MBR Virus
An MBR Virus is a dangerous form of malware that targets the Master Boot Record—the sector of a disk that stores essential boot information and partition structure. When the MBR Virus infects a drive, it alters or replaces the boot code so it can execute before the operating system loads. Because it runs outside the Windows environment, it often bypasses traditional antivirus protection, making the infection appear more severe than typical malware. Users may suddenly find that their system no longer boots, the drive appears RAW or unallocated, or partitions seem to have disappeared entirely.
If your system shows these symptoms, do not panic. The presence of an MBR Virus does not automatically mean your files are gone. In most cases, user data remains intact on the disk sectors; the virus only interferes with the system boot process. With a structured and careful approach, both the boot loader and personal data can be restored safely.
Supports Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server
Table of Contents
Common Symptoms of an MBR Virus
- System will not boot and shows messages such as “Operating System Not Found”
- Disk suddenly becomes RAW or unallocated in Disk Management
- Unexpected missing or duplicated partitions
- Forced restart or lag before reaching Windows login screen
These issues occur because the MBR Virus disrupts the boot process and partition table rather than targeting user files directly.
Safe Recovery and Repair Procedure
The safest strategy is data-first, repair-second. Jumping immediately to MBR rebuild commands may lead to data overwriting if the virus has altered partition tables.
1. Shut down the infected PC and disconnect it from the network.
2. Use a clean computer to create a bootable USB with trusted recovery software.
3. Boot the infected machine from the USB rather than from the internal drive.
4. Perform a read-only data scan to extract important files before rebuilding the MBR. Tools like Magic Data Recovery are specifically designed to scan RAW and unbootable drives without modifying disk content.
5. After recovery, rebuild the MBR safely via Command Prompt:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
6. Restart the system and verify whether Windows loads successfully.
If the device still does not boot after MBR repair, the partition tables may have been damaged. In that situation, perform another recovery scan rather than repeatedly applying repair commands.
Why MBR Viruses Require Careful Handling
Recommended Recovery Strategy
Conclusion
Supports Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server
FAQ about MBR Virus
Does fixing the MBR delete files?
Why does the drive show RAW after infection?
Can antivirus remove an MBR Virus?
Can reinstalling Windows solve the issue?
Can an MBR Virus spread to external drives?
What if the PC still won’t boot after repair?
How do I recover data safely?
