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Boot Configuration Data File Invalid OS Error Fix

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

This error means Windows cannot read the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, so it doesn’t know which operating system to start. You’ll typically see it as a blue screen with the message “Boot configuration data file doesn’t contain valid information for an operating system” (error code 0xc0000098) during startup. The fix usually involves rebuilding the BCD using Windows Recovery Environment tools like bootrec or bcdedit.

What Is the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Store?

The BCD store is a database file (named BCD, located in the \Boot folder on the system partition) that contains boot-time parameters for Windows. It replaced the older boot.ini file starting with Windows Vista. The store includes entries for each installed operating system, along with options like boot loader paths, memory settings, and recovery options. When the firmware (BIOS or UEFI) hands control to the Windows Boot Manager (bootmgr), the manager reads the BCD to find the correct boot loader (usually winload.exe or winload.efi). If the BCD is missing, corrupted, or contains an entry pointing to a nonexistent or invalid path, you get the 0xc0000098 error.

What Causes the “Invalid Information” Error?

Several scenarios can trigger this error:

  • Corrupted BCD: Unexpected power loss, a failed Windows update, or disk errors can damage the BCD file.
  • Deleted or renamed boot files: If bootmgr or the BCD file is accidentally moved, renamed, or deleted, the boot process fails.
  • Dual-boot misconfiguration: Installing or removing a Linux distribution (like Ubuntu) can overwrite or modify the BCD, especially if the boot loader (GRUB) is installed to the same partition.
  • Disk partitioning changes: Shrinking, deleting, or formatting the system partition (the small 100-500 MB partition that holds the BCD) will make the boot manager unable to locate the store.
  • BIOS/UEFI settings: Switching between UEFI and Legacy (CSM) boot modes without properly reinstalling the boot files can cause the BCD to be unreadable.
  • Malware or third-party tools: Some bootkit malware or misused disk utilities can corrupt the BCD.

How to Fix the Error: Rebuild the BCD

You’ll need a Windows installation media (USB or DVD) or access to the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Here are the steps to rebuild the BCD:

  1. Boot from the Windows installation media. Insert the USB/DVD and restart your PC. Press the appropriate key (often F12, F2, Esc, or Del) to open the boot menu and select the media.
  2. Choose your language and click “Next”. Then click “Repair your computer” in the bottom-left corner.
  3. Select “Troubleshoot” → “Advanced options” → “Command Prompt”.
  4. In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
    • bootrec /fixmbr – repairs the master boot record (for BIOS systems) or the GPT protective MBR (for UEFI systems).
    • bootrec /fixboot – writes a new boot sector to the system partition.
    • bootrec /rebuildbcd – scans all drives for Windows installations and prompts you to add them to the BCD.
  5. If the rebuild command reports that the store is corrupt, you can back up and recreate it manually:
    • ren C:\Boot\BCD BCD.old (rename the existing BCD; adjust the drive letter if needed – often the system partition is not C:, so check with diskpart or dir).
    • bootrec /rebuildbcd again.
  6. Alternatively, use bcdedit to create a new store: bcdedit /createstore C:\Boot\BCD and then import it with bcdedit /import C:\Boot\BCD. This is more advanced and requires manually adding boot entries.
  7. After the commands complete, type exit and restart your PC.

When to Use Startup Repair Instead

Windows includes a Startup Repair tool that can automatically diagnose and fix boot problems. It’s often the easiest first step, especially if you’re not comfortable with the command line. To run it:

  1. Boot from installation media or access the Recovery Environment (if it appears automatically after a failed boot).
  2. Go to “Troubleshoot” → “Advanced options” → “Startup Repair”.
  3. Select your operating system and let the tool run. It will attempt to fix the BCD and other boot issues automatically.

If Startup Repair fails, then proceed with the manual bootrec commands. Note that Startup Repair may not always work if the BCD is severely corrupted or if the system partition is missing entirely.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

  • Running bootrec from within Windows: You must run these commands from the Recovery Environment, not from a normal Command Prompt in Windows, because the system partition is often locked.
  • Using the wrong drive letter: The system partition (where the BCD lives) is often not C:. Use diskpart to list volumes and identify the 100-500 MB FAT32 or NTFS partition. For example: diskpart → list volume → note the letter, then exit. Then use that letter in commands like dir E:\Boot.
  • Forgetting to run bootrec /fixboot on UEFI systems: On UEFI systems, the boot sector is not used the same way, but fixboot still helps recreate the BCD if it’s missing.
  • Not backing up the BCD before editing: If you manually recreate the store, you might lose existing entries (like other OSes). Always rename the old BCD first.

Preventing Future BCD Corruption

  • Always shut down Windows properly – avoid hard power-offs.
  • Keep your system partition healthy – run chkdsk /f on the system drive periodically.
  • Be cautious when resizing partitions – use Windows Disk Management or a reliable third-party tool, and back up the BCD first.
  • If you dual-boot with Linux, install GRUB to the Linux partition and use Windows Boot Manager as the primary loader, or use a tool like EasyBCD (but be aware that third-party tools can also cause issues if misused).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my files if I rebuild the BCD?

No, rebuilding the BCD only affects boot configuration files. Your personal files, documents, and installed programs remain untouched. However, if you have to reinstall Windows entirely, you would lose files unless you back them up first.

Can I fix this without installation media?

If you have a recovery drive or the Windows Recovery Environment is installed on your hard drive, you can access the Command Prompt from there. On some systems, pressing F11 or a manufacturer-specific key during startup opens recovery options. If neither is available, you will need to create a bootable USB on another computer.

What if bootrec /rebuildbcd says “Total identified Windows installations: 0”?

This means the tool couldn’t find a Windows installation on any drive. This can happen if the Windows partition is not visible or is corrupted. Check that the drive is properly connected and that the partition has a valid Windows directory (look for Windows\System32\winload.exe). You may need to assign a drive letter to the partition using diskpart and then run bootrec again.

Is this error the same as “Bootmgr is missing”?

No, they are different but related. “Bootmgr is missing” means the boot manager itself cannot be found, while the 0xc0000098 error means the boot manager is present but the BCD it reads is invalid. Both are fixed with similar methods, but bootrec /fixboot is more directly targeted at the BCD issue.

Can a failing hard drive cause this error?

Yes, bad sectors or failing hardware can corrupt the BCD. If you repeatedly get this error after rebuilding, run a disk health check (like chkdsk /r or a manufacturer’s diagnostic tool). If the drive is failing, you’ll need to replace it and restore from a backup.

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