalid system disk," "Error loading operating system," or "Missing operating system" when trying to start your computer.
    2. Inability to boot into the operating system: Your computer may fail to boot into the operating system, leaving you stuck at the initial boot screen or in a boot loop.
    3. Unresponsive or frozen system: A damaged MBR can cause your computer to become unresponsive or freeze during the boot process, preventing you from accessing your files and applications.
    4. Disappearing or inaccessible partitions: The MBR contains information about the partitions on your hard drive. If it gets corrupted, you may find that one or more partitions are missing or become inaccessible.
    5. Bootloader issues: The MBR includes the bootloader, which is responsible for loading the operating system. A damaged MBR can result in problems with the bootloader, causing issues with booting or starting up.
    6. Unexpected changes in partition size: A corrupted MBR can sometimes lead to changes in the reported size of partitions, making them appear larger or smaller than they should be.
    7. Data loss or file corruption: In severe cases, a damaged or corrupted MBR can result in data loss or file corruption, as it can affect the ability of the operating system to access and read data on the hard drive.

    If you suspect a damaged or corrupted MBR, it is recommended to seek professional help or use specialized software to repair or restore the MBR to ensure the integrity and functionality of your computer.

  • What are some effective methods or tools available for repairing an MBR on different operating systems?

    There are several methods and tools available for repairing the Master Boot Record (MBR) on different operating systems. Here are some effective options:

    Windows:

    • Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE): Windows provides a built-in recovery environment that can be accessed by booting from a Windows installation media. From there, you can use the "Startup Repair" tool to fix MBR issues.
    • Command Prompt: Booting into the Command Prompt from the Windows installation media allows you to use commands like "bootrec.exe" to rebuild the MBR.
    • Third-party tools: Various third-party software like Easy Recovery Essentials, MiniTool Partition Wizard, and AOMEI Partition Assistant offer MBR repair capabilities.

    macOS:

    • Disk Utility: The Disk Utility tool in macOS can be used to repair the MBR. Boot into Recovery Mode (Command + R during startup) and launch Disk Utility. Select the disk and click on "First Aid" to repair any MBR issues.
    • Terminal: Using the Terminal in Recovery Mode, you can utilize commands like "fdisk" or "diskutil" to repair the MBR.

    Linux:

    • Boot Repair: Boot Repair is a popular tool for repairing boot-related issues in Linux. It can be run from a live Linux distribution or by using a bootable USB drive with Boot Repair installed.
    • Grub Customizer: If the issue is related to the GRUB bootloader, Grub Customizer can be used to repair or reinstall GRUB, which can resolve MBR problems.

    Dual-boot systems:

    • OS-specific repair methods: For dual-boot systems, it's important to follow the repair methods specific to each operating system installed. Repairing the MBR for one OS may cause issues with the other OS, so it's best to refer to the respective repair tools and methods for each OS.

    Remember to always back up important data before attempting any MBR repairs to avoid data loss.
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