Bootrec /Fixboot Element Not Found Windows 10: Troubleshooting the Boot Process

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The 'Element not found' error message that appears during a boot process in Windows 10 can be caused by several factors, including corrupted system files or partition issues. In this article, we'll focus on resolving this issue using the built-in command-line tool `bootrec` and specifically its `/fixboot` option.

Prerequisites

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Before proceeding with these steps, ensure that:

1. Your computer is able to boot into Safe Mode.

2. You have an external drive or USB flash drive available for creating a recovery media (if necessary).

3. You are logged in as the Administrator or have elevated privileges.

Symptoms and Causes of 'Element Not Found' Error

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The following symptoms may indicate that you're experiencing this issue:

* Your computer freezes during startup.

* A blue screen with an error message appears, stating something like '_element_not_found'.

* The boot process hangs at a particular point or never completes.

Possible causes for these symptoms include:

1. Corrupted system files: System file corruption can occur due to various reasons such as hard drive failure, software conflicts, or malicious activity.

2. Partition issues: Problems with the partition table or volume information may prevent Windows from loading correctly.

Troubleshooting Steps

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### Step 1: Run a disk check and repair

Open Command Prompt (or PowerShell) in elevated mode by pressing Win + X > Powershell/Command prompt (depending on your version of Windows), then right-click on the option you want to run as administrator, select 'Run as Administrator'.

Type `chkdsk C:` where 'C' is the drive letter containing your system files. Press Enter and confirm that you want to scan for errors.

Next, type `chkdsk /f` followed by Enter again to repair any issues found during the previous scan.

### Step 2: Run a System File Checker (SFC) Scan

Open Command Prompt as Administrator (as described in step 1).

Type `sfc /scannow`, then press Enter and wait for the scanning process to complete. If errors are detected, SFC will attempt automatic repairs or prompt you to insert your installation media.

### Step 3: Run a System Restore Point

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, try restoring Windows back to an earlier point in time when it was functioning correctly:

1. Go to Start > Settings.

2. Click on 'Update & Security'.

3. Select 'Recovery' from left-hand menu.

4. Underneath 'Startup Repair', click on 'Troubleshoot'.

Now select 'Advanced options'. Then, under the section titled 'System Restore', choose your preferred restore point and follow through with the wizard.

### Step 4: Perform a clean installation of Windows

If none of these steps resolve the issue or you are not comfortable performing more advanced troubleshooting procedures (such as booting from an external media), it may be necessary to perform a fresh, clean installation of Windows:

1. Back up all important files and data before proceeding with this step.

2. Boot your computer using either a USB flash drive or CD/DVD containing the official Media Creation ISO for Windows 10 that matches your system architecture (32-bit/64-bit).

3. Follow through with the wizard to complete the installation process, ensuring you select 'Keep my files' if desired during setup.

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The 'Element not found' error message can be frustrating and time-consuming to resolve, especially when it prevents you from accessing important applications like Adobe Creative Suite or other essential programs on your Windows 10 system. By following these troubleshooting steps in the correct order (from least invasive to most drastic), you should be able to identify and rectify any underlying issues preventing a successful boot process.

Remember that maintaining regular backups of both files and operating systems can greatly expedite recovery from such situations, saving valuable time otherwise spent on manual data restoration or reinstallation efforts.

Bootrec /fixboot element not found windows 10