BCDEDIT - CMD

Overview

BCDEDIT (Boot Configuration Data Editor) is a command-line tool used to manage boot configuration data (BCD) stores in Windows operating systems. This tool is essential for configuring boot options for computers with BIOS and EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) firmware architectures. It is primarily used to edit the boot configuration parameters, add new boot entries, and specify multi-boot and dual-boot settings. You can typically find BCDEDIT useful in scenarios involving setup customization, system recovery, and troubleshooting boot issues.

Syntax

The basic syntax for BCDEDIT is:

bcdedit [/store <filename>] [/enum [<datatype>]] [/<command> [<command_options>]]
  • /store <filename>: Specifies the BCD store to be used. If omitted, the system uses the default system store.
  • /enum [<datatype>]: Lists entries from the BCD store. datatype can be all, firmware, bootmgr (boot manager), etc., which filters the output.
  • <command>: Refers to the operation to be performed, such as /create, /delete, or /set.
  • <command_options>: Options specific to the command in use.

Options/Flags

  • /create: Creates a new entry in the boot configuration data store.
  • /delete: Deletes a specified entry from the boot store.
  • /set: Sets a specified element in a boot entry.
  • /copy: Makes a copy of an existing boot entry.
  • /enum: Lists entries in the boot configuration data store.
  • /v: Enables verbose mode; displays additional details.

Example Flags:

  • /timeout: Specifies the time to wait before the default OS starts.
  • /default: Sets the default boot entry.

Examples

  1. List all Boot Entries:

    bcdedit /enum all

  2. Set the Boot Manager Timeout:

    bcdedit /set {bootmgr} timeout 30

    This command sets the boot manager timeout to 30 seconds.

  3. Create a New Boot Entry:

    bcdedit /copy {current} /d "New Entry"
bcdedit /set {new_guid} path \windows\system32\winload.exe

    Replace {new_guid} with the output received from the copy command.

Common Issues

  • Permission Issues: Ensure you run CMD as Administrator to avoid permission errors.
  • Incorrect GUID: Mistyping the GUID can lead to issues. Always copy and paste it correctly.
  • Unbootable Configurations: Incorrectly configuring certain settings can render your system unbootable. Always back up current settings using /export before making changes.

Integration

BCDEDIT can be integrated with other Windows tools like diskpart and scripting languages (e.g., PowerShell) for advanced boot management:

  • Automate boot entry manipulation via scripts.
  • Combine with chkdsk or sfc for system recovery.

Example Script:

bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled No
chkdsk C: /f

This script configures the system to not look for recovery partitions and performs a check disk on the C drive.

  • Bootrec.exe: Tool for rebuilding BCD.
  • Diskpart: A command-line disk partitioning utility.
  • System Configuration (msconfig): A graphical tool for modifying boot settings.

For further information and detailed documentation, refer to the official Microsoft documentation: BCDEdit Technical Reference.