Fix Error 0xc0000225: Boot Configuration Data Missing (Windows 10/11)

Understanding Error 0xc0000225

What Is Boot Configuration Data (BCD)?

Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is a firmware-independent database that replaced the traditional boot.ini file starting with Windows Vista. It contains boot configuration parameters that tell the Windows Boot Manager:

• Where Windows is installed: Which disk and partition contains Windows files
• Which bootloader to use: Location of winload.exe (Windows Boot Loader)
• Boot options: Safe Mode, debugging settings, display settings
• Multi-boot configuration: If multiple operating systems are installed
• Boot order: Which OS to boot first in dual-boot systems

When BCD files are corrupted, missing, or contain errors, Windows Boot Manager cannot proceed with the boot process, resulting in error 0xc0000225.

Common Error Messages Associated with 0xc0000225:

• "Your PC needs to be repaired" - Main error screen heading
• "The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors" - Description of problem
• "File: \Boot\BCD" - Indicates which file is problematic
• "Error code: 0xc0000225" - Specific error code
• "A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed" - Alternative message when drive not detected
• "An unexpected error has occurred" - Generic variant of the error

What Causes Error 0xc0000225?

• Windows Update gone wrong (30%): Update interrupted during installation, corrupting boot files
• Improper shutdown (25%): Power loss, forced shutdown during critical operations
• Disk errors and bad sectors (20%): Physical hard drive issues corrupting BCD
• Failed system changes (10%): Registry edits, bootloader modifications, dual-boot attempts
• Malware or virus (8%): Malicious software corrupting boot sector
• Hardware changes (7%): Disconnected drive, replaced HDD/SSD, loose cables

Method 1: Run Automatic Startup Repair (Easiest Fix)

Startup Repair is Windows' built-in automatic diagnostic and repair tool that can detect and fix most boot-related issues including BCD corruption. Success rate: 60-70%.

1. Access Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):
   • Method 1 - Interrupt boot 3 times: Turn on PC, when Windows logo appears, hold power button to force shutdown. Repeat 3 times. On 4th boot, Windows automatically enters WinRE
   • Method 2 - Use Windows installation media: Insert Windows USB/DVD, boot from it, select language, click "Repair your computer" instead of "Install now"
   • Method 3 - Use recovery drive: Boot from previously created USB recovery drive
2. Navigate to Startup Repair:
   • In WinRE screen, click Troubleshoot
   • Click Advanced options
   • Click Startup Repair (or Automatic Repair)
3. Select your account:
   • Choose your Windows administrator account
   • Enter password if prompted
4. Wait for diagnosis and repair:
   • Tool scans for boot issues (takes 5-15 minutes)
   • Automatically attempts repairs on detected issues
   • May restart PC multiple times during process
5. Possible outcomes:
   • "Startup Repair couldn't fix your PC" - Repair failed, try Method 2
   • "Your PC was repaired successfully" - Restart and check if Windows boots
   • PC restarts automatically - Check if error 0xc0000225 is resolved
6. If successful: Windows should boot normally to login screen
7. If unsuccessful: Proceed to Method 2 (Manual BCD rebuild)

Method 2: Rebuild BCD Manually Using Command Prompt

Manually rebuilding the Boot Configuration Data recreates the BCD store from scratch, fixing corruption. Success rate: 85-90%.

1. Access Command Prompt in WinRE:
   • Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (see Method 1)
   • Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt
2. Run bootrec /fixmbr:
   • Type: bootrec /fixmbr
   • Press Enter
   • This repairs the Master Boot Record
   • You should see: "The operation completed successfully"
3. Run bootrec /fixboot:
   • Type: bootrec /fixboot
   • Press Enter
   • Writes new boot sector to system partition
   • Success message: "The operation completed successfully"
   • Note: If you get "Access is denied" error, see additional steps below
4. Run bootrec /rebuildbcd:
   • Type: bootrec /rebuildbcd
   • Press Enter
   • Command scans all disks for Windows installations
   • Message: "Scanning all disks for Windows installations..."
   • If Windows installation found, message: "Add installation to boot list? Yes(Y)/No(N)/All(A)"
   • Type Y and press Enter
   • Success message: "The operation completed successfully"
5. If rebuildbcd finds 0 Windows installations:
   • BCD may be severely corrupted
   • Try complete BCD backup and rebuild (see Method 3)
6. Close Command Prompt:
   • Type: exit
   • Press Enter
7. Restart computer:
   • Click "Continue" to exit WinRE and boot Windows
   • Windows should now boot normally

