Fix: Boot Configuration Data File Does Not Contain Valid Information for an Operating System

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Linda 

Updated on April 25, 2024

The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file stores information related to the Windows Boot Manager. It is essential for a Windows computer to boot successfully because the data within it directs the bootmgr and enables it to load the operating system from the BCD file. When this file becomes corrupted and hinders the computer from starting up the Windows system, you will encounter corresponding error codes and messages that indicate specific issues.

One of the most common scenarios is encountering a message on your screen that says, "The Boot Configuration Data file does not contain valid information for an operating system."

To fix this issue, this post from tools will provide you with 5 practical solutions. Keep reading, and good luck.

5 Ways to Fix The Boot Configuration Data File Doesn't Contain Valid Information for an Operating System 1. Use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) 2. Repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Store 3. Perform a System Restore 4. Boot from a Windows Installation or Repair Disc 5. Reinstall Windows (as a last resort) Explanation: 1. **Use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):** - Restart your computer and enter the WinRE by pressing F8 during startup (for older systems) or repeatedly tapping the Shift key while clicking "Restart" in the Windows menu (for newer systems). - Choose "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Command Prompt." - In the Command Prompt, type `bootrec.exe /fixmbr` and press Enter to repair the Master Boot Record. - If that doesn't work, try `bootrec.exe /fixboot` and then `bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd`. 2. **Repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Store:** - Access the Command Prompt through the WinRE as mentioned above. - Type `bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup` and press Enter to create a backup of the BCD store. - Now, run `bcdedit /set {default} osdevice boot` and press Enter. - Type `bcdedit /set {default} device boot` and press Enter. - Finally, execute `bcdedit /displayorder {bootmgr} /addlast` and restart your PC. 3. **Perform a System Restore:** - In the WinRE, choose "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "System Restore." - Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point prior to the issue occurring. 4. **Boot from a Windows Installation or Repair Disc:** - Insert the installation disc or USB drive and restart your computer. - Boot from the disc or USB by changing the boot order in your BIOS settings. - Choose your language and click "Repair your computer." - Follow the prompts to access the "Startup Repair" tool. 5. **Reinstall Windows (as a last resort):** - Back up all important data before proceeding. - From the Windows installation media, choose "Install now" and proceed with a clean installation. - This will erase all existing data, so ensure you have backups before doing this.

If you're encountering the error right now, review the five solutions outlined below, and you might find the suitable one to fix your Windows.

?Read Also: How to Fix Selected File Is Not a Proper BIOS [4 Ways]

Method 1: Run Startup Repair

When you come across a boot error like this, the most common remedy is to run Startup Repair in the Windows Recovery Environment. It can automatically diagnose and fix certain system files that might be responsible for preventing Windows from booting.

Step 1. Turn your computer on and off repeatedly while the logo is displayed for three times. This will initiate Automatic Repair on your computer.

Step 2. Click "Advanced options" to proceed.

Step 3. Click on " Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Repair."

Step 4. Wait for the program to fix the error automatically.

If this method doesn't work, try the next one. Share this post with your friends who also encountered this error and help them out.

Way 2. Rebuild the BCD File

Rebuilding BCD can usually fix most issues caused by a corrupted or empty BCD file. If you're a beginner with limited knowledge of using command lines to rebuild Boot Configuration Data, I recommend you download a professional third-party software like tools Partition Master Professional.

This tool has a powerful feature called Boot Repair, which lets you rebuild BCD with a user-friendly interface and simple steps.

If your computer is unbootable now, start with Step 1 here. If it's bootable, move to Step 3 and start the process.

