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Critical error Winload EFI – its name already suggests which of the components of the Windows operating system began to work incorrectly or completely failed. For unenlightened users: in this case, the BSoDs can be caused by the boot record (MBR) and incorrect OS boot configuration.

Here’s an example of this error on Windows 10:

The application or operating system could not be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors.

File: windows system32 winload.efi
Error code: 0xc *******

You will need the recovery media on the installation media. If you do not have installation media (such as a disc or USB device), contact your administrator or computer manufacturer.

In today’s article, we will see with you how to get rid of the critical Winload EFI error, and in a fairly short time.

BSoD Winload EFI Solution Methods

Method # 1 Disabling Secure Boot

If your motherboard runs on UEFI and not on a traditional BIOS, then the problem may be with a special feature such as Secure Boot. When not working properly, this feature can literally prevent your computer from accessing the Winload EFI file. On Windows 8 and later versions of Microsoft OS, Secure Boot is enabled by default.

Your actions:

1. Go to BIOS / UEFI of your motherboard.
2. Go to the section / tab with the system configuration or its boot.
3. Find the “Secure Boot” function in the list (the function can be paraphrased in your case) and disable it by setting the appropriate item.
4. Save your changes and restart your computer.

Try to go into the operating system and check if the error with the Winload EFI file is gone.

Method # 2 Restoring the boot record

Let’s try with you to restore the boot record of your operating system. First thing you need to do is get your Windows installation media. You can use following material from Microsoft themselves to create such a thing. Once you have the installation media in your hands, do this:

• boot from the installation media;
• get to the window with the installation of Windows;
• select “System Restore”;
• then select the items “Troubleshooting → Advanced options → Command line”;
• Once you get to the system console, run the following series of commands in it:
  • bootrec / fixboot
  • bootrec / scanos
  • bootrec / fixmbr
  • bootrec / rebuildbcd
• restart your computer.

Remember to disconnect the installation media from your PC so you don’t constantly boot through it. Check for Winload EFI error.

Method # 3 BCDBoot utility

Use the above steps to get to the command prompt in Windows Recovery Environment. Once in the command line, do the following in it:

• execute commands diskpart and list volume;
• remember the letter of the system volume, for example, C or D, and run the command exit;
• then write the command bcdboot C: windowswhere C is the letter of the system volume and press Enter.

You should see a message stating that the OS boot files have been successfully created. Restart your computer and try to log in as usual. Ok, but what if the commands did not help and you still cannot start your PC normally? Well, let’s go back to the command line in the recovery environment and do this:

• enter commands diskpart and list volume;
• take a good look at the list; if you have BIOS and MBR, then we remember the volume number of an NTFS partition with a size of ~ 500 MB, and if you have UEFI and GPT – the volume number of a FAT partition with a size of ~ 100 MB;
• we also remember the letter of the section on which your OS is located;
• now we execute the following series of commands:
  • select volume S (where S is the number of the hidden section);
  • format fs = fat32 (or format fs = ntfs);
  • assign letter = W (or any other unoccupied letter);
  • exit;
  • bcdboot C: Windows / s W: / f ALL;
  • diskpart;
  • list volume;
  • select volume S;
  • remove letter = W;
  • exit…
• reboot the computer again and check if the critical Winload EFI error has been fixed.

Method # 4 Disabling anti-malware protection

In some cases, this problem can be resolved by deactivating anti-malware protection. In this case, you will again need the Windows installation media with its recovery environment. Once you get to the last one, do the following:

• Troubleshooting ↓;
• Additional parameters ↓;
• Download parameters ↓;
• Reload ↓;
• press the F8 button when you are on the corresponding screen to disable early launch of the anti-malware driver.

Have you finally managed to log into the operating system? Congratulations, however, the problem may only be partially resolved. We recommend that you install all pending updates for your Windows operating system, as well as conduct a meticulous system scan for viruses and malware. We hope our material helped you get rid of BSoD with Winload EFI.