Fix "Access is denied" Error When Running bootrec /fixboot:

1. This error occurs on UEFI systems with Secure Boot enabled
2. Identify boot partition:
   • In Command Prompt, type: diskpart
   • Type: list volume
   • Identify EFI system partition (usually 100-500 MB, FAT32 format)
   • Note its volume number (e.g., Volume 2)
3. Assign drive letter to EFI partition:
   • Type: select volume 2 (replace 2 with your EFI volume number)
   • Type: assign letter=Z:
   • Type: exit to close diskpart
4. Navigate to EFI partition and rebuild BCD manually:
   • Type: cd /d Z:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\
   • Type: bootrec /fixboot
   • Should now work without "Access denied" error

Method 3: Complete BCD Backup, Delete, and Rebuild

If rebuildbcd finds 0 installations or BCD is severely corrupted, backup old BCD, delete it, and rebuild completely. Success rate: 80-85%.

1. Open Command Prompt in WinRE (see Method 2, Step 1)
2. Backup existing BCD (safety measure):
   • Type: bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
   • Press Enter
   • This creates backup of current BCD in C: drive
3. Change to BCD directory:
   • Type: cd /d C:\boot
   • Press Enter
4. Set attributes to allow modification:
   • Type: attrib BCD -s -h -r
   • Removes system, hidden, read-only attributes from BCD file
5. Rename old BCD file:
   • Type: ren BCD BCD.old
   • Press Enter
   • Renames corrupted BCD to BCD.old
6. Rebuild new BCD from scratch:
   • Type: bootrec /rebuildbcd
   • Press Enter
   • Command scans for Windows installations
   • When prompted "Add installation to boot list?", type Y
   • New clean BCD is created
7. Exit and restart:
   • Type: exit
   • Restart PC
   • Windows should boot successfully

Method 4: Check and Fix BIOS Boot Order Settings

Incorrect BIOS boot order can cause Windows drive to be unrecognized, triggering 0xc0000225. Success rate: 40-50% (hardware-related cases).

1. Enter BIOS/UEFI Settings:
   • Restart computer
   • Immediately press BIOS key repeatedly (usually F2, F10, F12, or Del)
   • Key varies by manufacturer:
     • Dell: F2 or F12
     • HP: F10 or Esc
     • Lenovo: F2 or F1
     • ASUS: F2 or Del
     • Acer: F2 or Del
2. Navigate to Boot settings:
   • Look for Boot tab or menu
   • Find Boot Order or Boot Priority section
3. Check if Windows drive is listed:
   • Your HDD/SSD with Windows should be visible (e.g., "Samsung SSD 870 EVO", "WDC WD10EZEX")
   • If drive NOT visible: Hardware issue—check connections (Method 8)
   • If drive visible but not first: Proceed to next step
4. Set Windows drive as first boot device:
   • Select your Windows HDD/SSD
   • Use + or - keys (or F5/F6) to move it to top of boot order
   • Ensure it's above USB drives, CD/DVD drives, network boot
5. Check Secure Boot settings (UEFI systems):
   • Find Secure Boot option (usually in Boot or Security tab)
   • If set to "Enabled" and causing issues, try setting to Disabled
   • Note: Only disable Secure Boot if necessary; it provides security benefits
6. Check Boot Mode:
   • Ensure Boot Mode matches Windows installation:
     • UEFI - for Windows installed in UEFI mode (GPT partition)
     • Legacy/CSM - for Windows installed in Legacy BIOS mode (MBR partition)
   • Mismatch causes boot failure
7. Save and Exit:
   • Press F10 (or look for "Save Changes and Exit" option)
   • Confirm "Yes"
   • PC restarts
   • Check if Windows boots correctly

Method 5: Run Check Disk (CHKDSK) to Repair Disk Errors

Bad sectors or disk errors can corrupt BCD files. CHKDSK scans and repairs disk errors. Success rate: 50-60%.

