"The Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened" [6 Solutions]

Updated by

Tracy King 

Written by

Cici 

Updated on April 25, 2024

The error message "The Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened" is quite frequent when dealing with BCD (Boot Configuration Data) files while executing the "bcdedit.exe" utility. This issue might hinder the system from booting if the BCD files are corrupted or incorrectly configured. Consequently, you might also encounter problems such as:

• Inability to access or modify BCD (Boot Configuration Data).
• Difficulty in dual-booting or altering system configurations.
• System instability.

BCD files are essential for the proper booting of an operating system, and any failure in their execution can result in issues, often manifesting with messages like:

Here are the translations of the provided text into English:
1. "The boot configuration data store could not be opened; the system cannot find the file specified."
2. "The boot configuration data store could not be opened; the requested system device cannot be found."
3. "The boot configuration data store could not be opened. Access is denied."

So, if you've encountered such an error, you're on the right track. Keep reading this article to fix the issue with the Boot Configuration Data store that couldn't be opened.

How to Fix Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened

Refer to the table provided below for a brief overview of the methods you will be implementing, their efficiency, and the difficulty level of each method.

Here are specific instructions for each method shown in the table above. Feel free to share this guide with friends who are also looking for solutions to fix their boot configuration.

Method 1: Run Command Prompt as Administrator

The command-line tool "bcdedit" requires administrative privileges to manage the BCD. To resolve the "Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened" issue, you can elevate your privileges in the Command Prompt and run "bcdedit.exe" with administrator rights. Follow these steps to accomplish this: 1. **Right-click the Start button**: Locate the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen, and right-click on it. 2. **Select "Command Prompt (Admin)"**: From the context menu that appears, choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" depending on your operating system. 3. **User Account Control prompt**: A User Account Control prompt will appear, asking if you want to allow the app to make changes to your device. Click "Yes" to proceed. 4. **Type the command**: In the Command Prompt window, type `bcdedit.exe` and press Enter. 5. **Execute the command**: The "bcdedit" tool will now run with administrative privileges, allowing you to manage the Boot Configuration Data Store. 6. **Diagnose and fix the issue**: Use appropriate "bcdedit" commands to troubleshoot and resolve the problem. If you're unsure which commands to use, consult Microsoft's documentation or seek assistance from a professional. Remember to exercise caution when using command-line tools, as incorrect usage can lead to unintended consequences.

Step 1. Right-click the Start button.

Step 2. Select "Command Prompt (Admin)."

Run as administrator

Step 3. Retry the 'bcdedit.exe' command to see if the issue persists.

Method 2: Use the Boot Repair Tool

A boot repair tool can fix various BCD-related issues, including missing or inaccessible boot BCD files. The versatile software tools Partition Master can assist you in managing BCD-related problems. It features an excellent "Boot Repair" function capable of addressing several BCD exception scenarios, like when the boot BCD file is missing or cannot be found.

You can download tools Partition Master and quickly fix the "The boot configuration data store could not be opened" problem, both easily and quickly.

Step 1. After connecting the external drive/USB to your computer, launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, then go to "Bootable Media" and click "Create Bootable Media."

Step 2. Choose an available USB drive or CD/DVD and click "Create." You can also burn the Windows ISO file to the storage media.

Step 3. Connect the created bootable drive to the new computer and restart it by pressing and holding F2 or Del to enter BIOS. Then, set the WinPE bootable drive as the boot disk and press F10 to exit.

Step 4. Restart the computer and enter the WinPE interface. Next, open the Partition Master tool and click on "Boot Repair" under the "Toolkit" option.

Step 5: Select the system you want to repair and click "Repair."

Step 6. Wait a moment, and you will receive a notification that the system has been successfully repaired. Click "OK" to finish the boot repair process.

Other errors that Partition Master can fix:

Method 3: Change the Boot Mode

Switching the boot mode might be beneficial when encountering the "Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened" issue, as it can realign the system's boot settings and resolve potential conflicts.

Step 1. Restart your computer.

Step 2. Access the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing a key such as F2, F12, Del, or Esc while booting up).

Step 3. Find the "Boot" or "Boot Options" section.

Step 4. Switch between UEFI and Legacy/CSM boot mode.

Step 5. Save the changes and exit BIOS/UEFI.

