Because the BCD or Boot Configuration Data file is one of the major elements that is essential to boot Windows 10 normally, it is important to create its backup copy and keep it at a safe place on your PC.
Where backing up the BCD file is easy and can be done from within Windows itself, you’ll most likely need to restore it when Windows fails to boot correctly. In such a case, you must start your PC in Command Prompt, and then use the required commands to restore the file back.
Here’s how you can backup and restore the BCD file in Windows 10:
Back Up BCD File
Type BCDEDIT /EXPORT E:\BACKUP_BCD.BCD and press Enter. This backs up the BCD file to the E:\ drive. You can replace E: with any other drive present on your PC. You can even use any name of your preference instead of BACKUP_BCD as long as the name has .BCD as its extension.
Note: Optionally you can go to the drive you backed up the BCD file to and confirm if the backup was successful.
Restore BCD File
Type EXIT in the Command Prompt window, press Enter, and click Continue on the Choose an option window. This restarts Windows 10 in normal mode. You can continue using Windows from there.
Where backing up the BCD file is easy and can be done from within Windows itself, you’ll most likely need to restore it when Windows fails to boot correctly. In such a case, you must start your PC in Command Prompt, and then use the required commands to restore the file back.
Here’s how you can backup and restore the BCD file in Windows 10:
Back Up BCD File
- ■Get to elevated Command Prompt
Type CMD in the Cortana search box, right-click Command Prompt from the Best match list, click Run as administrator, and click Yes in the User Account Control confirmation box. This opens the elevated Command Prompt window. This window gives you unrestricted access on your Windows 10 computer, and any command typed here is executed without any obstructions or further intervention.
■Back up the BCD file
Type BCDEDIT /EXPORT E:\BACKUP_BCD.BCD and press Enter. This backs up the BCD file to the E:\ drive. You can replace E: with any other drive present on your PC. You can even use any name of your preference instead of BACKUP_BCD as long as the name has .BCD as its extension.
Note: Optionally you can go to the drive you backed up the BCD file to and confirm if the backup was successful.
Restore BCD File
- ■Get to the automatic repair mode
Power on your computer, and as Windows begins to load the files, press the Reset button. Repeat the process for two more times. After the third time, Windows enters into the automatic repair mode. Here Windows attempts to automatically fix any booting issues. Many times the booting problems are fixed in this mode.
■Get to the Command Prompt window
Click Advanced options on the Automatic Repair window, click Troubleshoot, click Advanced options, and click Command Prompt. This opens the Command Prompt window. Here you can enter the commands to troubleshoot Windows’ errors.
■Confirm the BCD file’s presence
Type the drive letter you believe contains the BCD file (E: for this example), press Enter, type DIR, and press Enter again. This displays all the contents of the drive. Notice and confirm if the BCD file you backed up earlier is present in the list.
■Restore the BCD file
Type BCDEDIT /IMPORT E:\BACKUP_BCD.BCD and press Enter. This restores back the BCD file. Any inconsistencies that the BCD file had would be removed as it is replaced by this backed up, error-free BCD file. If you backed the BCD file to a different drive and/or with a different name, you can use that path and name instead of E:\BACKUP_BCD.BCD.
■Reboot the computer
Type EXIT in the Command Prompt window, press Enter, and click Continue on the Choose an option window. This restarts Windows 10 in normal mode. You can continue using Windows from there.
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