1. Open Command Prompt in WinRE (Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt)
2. Identify Windows drive letter:
   • In WinRE, drive letters may differ from normal Windows
   • Type: diskpart
   • Type: list volume
   • Identify Windows partition (usually largest volume, NTFS format)
   • Note its drive letter (e.g., C:, D:, or E:)
   • Type: exit to close diskpart
3. Run CHKDSK with repair parameters:
   • Type: chkdsk C: /f /r /x (replace C: with your Windows drive letter)
   • Press Enter
   • Parameters explanation:
     • /f - Fixes errors on the disk
     • /r - Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information
     • /x - Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary
4. Wait for scan completion:
   • Takes 30-90 minutes depending on disk size and errors
   • Shows progress in 5 stages
   • DO NOT interrupt the process
5. Review results:
   • "Windows has made corrections to the file system" - Errors found and fixed
   • "Windows has scanned the file system and found no problems" - No disk errors
   • If errors found and fixed, BCD corruption may be resolved
6. Exit and restart:
   • Type: exit
   • Restart PC
   • Check if error 0xc0000225 is fixed

Method 6: Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted Windows system files can prevent proper booting. SFC and DISM repair corrupted system files. Success rate: 55-65%.

1. Open Command Prompt in WinRE
2. Identify Windows and System Reserved partitions:
   • Type: diskpart
   • Type: list volume
   • Note Windows drive letter (e.g., C:) and System Reserved partition letter
   • Type: exit
3. Run SFC (System File Checker):
   • Type: sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows
   • Replace C: with your Windows drive letter
   • Press Enter
   • Scans and repairs corrupted Windows system files
   • Takes 20-40 minutes
4. Run DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management):
   • Type: DISM /Image:C:\ /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   • Replace C:\ with your Windows drive letter
   • Press Enter
   • Repairs Windows image corruption
   • Takes 15-30 minutes
5. After both complete:
   • Type: exit
   • Restart PC
   • Test if Windows boots

Method 7: Use System Restore to Revert Changes

If error appeared after recent changes (update, software install, registry edit), System Restore reverts Windows to earlier state. Success rate: 70-80% (if restore point exists).

1. Access System Restore in WinRE:
   • Boot into Windows Recovery Environment
   • Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Restore
2. Select user account and enter password (if prompted)
3. Choose restore point:
   • List of available restore points appears with dates
   • Select restore point from BEFORE error 0xc0000225 started appearing
   • Ideally, choose date before recent Windows Update or system changes
   • Click Next
4. Review restore point:
   • Click Scan for affected programs to see what will change
   • Programs installed after restore point date will be removed
   • Personal files (documents, photos) remain untouched
5. Start restoration:
   • Click Finish
   • Confirm with Yes
   • Restoration process begins (15-45 minutes)
   • PC restarts automatically
6. After restart:
   • Windows should boot normally
   • Message: "System Restore completed successfully"
7. If System Restore not available:
   • System Protection may not have been enabled
   • No restore points exist
   • Try other methods

Method 8: Check Hardware Connections (Desktop PCs)

Loose or disconnected SATA cables, failed hard drive, or improperly seated components cause 0xc0000225. Success rate: 30-40% (hardware issues).

1. Power off computer completely and unplug power cable
2. Open computer case:
   • Remove side panel (usually held by 2 screws)
   • Ground yourself to avoid static discharge (touch metal case)
3. Check HDD/SSD connections:
   • Locate your hard drive or SSD
   • Check SATA data cable: Ensure firmly connected to drive and motherboard
   • Check SATA power cable: Ensure firmly connected from power supply to drive
   • Reseat connections: Unplug and replug both cables firmly
4. Listen for drive spin-up:
   • Power on PC (case still open)
   • HDD should make spinning sound when powering on
   • SSD is silent but LED may blink
   • If no sound/activity: Drive may have failed (try different SATA port or cable)
5. Try different SATA port on motherboard:
   • Move SATA data cable to different SATA port
   • Some SATA ports can malfunction
6. Test with different SATA cable:
   • SATA cables can go bad
   • Use known working cable from another drive
7. Check RAM (memory modules):
   • Reseat RAM sticks—press down firmly until clips lock
   • Try booting with one RAM stick at a time
   • Faulty RAM can cause boot errors
8. Close case, reconnect power, restart
9. Check BIOS detection:
   • Enter BIOS (see Method 4)
   • Check if drive is detected in BIOS
   • If detected: Software issue, continue with software fixes
   • If NOT detected: Drive failure—backup data and replace drive

