How to Fix "BCD Missing" Error on Windows 10 GPT Partition

What causes the "BCD Missing" error?

The "BCD Missing" error, commonly seen as "The Boot Configuration Data file is missing", usually occurs on Windows computers when the system's boot configuration data (BCD) is either missing or corrupted. This prevents the operating system from starting, and it typically displays a message like:

"Your PC needs to be repaired."

"The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors."

Here are the main causes of the "BCD Missing" error:

1. Corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

The BCD file may become corrupted due to unexpected shutdowns, power outages, or software issues, causing the system to lose the path to essential boot information.

2. Disk errors or corruption

Hard drive failures, corrupted sectors, or physical damage can prevent the BCD from being read correctly, leading to boot errors.

3. Incorrect BIOS/UEFI settings

BIOS or UEFI misconfigurations, like incorrect boot priority settings, can cause the system to look in the wrong place for boot data, resulting in a missing BCD error.

4. Accidental deletion or formatting

Sometimes, the BCD can be accidentally deleted during disk management tasks, especially if partitions are reformatted or resized.

5. File system corruption

NTFS or FAT file system corruption on the boot partition can prevent the BCD from loading correctly. This can happen after improper shutdowns or power loss.

How to fix the BCD missing error on a GPT partition

Here includes 4 easy and effective ways to fix missing BCD file Windows 10 on a GPT partition.

Way 1. Run boot repair tool

One of the easiest ways to fix a missing BCD file on Windows 10 is by using a boot repair tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant. It is originally a versatile and user-friendly tool for managing disk partitions on Windows. It comes with a Boot Repair feature that is especially useful for fixing boot-related issues, including BCD errors. Here’s how it works:

✎ Ease of use: AOMEI Partition Assistant has an intuitive interface, making it accessible even to users who aren't highly technical. You can navigate and use its boot repair feature with minimal instructions.
✎ Comprehensive boot repair: The tool goes beyond simply repairing the BCD file. It can fix boot sectors, MBR, and other critical system files, making it an all-in-one solution for common boot errors.
✎ Automatic and manual options: The software provides both automated and advanced options. If you prefer, you can let the tool automatically scan and repair, or you can select specific fixes for a more tailored approach.

Case 1: Repair an running PC

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. In the Main Tab, please click the "Recover" tab and select "Boot Repair".

Step 2. The Boot Repair tool will pop up. Please click "Next" to start the system’s boot entries scan process.

Step 3. After the process is completed, it will display the scan result: system paths, system versions, and boot status. And, all repairable boot entries will be available to select.

Advanced Settings: Select a location to store the repaired boot entry.

◆ Repair to the current disk: The system will boot from the current disk and ensure the boot files are complete and functioning properly. (By default)

◆ Repair to another disk: This operation will repair the boot entry or create a new system boot entry to ensure the system can boot from the disk you select.

Step 4. Select one/multiple repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the "Repair" button to start the boot repair.

Step 5. Wait for the repair process to finish. Once it is finished, you can check the repair result. If it succeeds, you will get a "Repair Successfully" result.

Case 2: Repair Boot for PC that is unable to Boot

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant on a working PC, click "Recover"-"Boot Repair" and then click the "create a bootable disk" option to create a WinPE "Boot Repair" disk.

Step 2. Plug the bootable disk you created into the target computer you wish to repair the boot issue.

Step 3. Enter BIOS in your computer, choose the bootable disk as the boot drive to access AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Step 4. The PC that cannot boot into WinPE will automatically load the Boot Repair tool and start the boot entries scan process. All boot entries will be displayed. Then you can follow the same operations as the above shows.

Way 2. Rebuild the BCD

If the automatic repair didn’t fix the issue, manually rebuilding the BCD may help.

Step 1. Insert a Windows installation media (USB or DVD) and boot your system from it. Choose "Repair your computer" > "Troubleshoot" > "Command Prompt".

Step 2. Run BCD Rebuild Commands: In Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

These commands will attempt to fix the Master Boot Record, fix the boot sector, scan for existing installations, and rebuild the BCD.

Step 3. If prompted, type Y to confirm any prompts. Once done, restart your computer to see if the BCD missing error is resolved.

Way 3. Check partition status

Sometimes, the issue arises because the system partition or the EFI partition is inactive or incorrectly configured.

Step 1. After booting into Command Prompt, type diskpart and press Enter.

Step 2. Type list disk and press Enter to display all disks.

Step 3. Identify the disk with the GPT partition, type select disk # (replacing "#" with the disk number), and press Enter.

Step 4. Type list partition to display all partitions on the disk.

Step 5. Find the EFI partition, type select partition # (replacing "#" with the partition number), and press Enter.

Step 6. Type active and press Enter to make the partition active.

Step 7. Then type exit to close DiskPart and restart your computer.

Way 4. Repair the EFI Bootloader

For systems with UEFI firmware and a GPT partition style, repairing the EFI bootloader might be necessary to fix the BCD error.

Step 1. Use the Windows installation media to open Command Prompt as outlined in the previous steps.

Step 2. Enter the following commands, pressing Enter after each line:

diskpart

list disk

select disk 2    (Replace 2 with your system disk number)

list volume

select volume 4   Replace 4 with the EFI partition number

assign letter=g    Assigns a drive letter to the EFI partition

Step 3. Type the following commands to repair the EFI bootloader:

cd /d Z:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\

bootrec /fixboot

ren BCD BCD.bak

bcdboot C:\Windows /l en-us /s Z: /f ALL

This process renames the existing BCD file and creates a new one, effectively rebuilding the EFI bootloader.

Step 4. Close Command Prompt, remove any bootable media, and restart your system to see if it boots properly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the "BCD Missing" error in Windows often indicates issues with the system’s Boot Configuration Data, leading to boot failures and error messages that prevent the system from starting correctly. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to tackle this problem.

Using tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant for automatic boot repairs provides a straightforward solution, especially with its user-friendly interface and comprehensive repair options. Alternatively, manual methods can also effectively resolve the issue. By following these methods, you can restore your system’s boot functionality.