Unable to Boot Windows after Installing New NVMe SSD - Removing Old SSD

Unable to Boot Windows after Installing New NVMe SSD and Removing Old SSD

In this article, we will discuss the issue of being unable to boot Windows after installing a new NVMe SSD and removing the old SSD. We will cover the key concepts related to this problem, including the Windows Boot Manager, the EFI system partition, and the steps to resolve this issue.

Windows Boot Manager

The Windows Boot Manager is a boot loader that is responsible for loading the Windows operating system. It is usually located on the system partition, which is a small partition on the hard drive that contains the boot loader and other system files.

EFI System Partition

The EFI system partition (ESP) is a partition on the hard drive that contains the EFI boot loader and other system files. The ESP is used by the UEFI firmware to boot the operating system.

Issue

If you have recently upgraded your PC by installing a new NVMe SSD and installed Windows on it, but upon booting your PC, the Windows Boot Manager presents an error, it means that the UEFI firmware is unable to locate the boot loader on the new NVMe SSD.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, you need to repair the Windows Boot Manager by reinstalling it on the new NVMe SSD. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Insert the Windows installation media (DVD or USB) and boot your PC from it.
2. Select your language and other preferences, and click on "Next".
3. Click on "Repair your computer".
4. Click on "Troubleshoot".
5. Click on "Command Prompt".
6. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each command:

   
    diskpart
    list disk
    select disk 
    list partition
    select partition 
    assign letter=Z
    exit
    bcdboot C:\Windows /s Z: /f UEFI
    

7. Remove the Windows installation media and restart your PC.

After following these steps, the Windows Boot Manager should be repaired, and your PC should be able to boot from the new NVMe SSD.

References

• Microsoft Docs: Windows Boot Manager
• Microsoft Docs: EFI System Partition Requirements
• TechRepublic: How to repair the Windows boot loader on UEFI-based systems