Method 9: Reset or Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

If all other methods fail, resetting or reinstalling Windows fixes any boot configuration issues but requires backup. Success rate: 100% (but time-consuming).

Option A: Reset Windows (Keep Files)

1. Access Reset in WinRE:
   • Boot into Windows Recovery Environment
   • Troubleshoot → Reset this PC
2. Choose reset option:
   • Keep my files - Removes apps and settings but keeps personal files
   • Remove everything - Complete clean slate (backup first!)
3. Select "Keep my files" (recommended for data preservation)
4. Choose reinstallation method:
   • Cloud download - Downloads fresh Windows from Microsoft (requires internet)
   • Local reinstall - Uses existing Windows files on PC
5. Review what will be removed:
   • All installed applications will be removed
   • Settings return to defaults
   • Personal files in Documents, Pictures, Desktop remain intact
6. Click "Reset" to begin process (takes 30-90 minutes)
7. After completion:
   • Windows boots to fresh installation
   • Error 0xc0000225 is completely resolved
   • Reinstall your applications

Option B: Clean Install Windows

1. Create Windows installation media:
   • Download Media Creation Tool from Microsoft website (on working PC)
   • Create bootable USB drive (8GB+ USB required)
2. Boot from installation USB
3. Click "Install now"
4. Enter product key (or skip if Windows was previously activated)
5. Choose "Custom: Install Windows only"
6. Select partition:
   • Keep files: Select Windows partition and click Next (performs upgrade, keeps files)
   • Fresh start: Delete all partitions, let Windows create new ones (BACKUP DATA FIRST!)
7. Install Windows (takes 30-60 minutes)
8. Complete setup:
   • Create user account
   • Configure settings
   • Install drivers
   • Reinstall applications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I fix error 0xc0000225 without losing data?

A: Yes, absolutely. Methods 1-8 in this guide repair boot configuration without touching your personal files. Your documents, photos, videos, and other data remain completely safe during Startup Repair, BCD rebuild, CHKDSK, SFC/DISM, and System Restore processes—these tools only modify boot files and system files, not user data. Only Method 9 (Windows Reset/Reinstall) has risk if you choose "Remove everything" option; even then, "Keep my files" option preserves personal data while fixing boot errors. However, as general best practice before attempting any repairs, if you can access your drive from another PC (connect as external drive) or boot from Linux USB, backing up critical files provides extra safety. The error message "Your PC needs to be repaired" sounds scary but doesn't mean your data is lost—it just means Windows can't find boot configuration to start the operating system; data is still intact on the drive.

Q: What's the difference between 0xc0000225 and 0xc000000f errors?

A: Both are boot configuration errors but have different root causes. Error 0xc0000225 indicates Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is missing, corrupted, or contains errors—the BCD file itself has issues preventing Windows Boot Manager from reading boot configuration. Error 0xc000000f indicates "The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible"—Windows can read BCD but cannot access the device (hard drive, partition) where Windows is installed, often caused by hardware issues, disconnected drives, or corrupt bootloader files (winload.exe). Fix approach differs: 0xc0000225 requires BCD rebuild (bootrec commands), while 0xc000000f often needs Startup Repair, hardware checks, or bootloader repair. However, both can occur from similar causes (failed updates, disk errors) and many repair methods overlap.

Q: I rebuilt BCD but still get 0xc0000225 error. What else can I try?

