The Boot Configuration Data (BCD Editor) store is a crucial part of the Windows operating system that contains boot configuration parameters and controls how the operating system is started of a Computer. These parameters were previously in the Boot.ini file (in BIOS, Basic Input Output System – based operating systems) or in the non-volatile RAM entries (in UEFI, Unified Extensible Firmware Interface – based operating systems). It is used by the Windows Boot Manager (Bootmgr) to load the operating system.

Here’s a brief overview of the BCD Editor and its components:

BCD Editor Details

Location:

• The BCD editor is typically located in the \Boot folder on the system partition, which is usually the active partition where Windows is installed.
• The file itself is named BCD, and it is a binary file with no file extension.

BCD Editor:

• Command-line Tool: bcdedit is the command-line tool used to view and edit the BCD editor. You run it from Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
• GUI Tool: While Windows does not have a built-in graphical BCD editor, third-party tools can provide a GUI for easier management.

BCD Entries:

• Boot Loader Entries: These entries define the boot loaders for various operating systems or boot applications.
• Boot Manager Entries: These include settings for the Windows Boot Manager itself, such as the default OS to boot and timeout settings.
• Device Entries: These specify the device locations of the OS loader files.

Common Commands with bcd editor:

• List Entries: bcdedit /v – Displays detailed information about all BCD entries.
• Add a Boot Entry: bcdedit /copy {identifier} /d “Description” – Copies an existing entry and creates a new one with a custom description.
• Set Default Entry: bcdedit /default {identifier} – Sets the default boot entry.
• Delete an Entry: bcdedit /delete {identifier} – Removes a specified boot entry.
• Repair BCD Store: Sometimes used in recovery scenarios where the BCD store might be corrupted.

Some Common Application of BCD File Editor:

Firstly, open the Command line (CMD) interface-

Type “bcdedit” in cmd to know the current status of BCD Editor of Windows and press “Enter”

Copy the Current Boot Loader of the Windows 11 Operating System:

• Run command prompt (cmd) as administrator 

• bcdedit /copy {current} /d “windows 10” -> Enter

Change the Current Description Name as your Wish of Windows Boot Loader:

• Run command prompt (cmd) as administrator 

• bcdedit  /set   {GUID} or {Identifier}  description  “windows 7”  -> Enter

Display order change of Windows Boot Loader :  

• Run command prompt (cmd) as administrator
• bcdedit  /displayorder  {GUID} or {Identifier} /addlast  or   /addfirst  -> Enter

Setting default of Windows Boot Loader:

• Run command prompt(cmd) as administrator
• bcdedit   /default   {GUID} or {Identifier} ->  Enter

Delete Command of the Windows Boot Loader:  

• Run command prompt(cmd) as administrator
• bcdedit   /delete   {GUID} or {Identifier} -> Enter  

Set a Bootable Physical Drive entry to Boot Manager:

• Run command prompt (cmd) as administrator 
• bcdedit   /copy   {current} or {Identifier}  /d   “Windows 10 ” -> Enter
• bcdedit   /set   {GUID} or {Identifier} device  partition=D:  -> Enter
• bcdedit   /set   {GUID} or {Identifier} osdevice  partition=D:  -> Enter
• bcdedit   /set   {GUID} or {Identifier}  detecthal  on  -> Enter

Set a Bootable VHD entry to Boot Manager:

• Run command prompt (cmd) as administrator 
• bcdedit   /copy   {current} or {Identifier}  /d   “Windows 10  vhd” -> Enter
• bcdedit   /set   {GUID} or {Identifier} device  vhd=”[D:]\filename.vhd” -> Enter
• bcdedit   /set   {GUID} or {Identifier} osdevice  vhd=”[D:]\filename.vhd” -> Enter
• bcdedit   /set   {GUID} or {Identifier} detecthal  on  -> Enter

Install an Operating System to a VHD file:

• Start the normal installation process -> Go to the partitioning page
• Press -> Shift + F10
• Write in command prompt(cmd):
  • diskpart -> Enter
  • select vdisk file=”[D:]\Windows 7.vhd” -> Enter
  • attach vdisk -> Enter
  • exit -> Enter
  • exit -> Enter
• Refresh the partitioning page -> Click Refresh
• You will see Virtual Hard Disk below -> press vhd -> Next

So, your installation of OS in vhd is running.

Structure of BCD Editor:

• The BCD editor is structured in a hierarchical manner, with various data elements organized in a tree-like format. Each entry can have several properties, such as a description, device path, and the path to the boot loader.

Backup and Repair BCD Editor:

• It’s important to back up the BCD file editor before making significant changes. You can use tools like bcdedit to export the current BCD configuration to a file: bcdedit /export C:\bcdbackup.
• To repair or rebuild the BCD store, tools like the Windows installation media can be used to access recovery options and run commands like bootrec /rebuildbcd.

Understanding and managing the BCD store of an operating system of a Computer can be crucial for troubleshooting boot issues or configuring multi-boot systems. If you’re not familiar with command-line tools or BCD editing, it’s advisable to proceed with caution or seek help to avoid making changes that could prevent Windows from booting correctly.

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