Windows 10: Broken Windows 10 MBR bootloader after failed linux dual-boot installation

Bit of backstory:


I have an old Dell Inspiron n5001 laptop and decided to install Manjaro linux after a while on a spare hdd laying around plugged in the cd/dvd reader slot using adapter.

I flash my usb with the gui installer, thinking it would be easier than cli. Everything went seemingly well, untiI rebooted the pc and the grub bootloader decided to give up on me and not recognise any drives.

Decided to reinstall Manjaro again a few times installing grub on different places, like the linux root partition, the linux hdd master boot record and so on. Then thought, if my Windows 10 ssd is first in boot order so why not installing it over the windows MBR.

Still nothing, and now i can't boot Windows anymore. Decided to put it for later and continue installing linux after swiching the drives inside the laptop.I did manage to install Manjaro using cli architect and reflash the usb with a Windows install iso from the website using woeusb on linux.


Time to fix Windows

Tried fixing it using cmd in Windows install usb with no luck.

Bootrec /fixmbr worked, but /fixboot said "access denied".

Followed a tutorial on how to fix it with no success. /Scanos and /rebuildbcd don't see the Windows install.

Tried formating the E volume the one with EFI folder

Tried replacing the bcd file with a new one - failed.


As I feel I'm running out of options I decided to ask the forums myself. If I have to, I will reinstall Windows after backing up but I know there has to be a better way.


Sorry for the long story, but had to give context.

:)

 

Windows 10 installation failure on Linux-Windows dual boot system

I have now tried twice (unsuccessfully) to upgrade the Windows 7 Pro component of my dual-boot system (administered by the GRUB bootloader in the Linux Mint 17.2 partition) to Windows 10 Pro. The installation fails with the message:

"We couldn't install Windows 10

0xC1900101 - 0x2000C

The installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase with an error during the APPLY_IMAGE operation"

Presumably this can be circumvented by deselecting all other boot entries in GRUB than the Windows one; installing Windows 10; then (assuming successful installation using this method) booting into the Linux live DVD and reinstalling the Linux boot option
entries?

Why however, should I have to do this when Linux imposes no such installation constraints?

 

dual booting Windows and Linux

Indeed you can. Just fix the bootloader for windows after installing Linux, add a line to the boot.ini and it will give you the choice via windows bootloader. Same way OS X would do it on a hackintosh.

It will probably go windows bootloader->grub->Linux, though. Since it gives you boot options for linux, its a good idea to have anyways.

 

Dual Boot Windows 10 and Linux Mint

Remember that for any more than four Primary Partitions, you'll need to convert one to Logical which can then have as many Logical sub-partitions as you want. Do not force more than four Primary or the disk will convert to Dynamic which becomes a serious
problem.

As to the optimal way to Dual Boot with Linux I would ensure that you use the advanced options and load grub to the Actual Linux Partition, rather than the active partition, and use EasyBCD to add the grub loader to the Windows Bootloader.

EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required)

With an MBR disk this excellent tutorial would apply even though it's for
Dual Boot - Windows 7 and Linux