Change Boot Mode

Step 6. Allow your computer to boot into Windows.

Step 7. Reattempt the 'bcdedit.exe' command.

Method 4: Change the Partition Style

Converting from MBR to GPT or vice versa can help resolve compatibility issues and ensure proper recognition of the boot configuration data store. Moreover, the versatile disk management tool, Partition Master, simplifies this process for you.

The MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table) partition styles can be switched using the tool Partition Master. The seamless transition capability between these two partition schemes makes this tool crucial for resolving issues.

Here's how to proceed:

Step 1. Download and launch Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2. Go to Disk Converter, select "Convert MBR to GPT" and click "Next" to proceed.

Step 3. Select the target MBR disk that you want to convert to GPT and click "Convert" to start the process.

After you change the partition style with the help of this tool, check if the issue has been resolved. In most cases, this method is found to be quite effective. So, if you haven't tried this approach yet, head to your browser and download the tool Partition Master to witness how seamlessly it can resolve your issue.

Method 5: Specify BCD File

This lets you explicitly define the location of the BCD (Boot Configuration Data) file, ensuring that the system can find it correctly when you encounter the error: "The boot configuration data store could not be opened; the system cannot find the file specified."

Using the utility Partition Master, a comprehensive Windows boot repair tool, you can effectively accomplish this task. The BCD menu within Partition Master enables you to specify the location of the BCD file.

Method 6: Rebuild BCD Method 6. Rebuilding the Boot Configuration Data

If the above methods fail to solve the "bcdedit: The boot configuration data store could not be opened" issue, you can manually rebuild BCD using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and the Windows 10 installation disc.

Here are the steps you can follow to successfully address issues related to BCD:

Step 1. Insert the Windows 10 installation disc to start your PC from it.

Step 2. Once the Windows setup begins, select "Next," then choose "Repair your computer," followed by "Troubleshoot," and finally, "Command Prompt."

Step 3. In the elevated Command Prompt window, enter the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

Here are the translations of the provided commands into English:
• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /scanos
• bootrec /rebuildbcd
These are Windows command line utilities used for troubleshooting and repairing the boot process. Here's a brief explanation of each: 1. **bootrec /fixmbr**: This command repairs or replaces the Master Boot Record (MBR) without affecting the partition table. 2. **bootrec /fixboot**: This command writes a new boot sector to the system partition to fix boot issues. 3. **bootrec /scanos**: Scans all disks for Windows installations and attempts to identify any missing operating systems. 4. **bootrec /rebuildbcd**: Rebuilds the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, which is used to store boot information for Windows Vista and later versions. This command helps in recovering lost or damaged boot entries.

Step 4. Once the process is complete, restart your computer and check if the error has been fixed.

If you found this article helpful in resolving your issue, consider sharing it with friends who might benefit from these solutions.

Sharing knowledge can make troubleshooting easier for everyone! And if you come across the bootrec /fixboot error, don't worry; here's a tutorial article to assist you:

Getting Bootrec /Fixboot Access Is Denied Error? Roundup Solutions

What should you do when encountering the 'bootrec /fixboot Access is denied' error message in Command Prompt? This article provides all possible solutions to fix the [bootrec /fixboot access denied] issue in Windows 10/8/7.

What Is Boot Configuration Data

In Windows operating systems, the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is a vital system component. It stores critical configuration settings for the boot loader, making it essential to the boot process. BCD tells the computer how to boot up and load the operating system.

When the BCD is damaged or has problems, several boot-related issues might occur, including:

5. 您需要修复启动配置数据。 Translation: You need to repair the Boot Configuration Data. 6. 系统可能会自动修复这个问题。 Translation: The system might automatically fix this issue. 7. 如果问题仍然存在，请尝试使用命令提示符工具。 Translation: If the problem persists, try using a command prompt utility. 8. 输入“bcdedit /enum all”以列出所有BCD条目。 Translation: Type "bcdedit /enum all" to list all BCD entries. 9. 你可能需要恢复备份的BCD存储。 Translation: You might need to restore a backup of the BCD store. 10. 在安全模式下启动电脑，然后重试。 Translation: Start your computer in Safe Mode and try again.

