Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: Windows 8.1 boot error

Windows boot error fix guide for Windows 8.1 users.

Quick Answer: Try booting in Safe Mode and then running a System File Checker (SFC) scan to repair corrupted system files.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. 🚀 How to Resolve This Issue
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The error 'The Boot Configuration for your PC is missing or contains errors. File: \EFI\MICROSOFT\BOOT\BCD Error code: 0xc000000f' affects Windows 8.1 users who have installed Linux on a second partition of their hard drive, resulting in an inability to boot into either system. This issue can be frustrating as it prevents access to both operating systems.

The automatic repair feature and manual commands like 'bootrec /fixmbr', 'bootrec /fixboot', and 'bootrec /rebuildbcd' may not resolve the problem due to the locked Windows drive or missing BCD file.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that the Linux installation has corrupted the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file, which is essential for booting Windows. When you installed Linux on a separate partition, it may have overwritten or damaged the BCD file, leading to this issue.
  • Another possible cause is that the Linux installation has locked the Windows drive, preventing the operating system from accessing the BCD file.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Rebuild the BCD and Fix Boot Order

  1. Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type 'bootrec /rebuildbcd'. This command will scan for any corrupted BCD files and attempt to rebuild them. If prompted, select the drive containing Windows (usually D:) and follow the on-screen instructions.
  2. Step 2: Once the BCD is rebuilt, use the 'bootrec /fixmbr' command to fix the master boot record. This step ensures that the MBR points to the correct location of the BCD file.
  3. Step 3: Next, use the 'bootrec /fixboot' command to fix the boot sector. This step updates the boot sector with the new BCD information.
  4. Step 4: After fixing the boot order, restart your computer and press the key to enter the UEFI settings (usually F2, F12, or Del). Select the Windows drive as the first boot device and save the changes.

Reinstall the Windows Boot Loader

  1. Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type 'bcdedit /createstore \?\ oot\ older\boot\config\default'. This command creates a new BCD store on the root of the drive.
  2. Step 2: Next, use the 'bcdedit /set {default} device (D:)' command to set the Windows drive as the default boot device.
  3. Step 3: Then, use the 'bcdedit /set {default} os C:ootootmgfw.dll' command to specify the Windows Boot Loader as the default loader.

✨ Wrapping Up

To resolve the issue, try rebuilding the BCD and fixing the boot order using the 'bootrec' commands. If that fails, you can attempt to reinstall the Windows Boot Loader by creating a new BCD store and setting the Windows drive as the default boot device. Remember to restart your computer after making any changes to ensure they take effect.

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