A: If bootrec /rebuildbcd finds 0 Windows installations or error persists after BCD rebuild, try these advanced steps: (1) Complete BCD deletion and rebuild (Method 3)—backup old BCD, rename it, rebuild from scratch; sometimes partial corruption prevents proper rebuild. (2) Check UEFI vs Legacy BIOS mismatch—if Windows was installed in UEFI mode but BIOS is set to Legacy/CSM (or vice versa), boot fails; ensure Boot Mode in BIOS matches Windows installation type (UEFI for GPT, Legacy for MBR). (3) Repair Master Boot Record separately—run bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot before rebuildbcd. (4) Check for hardware issues—enter BIOS and confirm hard drive is detected; if not, check cables, try different SATA port, test drive on another PC. (5) Run CHKDSK with /r parameter (Method 5)—disk errors may be continuously corrupting BCD. (6) Use DISM and SFC (Method 6)—corrupted Windows system files prevent proper boot even with correct BCD. (7) If all fails, Windows Reset or clean install (Method 9) provides guaranteed fix.

Q: Can I fix this error without Windows installation media or recovery drive?

A: Partially yes, but options are limited. If you can successfully interrupt boot 3 times to trigger Automatic Repair, you access Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) without installation media—from there run Startup Repair (Method 1), System Restore if available (Method 7), or Command Prompt for manual fixes (Methods 2-3). However, if interrupting boot doesn't trigger WinRE, or if WinRE itself is corrupted, you'll need installation media or recovery drive to access repair tools. Creating installation media requires another working PC: download Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft, create bootable USB (8GB+), boot from it, select "Repair your computer." If you don't have another PC available, options include: (1) Ask friend/colleague to create installation USB, (2) Visit library with public computers, (3) Contact PC manufacturer—many include recovery partition with F11/F12 boot option (though 0xc0000225 may prevent access), (4) Professional repair shop has installation media. Prevention tip: Create recovery drive NOW while Windows works (Settings → Recovery → Create recovery drive) for future emergencies.

Q: The error says "File: \Boot\BCD" - why does this file get corrupted?

A: The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file located at \Boot\BCD is critical database storing boot parameters, and gets corrupted from multiple causes: (1) Windows Update failures (most common)—updates modify boot files; if update is interrupted by power loss, forced shutdown, or errors during installation, BCD is left in inconsistent/corrupted state. (2) Improper shutdowns—holding power button, sudden power loss, or forced restart while Windows is writing to BCD corrupts it; Windows continuously updates BCD during operation, so sudden shutdown can catch it mid-write. (3) Disk errors and bad sectors—if bad sector develops in disk location where BCD is stored, file becomes unreadable; hard drive deterioration naturally causes bad sectors over time. (4) Malware or virus—some malicious software specifically targets boot sector and BCD to prevent Windows from starting. (5) Dual-boot modifications gone wrong—manually editing BCD to add Linux or another OS installation, if done incorrectly, corrupts boot configuration. (6) Failed system restore or recovery—if System Restore is interrupted mid-process, BCD can be corrupted. (7) Registry corruption—severe registry corruption can affect boot configuration. The file is usually small (few MB) but absolutely critical; even minor corruption makes Windows unbootable.

Q: After fixing 0xc0000225, Windows boots but some programs don't work. Is this normal?

A: This depends on which repair method you used. If you used Methods 1-6 (Startup Repair, BCD rebuild, CHKDSK, SFC/DISM, BIOS settings, hardware checks), all programs should work normally—these methods only repair boot configuration and system files without affecting installed applications. However, if you used Method 7 (System Restore), programs installed AFTER the restore point date are removed—you'll need to reinstall them; personal files remain but applications must be reinstalled. If you used Method 9 (Windows Reset/Reinstall), all programs are removed by design—you must reinstall everything; only personal files are kept if you chose "Keep my files" option. If programs aren't working after Methods 1-6, possible causes: (1) Corrupted program files—uninstall and reinstall affected programs. (2) Missing Visual C++ Redistributables or .NET Framework—boot issues sometimes damage shared system libraries; download and install Visual C++ Redistributables (2015-2022) and .NET Framework from Microsoft. (3) Driver issues—boot problems can damage drivers; update graphics, audio, chipset drivers from manufacturer websites. (4) Activation issues—some programs with license validation may require reactivation after boot repairs. Run SFC again (sfc /scannow) and DISM to ensure all system files are fully repaired.