AOMEI Partition Assistant
How to Fix Windows 7 EFI Microsoft Boot BCD Error
When Windows 7 has EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD error, what can you do? In this post, we prepare 4 ways to help you fix this error with detailed steps.
By Lucas / Updated on November 1, 2024
What is EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD error?
The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is a firmware-independent database that stores boot-time configuration settings for Microsoft’s Windows Boot Manager, which replaces the previous boot.ini used by NTLDR. The BCD is saved in a data file located at \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD on the EFI system partition for UEFI boot or at /boot/bcd on the active partition for traditional BIOS boot.
When a computer encounters a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death), some users may see an error message that states, “Recovery: Your PC needs to be repaired. The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors. File: \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD Error code: 0xc0000034.”
Why the error “EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD” happens?
The “EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD” error typically arises due to issues in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD), which is essential for system boot processes. Here are some of the common causes and brief explanations:
1. Corrupted or Missing BCD File: A BCD file can become corrupt from sudden shutdowns, software conflicts, or malware. When the BCD is damaged, Windows cannot find the data needed to load the OS, leading to a boot error.
2. Corrupted EFI Partition: The EFI partition, which stores the boot files for UEFI systems, can be compromised if the file system is damaged, sometimes appearing as “RAW” instead of FAT32. This can prevent the boot files from being read correctly.
3. System Updates or Windows Installations: During OS upgrades or major updates, boot files might fail to update correctly, especially if an interrupted installation or power failure occurs. This can leave the BCD misconfigured, resulting in boot errors.
4. Accidental Modification of Boot Configuration: Changes in system settings, like altering partition structures or using third-party boot managers, may alter or remove critical boot configuration files, disrupting the standard boot process.
To address this, tools like bootrec and bcdedit can rebuild or repair the BCD and restore the system boot order. You may also need to assign or format the EFI partition if it becomes inaccessible or incorrect, which can be done through DiskPart in the command prompt if the EFI volume shows issues like incorrect drive letters or a "RAW" file system.
4 ways to fix Windows 7 EFI Microsoft Boot BCD error
After we’ve learned why EFI Microsoft Boot BCD 0xc0000034/0xc00000d error appearing on Windows 7, in this part, we will focus on how to solve the problems this error lead to. But you need to prepare Windows 7 Installation Media at first.
Way 1. Bootrec.exe to fix EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD
Step 1. Insert the Windows installation Media into the computer and then boot the PC, press F8 key when you are prompted.
Step 2. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard, click Next. On the setup window, click Repair your computer.
Step 3. Choose the operating system you want to repair and click Next.
Step 4. Go to Troubleshoot>Advanced options>Command Prompt to execute the following commands:
- Bootrec /fixmbr
- Bootrec /fixboot
- Bootrec /scanos
- Bootrec /rebuildbcd
Way 2. Run Startup Repair to fix EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD error
Step 1. Boot from the Windows 7 installation media like the steps in Way 1, and click Repair your computer.
Step2. Choose Startup Repair on the System Recovery Options window.
Way 3. Try third-party boot repair tool to fix Windows 7 EFI Microsoft Boot BCD error
If you can’t find a Windows 7 Installation Media or don’t want to use CMD, a reliable boot repair tool can also help you. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is an effective disk manager with a straightforward "Boot Repair" feature. With a few steps, it can effortlessly resolve BCD-related issues, enabling you to resolve boot problems and restore your system to its standard functionality. It is an excellent choice for both novice and seasoned users. It can resolve various problems, including different error codes in Windows, boot failure after an update, multi-system startup conflicts, and boot sector corruption.
100% SecureStep 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant on a working PC, click "Recovr"-"Boot Repair" and then click the "create a bootable disk" option to create a WinPE "Boot Repair" disk.
Step 2. Plug the bootable disk you created into the target computer you wish to repair the boot issue.
Step 3. You need to enter BIOS and choose the bootable disk as the boot drive to access AOMEI Partition Assistant after the system boot.
Step 4. The PC that cannot boot into WinPE will automatically load the Boot Repair tool and start the boot entries scan process. All boot entries will be displayed.
Step 5. Then, you can see all boot entries on the interface. Select the repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the Repair button.
Step 6. Remove the bootable USB drive and boot the PC from the original system drive.
Way 4. Rebuild MBR via boot repair tool
AOMEI Partition Assistant can also help you rebuild MBR when your Windows meets troubles during the boot process.
Step 1. Put the USB flash drive to your Windows, boot into AOMEI Partition Assistant.
Step 2. Right-click the system disk and select Rebuild MBR.
Step 3. Choose the MBR type for your Windows operating system. Hit OK.
Then, click Apply to execute the function.
To sum up
Hope this post will help you fix Windows 7 EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD error. AOMEI Partition Assistant offers many practical functions to help users manage disks and drives. If the boot issues cause data loss, this tool also offers "Recover Data" to help you save your data from disks.
