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Ultimate Guide: Manual BCD Rebuild for Windows Devices That Won’t Boot

Introduction: Encountering booting issues on your Windows device can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to manually rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) and resolve the problem. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of using the Windows 10 installation media to rebuild the BCD and get your device up and running again.

Disclaimer: Manipulating system files and configurations carries a level of risk. It’s crucial to follow the instructions carefully and take a backup of your important data before proceeding. If you’re uncomfortable performing these steps on your own, it’s recommended to seek professional assistance.

Requirements: Windows 10 Installation Media If you do not have a Windows install disk learn how to make one here

Step 1: Booting from the Windows 10 Installation Media

  1. Insert the Windows 10 installation media (DVD or USB) into your PC.
  2. Restart your computer and make sure it boots from the installation media. You may need to adjust your boot order settings in the BIOS or use a specific key (such as F12 or Esc) to bring up the boot menu and select the media.

Step 2: Accessing Repair Options

  1. Once the Windows Setup screen appears, select your language preferences and click “Next.”
  2. Click on “Repair your computer” located at the bottom left corner of the screen.
  3. In the next screen, select “Troubleshoot.”

Step 3: Opening the Command Prompt

  1. From the Troubleshoot menu, choose “Command Prompt.” This will open a Command Prompt window with administrative privileges.

Step 4: Identifying the EFI and Windows Volumes

  1. In the Command Prompt, type diskpart and press Enter. This will launch the DiskPart utility.
  2. Type list volume and press Enter to display a list of all available volumes.
  3. Identify the volume that corresponds to the EFI partition. It will be formatted as FAT32 and approximately 100MB in size. Make a note of its volume number.
  4. Identify the volume that contains the Windows installation. Take note of its volume number as well.

Step 5: Formatting the EFI Partition

  1. Still in the Command Prompt, type select volume <EFI_volume_number> and press Enter. Replace <EFI_volume_number> with the volume number of the EFI partition you noted earlier.
  2. Type assign letter=V: and press Enter. This assigns the drive letter V: to the EFI partition.
  3. Type exit and press Enter to exit DiskPart.
  4. Type V: and press Enter to navigate to the V: drive, representing the EFI partition.
  5. Once you’re in the V: drive, type format V: /FS:FAT32 and press Enter. Confirm the formatting process when prompted. This will format the EFI partition.

Step 6: Rebuilding the BCD

  1. After the EFI partition is formatted, type bcdboot C:\windows /s V: /f UEFI and press Enter. This command rebuilds the BCD and points it to the Windows installation.
  2. Wait for the process to complete.

Step 7: Restarting the Computer

  1. Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt.
  2. Shut down your computer.
  3. Power on your computer and check if it starts normally.

Conclusion: By following this step-by-step guide, you can manually rebuild the BCD using the Windows 10 installation media. Remember to exercise caution and back up your important data before proceeding. If you’re uncertain or uncomfortable with the process, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance. With a successful BCD rebuild, your Windows device should boot up properly, allowing you to resume normal usage.