How to Recreate BCD in Windows 10/11 System

Brief overview of BCD files

The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file in Windows is a critical system file that stores information about the boot configuration and startup options for the operating system. BCD files were introduced in Windows Vista and are used to manage and control the boot process in all modern Windows versions, replacing the older boot.ini files.

Tip: For different boot type, BCD is located differently for UEFI boot. The BCD file is located at /EFI/Microsoft/Boot/BCD on the EFI system partition, for BIOS boot, at /boot/BCD on the active partition.

This file contains essential data on the OS boot sequence, available operating systems, and parameters that determine how Windows should boot, including advanced options like Safe Mode.

The "Boot Configuration Data file is missing" error occurs when the BCD file is corrupted, misconfigured, or missing entirely. This issue often arises due to factors like unexpected power loss, disk write errors, or malware.

It can also happen if there’s a hardware issue with the drive or if the boot sector itself is damaged, which can prevent Windows from accessing the necessary data to start the system properly. This error stops the system from booting and requires troubleshooting to regain access to the OS. Also, if the file is damaged, apart from 0xc0000034 error,

How to recreate BCD on Windows 10/11 computer

To recreate or rebuild BCD files, you need to prepare a Windows installation media for your Windows OS.

Method 1. Recreate BCD with Command Prompt

Step 1. Plug the Windows 10 installation media into your computer and boot from it (You need to enter BIOS to change boot order to the media).

Step 2. When you see Windows is loading files…and Starting Windows screens finish, finish the settings of a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method.

Step 3. Click Repair your computer >Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Type the commands below and press Enter after each:

• bootrec.exe /fixmbr
• bootrec.exe /fixboot
• bootrec.exe /scanos
• bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd

Also, you can try to delete damaged BCD files, and rebuild BCD:

• attrib –r –s –h c: \boot\bcd del c: \boot\bcd
• bcdboot c: \windows

Method 2. Active Windows installed partition

Occasionally, the partition where Windows is installed may not be set as active, causing Windows to be unable to boot and displaying the error message "The Boot Configuration Data file is missing some required information." The problem can be resolved by activating the Windows partition.

Step 1. Follow the same steps to enter CMD in Method 1.

Step 2. Type the following commands and press Enter:

• diskpart
• list disk
• select disk # (# is the number of system disk)
• list volume
• select volume # (# is the number of system volume)
• active
• exit

Method 3. Try Startup Repair to repair BCD files

Automatic repair can also fix some boot issues. You can enter Startup Repair when BCD files have errors.

Step 1. Plug the Windows 10 installation media into your computer and boot from it.

Step 2. When you finish the settings of a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method, click Repair your computer >Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair

Alternative to Windows built-in tool to recreate BCD in Windows 10/11

If you don't have any Windows installation media or are inexperienced with CMD tool, do not worry! You can use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, which is a GUI program. It is a comprehensive and powerful tool for managing disks and partitions in Windows 11/10/8/7, allowing you to generate bootable media and rebuild BCD files.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

100% Secure

Step 1. Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant on a working PC and connect a USB drive to it. Launch the software and select Recover > Boot Repair from the top bar.

Step 2. Click the create a bootable disk option to create a WinPE boot USB drive.

Step 3. Connect the newly created drive to the faulty computer and set the USB drive as the primary boot device. This will enable your computer to boot and automatically load the Boot Repair tool to detect all boot issues.

Step 4. Select the repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the Repair button.

Step 5. When the repair is complete, remove the bootable disk and restart the computer from the original system drive.

To sum up

BCD files are essential for the storage and provision of the necessary information required to install the operating system. Your system may be unable to launch properly if it becomes corrupted or misconfigured. In this post offers three efficient solutions for recreating BCD in Windows 10 Also, there is professional software AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can resolve a variety of BCD emoty issues and restore your system to full functionality.