Windows Boot Manager - Windows 7

[ChrisC]

I have an Acer 32 bit laptop with the Windows 7 Home OS installed by the manufacturer from when I purchased it about three years ago. Until a few days ago it has booted straight to the Windows desktop. But now, when I switch on, after a few seconds I get a Command type blue screen showing in white letters:

Windows Boot Manager
Choose an Operating System to start, or press TAB to select a tool.
Windows 7 [highlighted, no other option shown]
To specify an Advanced Option for this choice, Press F8 [Pressing F8 doesn't do anything]
Tools: Windows Memory Diagnostic​

Normal boot takes place when I press Enter/Return.
The computer has only ever had Windows 7 installed - I have not allowed Windows 10 to download.

Why has this screen just started appearing?

How can I get my computer to boot straight to the Desktop as before?

Thank you in anticipation of your help.

 

[johnb35]

Real easy.

1. Right click on "computer" click on properties.
2. Click on advanced system settings on left.
3. Click on settings under startup and recovery.
4. In the default operating system box, choose windows 7, click ok.

 

[ChrisC]

Real easy.

1. Right click on "computer" click on properties.
2. Click on advanced system settings on left.
3. Click on settings under startup and recovery.
4. In the default operating system box, choose windows 7, click ok.

View attachment 7456 View attachment 7457 View attachment 7458

Thanks John, but I should have mentioned in my original post that I have tried this already: Everything as your screenshots except obviously "Windows 7" instead of 10.

I'm afraid it doesn't work I have also looked at the BIOS but all seems OK there. Any more ideas?

 

[johnb35]

Any new software installed or possibly EasyBCD installed and setup? Is there only 1 windows 7 option in that box?

 

[ChrisC]

Any new software installed or possibly EasyBCD installed and setup? Is there only 1 windows 7 option in that box?

No new software (apart from Windows updates [not W10]); only one option [Windows 7] shown in drop-down.
Nothing has been installed or changed by me since before the Windows Boot Manger screen came up.
I have another Windows 7 laptop which correctly boots directly to desktop and has the very same settings in "Startup & Recovery", just as this machine did until a couple of days ago. It was not used for the week previously before which it worked perfectly!

 

[johnb35]

Then in that case, I would do a system restore back to the day when it was working correctly and see what happens. Can't hurt.

 

[ChrisC]

Then in that case, I would do a system restore back to the day when it was working correctly and see what happens. Can't hurt.

Not sure that would work as the Boot Manager appears before Windows OS starts - about same time as BIOS is read. Surely System Restore will only restore Windows settings. Anyway not sure it is worth having to re-install all the Windows Updates and AV updates since last Restore point. It is not a great hardship to press the Enter key once on boot-up! Just nice not to have to!

 

[johnb35]

If it's only been like this for a few days it's not gonna entail that much. Updates install automatically providing you have it set that way.

 

[ChrisC]

If it's only been like this for a few days it's not gonna entail that much. Updates install automatically providing you have it set that way.

I have now tried going back to a Restore Point well before this arose, as you suggested. As I suspected, it made no difference so I undid the Restore Point to return the computer back to 'present time'.
I am still of the opinion that, on boot-up, the Windows Boot Manager is active after the BIOS settings are installed but before Windows 7 boots. The Windows 7 boot logo appears as soon as I press Enter/Return when the Boot Manager screen shows ... which surely proves this.
Could the Boot Manager file have got corrupted and, if so, where is it located and how could I replace it?