**Step 1. Prepare a new PC and create a bootable media with Partition Master tools** First, ensure that you have a new PC ready. Next, you'll need to create a bootable media using tools Partition Master. Follow these steps: 1. Download the tools Partition Master software from their official website. 2. Install the software on your new PC. 3. Launch Partition Master and look for an option to create a bootable USB or CD/DVD. This may be under "Tools" or "Help" menus, depending on the version you're using. 4. Insert a USB drive or blank CD/DVD into your PC's corresponding port or drive. 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to create the bootable media. The software will format the USB or CD/DVD, so make sure there's no important data on it. 6. Once the process is complete, safely remove the bootable media from your PC. Now you have a bootable Partition Master media that can be used to boot and manage partitions on your target PC.

1. On a new computer, plug an empty USB drive into your PC. 2. Install and launch the tool Partition Master. Go to the "Bootable Media" section, choose "Create bootable media," then click "Next." 3. Select the empty USB or external disk as the target disk to create the bootable media for generating a Blue Screen error checking tool.

Step 2. Boot your PC from the tools bootable USB

Next, connect the bootable USB to the PC with the blue screen error, and reboot the PC from the USB by setting it as the boot device. Here's how: restart the PC, press the F2/F8/F11/Del key to enter BIOS, navigate to the boot menu, set the USB as the boot drive, save the changes, and restart the PC.

Step 3. Enable Partition Master with its Boot Repair feature, and open the "Blue Screen" tool.

When Partition Master starts, go to the Toolkit section and click “Boot Repair”.

Next, click on "Blue Screen" and select the listed Blue Screen error to view its details. Alternatively, you can enter a specific blue screen code or description to search for the corresponding solution to fix it.

Step 4. Fix blue screen error

Here are the translations for the provided language segments: 1. Now, you can follow the solution guide to eliminate the respective BSOD or blue screen issue from your PC. 2. If that doesn't work, you can also click the "Live Chat" button to request remote assistance in resolving this issue with the aid of the technical support team.

Refer to the following guidelines to explore more available ways of rebuilding BCD: 1. Use built-in Windows tools: - Start the computer in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). - Access the Command Prompt. - Run the `bootrec` commands, such as `/fixmbr`, `/fixboot`, `/rebuildbcd`. 2. Utilize third-party software: - Download and install a reliable BCD repair tool, like EasyBCD or BCDEdit. - Follow the software's instructions to scan and fix the BCD. 3. Manual editing with BCDEdit: - Boot into WinRE. - Open an elevated Command Prompt. - Use BCDEdit commands to locate and fix errors or recreate the BCD store. 4. Restore from a backup: - If you have a backup of the BCD store, use BCDEdit to restore it. - Run `bcDEDit /import ` 5. Clean installation: - Backup your important data. - Perform a clean installation of Windows, which will automatically create a new BCD. 6. Seek professional assistance: - If all else fails, consult a technical expert or contact Microsoft Support for further guidance. Remember to exercise caution when manipulating system files and always create backups before making significant changes.

How to Rebuild BCD in Windows 10&11

Dealing with a corrupted or missing boot configuration file, this article offers you multiple methods to rebuild BCD.

Although the most efficient solution is to rebuild BCD, sometimes it cannot fix the error. If you find this method unable to resolve the problem, try the next method.

Method 3: Activate the Correct Partition

There's also a chance that an inactive partition could cause your Boot Configuration Data file to contain no valid information for the OS on your hard drive. Hence, you need to make sure the correct partition is set as active. Follow these steps to activate the proper partition.

< strong > Step 1. < /strong> Turn your computer on and off repeatedly three times while the logo is displayed. This will access Automatic Repair on your computer.

Step 2. Click "Advanced options" to proceed.

Step 3. Click on "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Command Prompt".

Step 4. Type the commands one after another, and press "Enter" after each one.

