Can You Rebuild Windows BCD External Hard Drive

Can you rebuild Windows BCD external hard drive?

Yes, you can rebuild the Windows Boot Configuration Data (BCD) using an external hard drive. The BCD is a critical component for booting Windows, and if it becomes corrupted, your system may fail to start. Utilizing an external hard drive allows you to access recovery tools without needing to rely solely on the internal drive.

By connecting the external hard drive to your computer, you can use various Windows recovery options available through installation media or recovery disks. These tools can help you repair or rebuild the BCD, restoring your system's ability to boot properly.

It's essential to ensure that the external drive is properly set up and recognized by the BIOS or UEFI firmware for this process to be successful. Keep in mind that while rebuilding the BCD can resolve boot issues, it’s also advisable to back up your important data beforehand to avoid any potential data loss during the repair process. This method provides a flexible way to recover your Windows environment, especially when internal repairs are not an option.

How to rebuild Windows BCD external hard drive

In this post, we’ll explore two external methods: using Windows’ built-in features and utilizing a third-party tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Method 1. Using Windows built-in feature

To use this method, you’ll need:

◤ A Windows installation USB drive or CD/DVD.

◤ An external hard drive where you’ll access or save data.

Step 1. Connect your Windows installation USB or insert the CD/DVD into your computer.

Step 2. Restart your computer and boot from the installation media. You may need to change the boot order in BIOS/UEFI settings.

Step 3. Once the Windows setup screen appears, select your language preferences and click Next.

Step 4. Click on Repair your computer at the bottom left of the window.

Step 5. Choose Troubleshoot from the options presented. Click on Advanced options. Select Command Prompt from the list.

Step 6. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

Step 7. After running these commands, type exit and restart your computer. Check if the issue is resolved.

Method 2. Using third-party tool

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a powerful disk management software that provides users with a comprehensive set of tools for managing their hard drives and partitions. It offers a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both novice and experienced users. One of the standout features of AOMEI Partition Assistant is its ability to repair common boot issues, including the reconstruction of the Boot Configuration Data (BCD).

When you encounter boot problems—often indicated by errors like “boot device not found” or “Windows failed to start”—AOMEI Partition Assistant can help resolve these issues efficiently. This tool is especially useful when working with external hard drives, allowing users to access and modify the BCD settings of Windows installations stored on these drives.

In this part, we will walk you through the steps to rebuild the Windows BCD using AOMEI Partition Assistant, providing you with the knowledge to restore your system’s boot functionality quickly and effectively.

Option 1. Rebuild MBR

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard on a working PC. In the main interface, click Tools > Make Bootable Media and follow the wizard to create a Windows 10/11 bootable USB drive.

Step 2. Connect the bootable media created via AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard to the computer with a boot issue and enter BIOS to boot computer from the USB drive.

Step 3. Once logged in, the AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard will run automatically. In the main interface, right-click the system disk that contains corrupted MBR and choose Rebuild MBR.

Step 4. Set the type of MBR for Windows 10 in the pop-up window. (Choose a proper MBR type according to your operating system.)

Step 5. Click Apply and Proceed on the toolbar to commit Rebuild MBR operation.

Option 2. Boot Repair

Step 1. Prepare a blank USB and connect it to a working PC that has installed AOMEI Partition Assistant, click "Recover" >"Boot Repair" and then click the "create a bootable disk" option to create a WinPE "Boot Repair" disk.

Step 2. Boot the PC that cannot boot into WinPE. It will automatically load the Boot Repair tool and start the boot entries scan process. All boot entries will be displayed.

Step 3. Select the repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the "Repair" button to start the repair.

Step 4. Once the repair is repaired successfully, you can remove the bootable disk and boot the PC from the original system drive.

Conclusion

Rebuilding the BCD on an external hard drive can resolve many boot-related issues and restore your system's functionality. Whether you choose to use Windows' built-in recovery tools or a third-party application like AOMEI Partition Assistant, these methods are effective in restoring your system's boot functionality. If problems persist after rebuilding the BCD, consider other troubleshooting methods or seek professional assistance.