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Last updated: Aug 26, 2021

How to Fix Operating System Not Found on Windows10 Issue

Here you will find out:

  • about no operating system found issue
  • how fix the issue
  • how DiskInternals can help you

Are you ready? Let's read!

About the OS missing issue

operating system not found


This message on the screen will not allow you to boot the computer, because the OS was not found for certain reasons.

Therefore, if your computer says it is missing its operating system, do not lose your mind; everything is solved if you approach this issue wisely.


Why was the OS not found?

The message “operating system not found” appears due to serious errors, such as:

  • The BIOS system settings may be incorrectly configured due to system failures
  • Damaged cables or incorrect cable connections
  • The successor to the boot file is damaged and cannot load the OS adequately
  • The hard drive is dead or damaged logically or mechanically

You can’t just fix all these mistakes; you need an explanatory guide and knowledge of minimal technical skills.

In this article, let's try to explain everything to you clearly and in detail.

Step 1. What shows your BIOS

Go into the BIOS configuration settings. To do this, turn on the computer by pressing the Power button while also pressing the F2, F12 or Delete buttons.

After that, go to the configuration section “Boot” and locate the first place in the column “Priority” the hard drive on which the working Windows operating system is. In different versions of BIOS, it has different names; to not get confused, look for a word that has the word “Priority”, such as "Priority Boot" (other names include “Hard Disk Boot Priority”, “Hard Disk Priority”, and “Boot Device Priority”).

After you set the boot priority from the hard drive where your system is located, do not forget to save the settings with the F10 key.

Restart your computer; after that, the OS should be working.

Step 2. Test the hard drive

It is often possible to check performance using a special built-in application.

It almost always comes with the motherboard and you can check its availability on your computer by entering the BIOS. All instructions for using such utilities are on the official websites of the companies that developed your motherboard.

You can safely use them and find out what condition your hard drive is in. If you don’t have this application or if you don’t want to take the risk, it’s okay to skip this step.

You can still handle the problem of “operating system not found”.

Step 3. Get the default BIOS setting

Reset BIOS to default; this option may be the best solution to the “no operating system found in Windows 10” problem.

Go to the BIOS menu and select the option “Reset to default” (the wording may be different in each computer, but the meaning is the same).

Save these changes and restart the computer.

Step 4. Enable the Windows partition

You can enable the partition yourself using the command line and installation disk.

After you boot, click “Restore Computer”. Next, on the command line, type these commands in order (always press Enter after each command).

diskpart

list volume

select volume 2 (or any other number that corresponds to the partition to activate)

active

Enable the Windows partition active.

Then restart the computer and follow the instructions. The OS should boot properly.

What if I'm too afraid to do something?

You can remove your hard drive and attach it as external storage to any other normally functioning computer. Calmly get the files back using DiskInternals Partition Recovery, and then reinstall Windows.

Alternatively, you can simply bring your computer to a computer recovery center.

With DiskInternals Partition Recovery, however, you don’t have to go anywhere and any type of data can be retrieved within a few hours. In addition, no high-level skills are required to use this application.

You will be immediately greeted by the Recovery Wizard, which will guide you through the process. This application carefully scans each section, penetrating deep into the file system, without leaving a single file unnoticed.

You can preview any found file before restoration for free.

Only after that do you need to buy a license and export the recovered data to any removable or stationary medium.

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