These commands are already in English, but here they are again for clarity: ```markdown
• diskpart
• list disk
• select disk 0 (replace 0 with the Windows system drive number)
• list partition
• select partition 3 (replace 3 with the number of the partition where the system files are)
• active
• exit
``` These are command-line instructions for using the Diskpart utility in Windows, which is used for managing disks and partitions. Make sure to replace the numbers (0 and 3 in this case) with the appropriate disk and partition numbers for your system.

Once you've entered these commands, restart your computer and check if the error has been resolved.

Way 4. Run an SFC and CHKDSK Scan

The CHKDSK command line and System File Checker can also resolve the issue by scanning and repairing system files. To run the SFC and CHKDSK commands and fix the corrupted file system, you need to launch Command Prompt from the Windows Recovery Environment.

Step 1. Turn your computer on and off repeatedly while the logo is displayed, three times. This will initiate Automatic Repair on your computer.

Step 2. Click "Advanced options" to proceed.

Step 3. Click on "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Command Prompt".

Step 4. Type sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows\ and press "Enter".

Step 5. Once the SFC scan is finished, type chkdsk /r /f c: and press "Enter" to run the command.

Note: Replace C with the Windows drive letter if your OS is installed on a different drive.

These command lines can check for and fix many kinds of hard drive problems that could be keeping your computer from starting up and showing you this message.

Don't forget to share this comprehensive and detailed article on your social media!

Way 5. Reset Your PC

If the issue persists after trying all the above methods, you have one option left – resetting your PC. Before doing this, it's recommended that you create a WinPE bootable disk and backup your personal files. Afterwards, you can proceed with the steps below to reset your computer.

Step 1. Press "F11" while your computer is starting up to access the Windows RE.

Step 2. Click " Troubleshoot > Reset this PC ".

Step 3. Choose “Keep my files” or “Remove everything,” then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Reset this PC

If you come across the error message "Unable to Reset PC. A required drive partition is missing," refer to this article to explore possible solutions.

[Solved] Unable to Reset Your PC. A Required Drive Partition Is Missing

On this page, we will discuss the reasons behind the error "Windows unable to reset your PC" and guide you on how to fix it without data loss, enabling you to successfully reset your PC. Read more >>

Main Causes for "Boot Configuration Data File Doesn't Contain Valid Information" Error

There are numerous reasons why you might encounter the error message "Boot Configuration Data File Does Not Contain Valid Information" on your computer. Here are the two most frequent causes of this issue:

Here are the translations for the provided text:
• The BCD doesn't contain valid entries. This is mainly caused by incorrect manual BCD configuration, disk write errors, malware infections, unexpected power outages, and boot sector issues.
• The driver for the hard drive is incompatible. This typically occurs after installing an incompatible new service pack or upgrading to an inappropriate system version, which can lead to the error.

Here are some other issues related to BCD that might interest you:

Conclusion

"The Boot Configuration Data file doesn't contain valid information for an operating system" is a frequent error encountered in Windows computers. This issue typically arises due to corrupted BCD files or incompatible drivers. If the error persistently reappears, it would be advisable to check the health of your hard drive, as it might require an upgrade. Alternatively, it could be a result of faulty RAM.

In most cases, with the assistance of tools like Partition Master, which offers multiple powerful features, you can easily and safely rectify the error and restore your PC to its previous normal state. Download it promptly to fix your computer!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on "The Boot Configuration Data File Doesn't Contain Valid Information for an Operating System"

If you still have other questions related to the Boot Configuration Data file not containing valid information for an operating system, the information below might be able to assist you.

1. What does the error "0xc0000098 Boot Configuration Data file doesn't contain valid information" mean?

0xc0000098 is an error code that typically signifies a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issue, which often occurs after cloning the operating system or upgrading to Windows 10. This problem is primarily attributed to two issues: either the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) has no entry, or there is an incompatible hard drive driver.

2. How do I resolve error code 0xc0000098 on Windows 10?

You can correct this error by attempting these solutions:

• Run Startup Repair Tool
• Rebuild the BCD File
• Run a CHKDSK and SFC Scan
• Activate the Proper Partition
• Reset This PC

3. Why can't Startup Repair fix my PC?

This issue might occur due to a virus or malware infection, incompatible programs, incorrect BIOS settings, hardware component failure, outdated drivers, and so on. Any of these factors could contribute to the malfunction of Startup Repair.