Now that you know what BCD is and the issues it might create, continue reading to see why you could get the particular error message: "The BootConfiguration Data Store Could Not Be Opened." If you like this tutorial, you can share it with others by clicking the social buttons below:

Why The Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened This message typically appears when there's an issue with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, which is a critical component in the Windows operating system responsible for managing boot settings and configuration. Here's the translation in English: "Why The Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened" This indicates that there was an error or problem while attempting to access or load the Boot Configuration Data store, which might prevent your computer from starting up correctly. To resolve this issue, you may need to use tools like the Command Prompt in Windows Recovery Environment or seek assistance from a professional.

Check out a genuine example from the Microsoft community forum to understand the context of the error.

This is a perfect example of the problem that many Windows users encounter.

So, keep reading to uncover the underlying factors behind the “Access is denied” issue.

• Lack of Command Prompt Window Privileges. Administrative rights are required to access BCDedit. The "Access is denied" error might occur if the Command Prompt is not started with administrator privileges.
• Missing Startup Configuration Data File. If the startup configuration data file is absent or corrupted, Windows will encounter this issue since it cannot fetch the crucial boot information.
• Boot Partition Type and Disk Partition Table Inconsistency. When the boot partition type (MBR or GPT) and the disk's partition table are inconsistent, BCD access might be hindered, leading to errors.

Conclusion

The "Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened" error is a common and frustrating issue for Windows users. It can lead to the failure of the boot process and result in additional problems.

However, after exploring various approaches to this issue, each with a differing degree of efficiency and complexity, the Partition Master Tool stands out as an exceptionally effective and straightforward solution. Its Boot Repair feature makes it the ideal choice for swiftly resolving BCD-related issues, simplifying the process for users.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened

Suppose you have any further inquiries. The subsequent sections provide answers to frequently asked questions about "The Boot Configuration Data Store Could Not Be Opened."

1. How to fix BCD errors in Windows 10?

Fixing the BCD error in Windows 10 isn't overly complicated. Simply follow the steps outlined below, and you should be able to resolve the issue promptly.

Step 1. Launch the Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2. Run 'bcdedit.exe' to check for BCD errors and apply appropriate fixes.

2. How can the requested system device not be found? This error message typically appears when a computer is unable to locate a specific hardware device that is required to run a program or perform a certain function. Here are a few possible reasons and solutions: 1. **Device not connected or properly plugged in**: Ensure that the device is physically connected to the computer, and the connection is secure. For external devices like USB drives, try plugging it into a different port. 2. **Driver issues**: The device driver might be outdated, corrupted, or missing. Visit the manufacturer's website to download and install the latest drivers for the device. 3. **Disabled or disconnected in Device Manager**: Check the Device Manager (in Windows, right-click on Start and select Device Manager) to see if the device is disabled or has any exclamation marks next to it. Enable it or update the driver if necessary. 4. **BIOS settings**: In some cases, the device may not be recognized due to incorrect BIOS settings. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2 or Del) during boot-up. Ensure that the device is enabled in the BIOS and the correct settings are selected. 5. **Software conflict**: Some applications or antivirus software may interfere with the device's operation. Temporarily disable your antivirus or other recently installed software and try again. 6. **Hardware failure**: If the above steps don't resolve the issue, the device itself might be faulty. Test it on another computer, or consider getting it repaired or replaced. 7. **Windows Update or System Restore**: If the problem occurred after a recent Windows update, consider performing a System Restore to a point before the update. Remember to restart your computer after making changes to see if they take effect. If you're still unable to find the device, consult the device's user manual or contact the manufacturer's technical support for further assistance.

You can resolve the "requested system device cannot be found" error using the following procedure:

Step 1. Access the BIOS/UEFI settings.

Step 2. Verify and adjust the boot device or partition settings to ensure the system device is recognized.

3. How do you fix BCD from the Command Prompt?

Repairing BCD from the command prompt is quick and effective. Follow the instructions , and you can repair BCD easily. Translating this sentence into English results in: Repairing BCD from the command prompt is fast and efficient. Adhere to the instructions, and you can easily fix BCD.

Step 1. Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) using a Windows installation media.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt, execute the 'bootrec /fixmbr,' 'bootrec /fixboot,' 'bootrec /scanos,' and 'bootrec /rebuildbcd' commands to repair the BCD.