Why Rebuildbcd Returns 0 Windows Installation?

The error rebuildbcd 0 Windows Installation will impede you use CMD to rebuild BCD files on your Windows. In this post, you’ll see how to fix the error rebuildbcd 0 on Windows Installation.

Lucas

By Lucas / Updated on October 31, 2024

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Scenario: “bootrec /rebuildbcd” returns 0 Windows installations found

“My Windows 10 laptop won’t boot and I’ve tried auto repair with no success. Now I’m trying to repair my boot configuration following information from the internet and I’m running into a problem. When I use the command bootrec /rebuildbcd, here’s where I run into the problem. It never finds a Windows installation and always returns 0. Now I don’t know how to continue to repair boot on my laptop. Please help me.”

About BOOTREC rebuildbcd commands

The BOOTREC command in Windows Command Prompt is useful for repairing and troubleshooting boot issues. It’s commonly used when a Windows computer cannot start due to bootloader or Master Boot Record (MBR) issues.

▶ bootrec /rebuildbcd: This command scans for installations and, when found, allows you to add them to the BCD store. It’s particularly helpful when Windows won’t start because of a missing or corrupted BCD.

▶ bootrec /fixmbr: This command repairs the MBR of the boot disk. It’s useful when the MBR is corrupted or overwritten, often resolving boot issues without affecting data.

▶ bootrec /fixboot: This command writes a new boot sector to the system partition, which can help if the boot sector is corrupted or incompatible with your current OS version.

▶ bootrec /scanos: This scans all disks for Windows installations not included in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). It can be used to detect and add Windows installations that aren't showing up at boot.

If rebuildbcd command can’t be executed successfully, it might be:
1. If the Boot Configuration Data are corrupted, bootrec may not recognize any installations. Repairing the BCD may sometimes help.
2. The boot partition is misconfigured, especially after resizing or moving partitions, so BOOTREC may not know where to look for the Windows installation.

How to fix rebuildbcd 0 on Windows Installation

Now, let’s see how to fix BCD 0 on Windows Installation.

1. Repair BCD files

If you encounter the message "bootrec /rebuildbcd returns 0 Windows installations found," you will need to execute a few additional commands to resolve this issue and continue the BCD repair process.

Note: You need to prepare a Windows 10 bootable USB.

Step 1. Change BIOS boot order to boot from Windows 10 repair USB and press any key to continue.

Step 2. On the Windows setup page, choose your language preference, and then click Next to continue.

Step 3. Go to Repair your computer -> Advanced Options -> Troubleshoot -> Command Prompt.

Access CMD

Step 4. Type the following commands and hit Enter after each one

  • bcdedit /export c:bcdbackup
  • attrib c:bootbcd -h -r –s
  • ren c:bootbcd bcd.old
  • bootrec /rebuildbcd

Now, if successful, you will see:

  • Successfully scanned Windows installations.
  • Total identified Windows installations: 1
  • [1] C:Windows
  • Add installation to boot list? Yes/No/All:

Step 5. You need to press Y to add the installation to boot list and hit Enter.

Then you will see the “The operation completed successfully” message, which indicates that the BCD rebuild is finished completely.

Now restart your computer and check to see if you can boot normally. Windows should start as expected.

2. Use System Restore

The System Restore points that were established in the previous days can be used to restore your computer to an earlier state using System Restore. Therefore, System Restore is a rapid solution for resolving system-related issues. If you encounter the issue of bootrec/rebuildbcd total identified Windows installations 0, simply attempt to restore your PC using System Restore.

Step 1. Access the bootable USB flash drive that you previously created.

Step 2. Navigate to the "Repair your computer" menu, select "Advanced Options," and then select "Troubleshoot" to access the "Advanced options"

Step 3. Click on "System Restore" on this page and follow the instructions to restore the system to a default state with system restore points.

System restore

3. Try third-party boor repair tool

If the Windows built-in tools can’t help you, you can try AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. A robust Windows repair tool allows consumers manage their hard drives and partitions, and offers repair of certain system boot problems. Only a few clicks will swiftly generate a bootable repair USB to run our strong Boot Repair program, then repair BCD files missing or corrupted problems.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant on a working PC, and connect a USB drive to it.

Step 2. Click Recover > Boot Repair on the main interface.

Boot repair

Step 3. Choose the create a bootable disk option to create a WinPE bootable media.

Create bootable usb

Step 4. You can connect the drive to the computer that cannot function normally. Then enter BIOS to change the boot order to make boot the computer. Once you log in successfully, it will automatically load the Boot Repair tool and start the boot entries scan process.

Boot entry

Step 5. Once the process completes, you can see all boot entries on the interface. Select the repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the Repair button.

WinPE

Step 6. After successful repair, remove the bootable USB drive and boot the PC from the original system drive.

4. Reinstall Windows system

If all the above solutions can't help you, you may have to reinstall your Windows OS.

Step 1. Download Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from the official website.

Step 2. Run the media creation tool as an administrator. Click "Accept" in the "Applicable notices and license terms" window.

LIcense term

Step 3. Tick "Create installation media for another PC" and hit "Next".

Step 4. Select language, architecture, and edition and click on "Next". Select "USB flash drive" in the "Choose which media to use" window and hit "Next".

Step 5. Select your prepared USB flash drive from "Removable drives" and then, press "Next".

Now you can enter BIOS boot order to boot from the USB drive. On the Windows setup page, choose your language preference, and then click Next to continue. Click Install Now.

Install now

You need to enter the license key. You can also click I don’t have a product key to skip it, but you will be required to enter the license key later. Choose the operating system you want to install and click Next. Accept the license terms and click Next.

You will choose one method to reinstall your operating system. Then, follow the guide, you can finish the installation.

Conclusion

Although rebuildbcd is the command that can repair BCD boot files, sometimes, you may meet the error bootrec /rebuildbcd returns 0 and no Windows installations found. If the first two listed methods can't help you, AOMEI Partition Assistant can offer you some help. Of course, if you don't mind, the last choice is to reinstall Windows.

Besides the "Boot Repair" function, AOMEI Partition Assistant also allows users to "Rebuild MBR" under a recovery environment. Also, if the error message on your Windows cause data loss, you can also choose "Recover Data" feature to try to retrieve lost data.

Lucas
Lucas · Staff Editor
I prefer peaceful and quiet life during vacation,but sometimes I watch football match if my favorite club performs brilliantly in that season. And I love reading, painting and calligraphy, thus I send my friends festival handwriting cards every year.