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- HP Community
- Notebooks
- Notebook Operating System and Recovery
- Windows\system32\winload.exe file missing or corrupt

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06-28-2018 08:36 AM
I'm not able to start my windows because it's showing a missing or corrupted file: windows \system32\winload.exe. And saying that it might be caused by a recent hardware or software change. I tried to reinstall windows 7 but after a few seconds of loading files it goes back to same page showing error. Thanks,
06-28-2018 09:14 AM
Filesystem corruption like this can be an early indicator of a failing hard drive, especially if this is the original drive that came with Win7 preinstalled all those years ago.
If your PC is new enough to support UEFI, you can use these steps to test the hard drive: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00439024
If not, you have to follow these steps:
1) Press Esc key repeatedly, several times a second, while rebooting the laptop. Do NOT hold the key down, just press it over and over.
2) Eventually, you will see an HP Startup Menu -- that will look similar to the image below ...
3) press the Function key for testing the hard drive (usually F2) and let it run.
Please report back the test results.
I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor represent, HP
06-28-2018 03:40 PM
Thanks for replying,