As an IT administrator, one of the most important aspects of your role is ensuring that any computer systems you manage remain secure and in good working order. This includes ensuring that any operating systems installed on the machines are properly configured and running correctly. Unfortunately, when dealing with machines running Microsoft Windows 10, this can become complicated. This is because Windows 10 can be adversely affected by the installation of a Linux operating system, due to the differences in the way the two systems handle the Master Boot Record (MBR).
The MBR is a critical component of any computer system, as it is responsible for directing the computer to the correct operating system when it is booted up. If the MBR is damaged or corrupted, the computer may be unable to boot up properly, or may even boot up into a different operating system than the one that was intended. This is the main risk that is posed when installing a Linux operating system on a computer running Windows 10.
Fortunately, if the MBR is damaged or corrupted due to the installation of Linux, there are ways to restore it. The first step is to create a Windows 10 installation media, such as a USB drive, CD-ROM, or DVD. Once this is done, the computer must be booted from this installation media. This can be done by changing the boot order in the BIOS or UEFI settings of the computer.
Once the computer is booted from the installation media, the user must select the “Repair Your Computer” option from the Windows Setup menu. This will open the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). From here, the user can select the “Command Prompt” option, which will open a command prompt window.
In the command prompt window, the user can type the command “bootrec.exe /fixmbr”. This will restore the MBR to the state it was in prior to the installation of Linux. Once this is done, the user can restart the computer, and it should be able to boot properly into Windows 10.
It is important to note that this process should only be done as a last resort, as it will overwrite any changes that were made to the MBR by the Linux operating system. Therefore, it is best to attempt to repair the MBR without using this method first.
Although dealing with the MBR can be a complex and daunting task, with the right knowledge and tools, it is possible to recover the Windows 10 MBR after a Linux installation. This process involves creating a Windows 10 installation media and booting from it, before using the “bootrec.exe /fixmbr” command in the command prompt window of the Windows Recovery Environment. With the correct steps taken, the MBR can be properly restored, and the computer should boot up properly into Windows 10.
