How to Rebuild BCD | Everything You Should Know

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Linda 

Updated on April 22, 2024

BCD, short for Boot Configuration Data, is an firmware-independent database for boot-time configuration data that contains crucial information used by the Windows boot loader to determine where to locate boot information. Consequently, any corruption or loss of the BCD file can lead to startup errors and render the system unbootable. Here's a real-life scenario posted online:

Have you ever come across the same issue? In that case, you'll need to rebuild the BCD to rectify this error. This article will present three effective methods to guide you through seamlessly rebuilding the BCD and resolving the boot BCD error in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

How to Rebuild BCD in Windows 10 & 11 - 3 Methods

This section will contain three solutions and detailed instructions. Check the overall list first:

1. Fix 1. Repair BCD with Partition Master tools
2. Fix 2. Apply Startup Repair
3. Fix 3. Rebuild BCD using the Bootrec.exe Tool

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Fix 1: Repair BCD using Partition Master tools

To restore BCD and fix unbootable issues, you'll require a specialized tool - tools Partition Master Professional. This software is crafted for managing users' disks and offering diverse assistance, such as repairing startup errors, rectifying boot failures, and reconstructing MBR. Its user-friendly interface and straightforward instructions guarantee a smooth experience for novices.

With the help of its "Boot Repair" feature, you can effectively repair BCD files and provide BCD and UEFI management.

Follow the tutorial below to fix the unbootable issue:

Step 1. Connect the USB drive/external drive to a working computer, open AOMEI Partition Assistant (RE), and click "Create Bootable Media."

Step 2. Choose the Boot Toolkits and any other components you need, then click "Next."

Step 3. Choose your removable device and click "Go" to create an image on your USB drive/external drive. You can also burn the Windows ISO file to the storage media.

Step 4. Confirm the warning message, then wait for the creation process to complete.

Step 5. Connect the created bootable drive to the problematic computer and restart it while holding down "F2" or "Del" to access the BIOS. Next, set the WinPE bootable drive as the primary boot device, and press "F10" to exit and initiate the boot process.

Step 6. The computer will then enter the WinPE desktop. Open BootRepair, select the system you wish to repair, and click "Repair."

Select the OS to be repaired

Step 7. Wait a moment, and you will receive an alert that the system has been successfully repaired. Click "OK" to complete the boot repair process.

Once you've repaired the BCD error, restart your computer to check if the problem has been resolved. You can also try the "BCD Menu" tool under the "Boot Repair" tab. This tool allows you to explicitly define the location of the BCD file, ensuring that the system can correctly locate it.

Other Powerful Features of Partition Master Tools

• Check File System: Identify and repair file system errors contributing to boot issues.
• Rebuild MBR: Rebuild the Master Boot Record to fix boot problems.
• Partition Recovery: Safely recover lost or deleted partitions to retrieve valuable data.
• Disk Surface Test: Examine your disk's health to ensure it's not the source of the boot problem.

Download and install this trouble-solver from the button below:

Translation: Solution 2: Perform Startup Repair

Another cause of an unbootable BCD error is corruption of the operating system. You can utilize the Windows computer repair option to fix your operating system. Let's explore how to use this feature:

Step 1. Click the "Repair Your Computer" option to launch the Windows Recovery Environment. Enter the "Advanced Options" under "Troubleshoot."

Step 2. Next, select "Startup Repair" to start the repair process. When it's done, Windows will restart on its own.

Reinstalling Ubuntu will not affect your personal files, but it will remove all installed applications and settings.

Fix 3. Rebuild BCD via Bootrec.exe Tool Translation: Solution 3. Rebuild BCD Using the Bootrec.exe Utility

When the BCD gets corrupted, you won't be able to boot from the hard drive. In such a scenario, you can utilize the Bootrec.exe command lines in the Command Prompt to rebuild the BCD. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Navigate to "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Command Prompt."

Step 2. Type the following CMD commands one by one and press "Enter" after each:

Translate the following commands into English: ```markdown
• bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
• ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
• Bootrec /rebuildbcd
``` Translation: ```markdown
• Backup the BCD store to C:\BCD_Backup: bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
• Rename the existing BCD file: ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
• Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store: Bootrec /rebuildbcd
```

Rebuild BCD

Step 3. Type exit to quit the process and restart your computer.

What Can Cause BCD Errors?

As we know, if the Windows Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is lost, corrupted, or incorrectly configured, the system will fail to boot. Here are some common BCD boot errors:

Here are the translations for the provided languages: 1. The boot configuration data store could not be opened. Access is denied. - The boot configuration data store could not be opened. Access is denied. 2. The boot configuration data store could not be opened; the system cannot find the file specified. - The boot configuration data store could not be opened; the system cannot find the file specified. These translations are already in English. If you need them translated into another language, please specify the target language.

So, what could cause a BCD boot error?

Here are the translations of the given text into English:
• Corrupted or missing BCD file: The BCD file is responsible for booting the operating system. If it becomes corrupted or is deleted, it can lead to a BCD error.
• Incorrect BIOS settings: If the BIOS settings are not configured properly, it can result in a BCD error. This can occur due to modifications in the BIOS settings or a faulty BIOS update.
• Malware or virus infections: Certain malware or viruses can target the BCD file and corrupt it, resulting in a BCD error.
• Hard drive failure: Issues with the hard drive, such as bad sectors or physical damage, can prevent the system from accessing the BCD file correctly.
• Incorrect disk partitioning: If the disk partitions are not set up accurately, it can disrupt the BCD file and cause a BCD error.

Refer to the following article for more information about the BCD error:

The Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened

This guide provides 6 solutions to help users resolve the error "boot configuration data store could not be opened."

Conclusion

This article provides detailed, step-by-step instructions, clear explanations, and valuable guidance for rebuilding the BCD (Boot Configuration Data). Additionally, we've compiled essential information about common boot BCD errors. If you're encountering these errors, we highly recommend using the tool Partition Master. Its functionality goes beyond mere problem-solving, as it enables you to repair various startup errors and unbootable issues. Act quickly and download this comprehensive software.

FAQ on How to Repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

If you still have additional questions about rebuilding BCD, you can view and get your answers in this frequently asked question section:

< strong > 1. Why does the Windows BCD boot error 0xc00000f occur? < /strong >

This issue occurs when any of the following scenarios exist: Corruption in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) No reference or an unknown reference to DEVICE/OSDEVICE in the boot configuration data. The binary displayed in the screenshot is missing from the system disk, except for winload.exe or \boot\BCD.

< strong > 2. Where can I find the BCD file? < /strong >

For the MBR system disk, you can access the active partition and find the BCD registry file in the \Boot\Bcd directory. For the EFI-based operating system, you will discover the BCD file in its EFI system partition.

Yes, you can manually edit the BCD file by following the simplified tutorial below:

1. Click "Start" > "Settings" > "System" > "Advanced system settings." 2. In the "Advanced" tab, under "Startup and Recovery," click "Settings." 3. In the "Startup and Recovery Settings" window, you can modify the default operating system options. When finished, click "OK."