Introduction

BCD file, or Boot Configuration Data file, is a boot configuration data storage format used by Windows operating systems. BCD file contains information necessary for the operating system to boot, similar to the boot.ini file used by earlier versions of Windows. It is stored in the EFI boot manager configuration file in the EFI system partition (ESP) (for EFI systems) or in the system reserved partition (for MBR systems).

Boot problems can be caused by a variety of reasons, including corruption or loss of boot configuration data (BCD) files, boot sector corruption, system update failure, virus attacks, or other software conflicts, which seriously affect our work and life. Fortunately, the Boot Repair tool in AOMEI Partition Assistant can help you easily and effectively fix the system boot issue.

The "Boot Repair" feature specializes in repairing damaged or missing BCD files. It offers users a simple and efficient solution to help users quickly restore their computer's normal boot function.

Common usage scenarios:
The system fails to boot: Error messages such as "Boot Configuration Data file is missing" or "Boot Configuration Data file is corrupted" are displayed. ".
Boot failure after update: After the system update or upgrade, the boot configuration is corrupted.
Multi-system boot conflict: Conflict or misconfiguration of boot configuration files in multi-OS environment.
Boot sector corruption: Boot sector corruption due to virus attacks or other reasons.

How to Repair System Boot in AOMEI Partition Assistant

With the Boot Repair tool, you can repair system issues on the currently running PC. And, you can also connect another PC's system drive to the PC with Partition Assistant installed to repair. Furthermore, you can create a bootable media so you can use it to boot an unbootable PC into WinPE to repair the unbootable system.

Before you do

• Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant on a Windows computer.
• If you want to repair the boot for a PC that won't boot, please attach a USB flash drive or insert a blank CD/DVD into your computer. If you do not have a USB or CD/DVD, AOMEI Partition Assistant also enables you to create a bootable WinPE ISO file, which can be used to boot your virtual machines or burned to other devices.

This tool is very useful for you to repair system boot issues. If you would like to use this feature, please upgrade to a paid version of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, Server, or above versions.

Note: Windows system versions below Windows Vista are not supported. All other Windows systems are supported.

How to Repair Boot on a Working PC

In the below scenarios, you can directly use the boot repair tool on a working PC in Windows:

1. A PC can boot but get some boot issues sometimes.

2. The PC cannot boot from the cloned drive after a system/disk clone with some cloning programs.

3. You want to save the system boot entries on another disk.

Step 1: Select Boot Repair 

1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. In the Main Tab, please click the "Recover" tab and select "Boot Repair".

Step 2: Scan System Boot Entries

The Boot Repair tool will pop up. Please click "Next" to start the system’s boot entries scan process.

Step 3: Check System Boot Entries Result

After the process is completed, it will display the scan result: system paths, system versions, and boot status. And, all repairable boot entries will be available to select.

Advanced Options

Select a location to store the repaired boot entry.

Repair to the current disk: The system will boot from the current disk and ensure the boot files are complete and functioning properly. (By default)

Repair to another disk: This operation will repair the boot entry or create a new system boot entry to ensure the system can boot from the disk you select.

You can either repair to the current disk or repair to another disk. Repair to the current disk is recommended for common users.

Step 4: Select Repairable Boot Entries to Repair

Select one/multiple repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the "Repair" button to start the boot repair.

Step 5: Repair Successfully

Wait for the repair process to finish. Once it is finished, you can check the repair result. If it succeeds, you will get a "Repair Successfully" result.

How to Repair Boot for PC that Won't Boot

In the following situations, you might need to first create a WinPE bootable media on a working PC with Partition Assistant installed and then use the bootable media to boot into WinPE to use the boot repair tool:

1. A computer, especially a Laptop, cannot boot into Windows with some boot errors, such as "Boot Configuration Data file is missing" or "Boot Configuration Data file is corrupted" are displayed.

2. After system update/image recovery, the boot configuration is corrupted, which causes the computer to be unbootable.

Step 1: Create a Bootable Disk

Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant on a working PC, click "Recover"-"Boot Repair" and then click the "create a bootable disk" option to create a WinPE "Boot Repair" disk. (You can also directly click "Tools"-"Make Bootable Media" to create a WinPE bootable media.)

Step 2: Boot the Unbootable PC into WinPE 

Boot the PC that cannot boot into WinPE. It will automatically load the Boot Repair tool and start the boot entries scan process. All boot entries will be displayed.

Step 3: Select Repairable Boot Entries to Repair

Select the repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the "Repair" button to start the repair.

Step 4: Repair Successfully and Reboot

Once the repair is successful, you can remove the bootable disk and boot the PC from the original system drive.

Conclusion

Following the above steps, you can use the "Boot Repair" tool in AOMEI Partition Assistant to easily repair computer system boot issues for both a local PC and another PC that won't boot. It is very convenient for your work and life.

AOMEI Partition Assistant also offers other useful tools, for example, data recovery and partition recovery, which will help you recover your important data and partitions.

 

FAQs

Q: Why the disk cannot be chosen to repair and the repair button is grayed out?

A: The drive might be BitLocker encrypted. Please first turn off BitLocker encryption in Windows or AOMEI Partition Assistant and then retry.

Q: Can I use the Boot Repair tool to fix the Windows XP system?

A: No, currently Windows XP system is not supported.

Q: What can I do if the repair is unsuccessful, or the repair result is successful,l but the PC still cannot boot?

A: It might not be successful on the first attempt. In this case, please feel free to use the boot repair tool to repair the boot again.