Oct 12, 2015 So, as a last and desperate option I simply copied winload.exe from the boot folder to its parent folder (windowssystem32winload.exe), rebooted, and low and behold, Vista came back to life! So, all you need to do is simply copy windowssystem32bootwinload.exe to windowssystem32winload.exe. Simple and easy solution. Winload.exe is a system protected file and has full access only by 'Trusted Installer'. I would not use simple copying, renaming, moving this critical system file! Copies of winload.exe can be found in: windowssystem32boot windowswinsxs subfolders (found in 6 subfolders on my Win 7.
Windows System32 Winload Exe Error
I had to restart my computer after a critical Windows 7 Update. My PC would not restart so I ran the Windows 7 Recovery Console from the OS install disk. It asked me to choose an OS from the list and said that if none were listed to click 'load drivers' to install the drivers for the boot device. Since my OS was not listed, I clicked 'load drivers' not even knowing what I would look for. Weirdly, it took me to an explorer window in which I was able to see all the contents of my OS drive. I was able to navigate to the Windows folder, open up cmd.exe, etc. However, I was not able to do anything in the Recovery Console because my OS did not show up in the list.
I took out the OS hard drive and put it in my second computer that is also running Windows 7. In explorer, the entire hard disk is viewable. I ran chkdsk and there were no errors. I rebooted and ran the Recovery Console from the Windows 7 installation disk. This time, both Operating Systems showed up. I highlighted the OS from the problematic PC and ran the repair utility on it which claimed to fix the OS files on that disk.
I restarted the PC and it gave me two OS choices. I chose the OS from the problematic PC and it said that winload.exe is missing error 0xc000000e. I then tried to do a system restore through recovery console and it said it successfully restored the drive to an earlier date, 5 days ago. But - when I try to boot - I still get winload.exe is missing error 0xc000000e. I really do not want to reinstall Windows 7 to this drive. Any way to fix the boot on this disk?
Also, tried copying the winload.exe file from C:WindowsSystem32 on the good OS to C:WindowsSystem32 on the bad OS and it reported that 'you need permission to perform this action'
I took out the OS hard drive and put it in my second computer that is also running Windows 7. In explorer, the entire hard disk is viewable. I ran chkdsk and there were no errors. I rebooted and ran the Recovery Console from the Windows 7 installation disk. This time, both Operating Systems showed up. I highlighted the OS from the problematic PC and ran the repair utility on it which claimed to fix the OS files on that disk.
I restarted the PC and it gave me two OS choices. I chose the OS from the problematic PC and it said that winload.exe is missing error 0xc000000e. I then tried to do a system restore through recovery console and it said it successfully restored the drive to an earlier date, 5 days ago. But - when I try to boot - I still get winload.exe is missing error 0xc000000e. I really do not want to reinstall Windows 7 to this drive. Any way to fix the boot on this disk?
Also, tried copying the winload.exe file from C:WindowsSystem32 on the good OS to C:WindowsSystem32 on the bad OS and it reported that 'you need permission to perform this action'
Active2 years, 4 months ago
If one is missing or has a corrupted winload.exe - and winload~1.exe, winloadOLD.exe, etc. do not work - what can you do to regenerate it? (Such as after a failed logon screen customization.)
Journeyman Geek♦115k4646 gold badges226226 silver badges382382 bronze badges
WindowsEscapistWindowsEscapist1,52333 gold badges1717 silver badges3838 bronze badges
2 Answers
sfc /scannow - should do. Eventually offline scan from recovery CD/USB if you cannot boot.
Winload Error Windows 7 Update
winload.exe is a system protected file and has full access only by 'Trusted Installer'.I would not use simple copying, renaming, moving this critical system file !
Copies of winload.exe can be found in:
- windowssystem32boot
- windowswinsxs subfolders (found in 6 subfolders on my Win 7/64 SP1 system).
The default system loader is 'windowssystem32winload.exe'.
snayobsnayob4,01411 gold badge1111 silver badges1919 bronze badges
In my case, I renamed
to
I know, it sounds rediculous, the file has a VERY different size, but at least, I could boot into my installation again and go on form there.
Xan-Kun Clark-DavisXan-Kun Clark-Davis