How to Use the BCD Edit Feature of BootIt NG

BootIt NG, beginning in version 1.80, includes a feature that enables you to view and edit the boot configuration data (BCD) for Windows Vista.  Version 1.86b adds support for Windows 7. Please note that when working with partitions that do not contain a BCD file, this feature will not be accessible.

Accessing BCD Edit

To view or edit a partition's BCD file:

1. Click the Partition Work icon on the BootIt NG desktop (or press Alt+W).  The Work with Partitions window appears.
   
   
2. Select the appropriate drive using the radio buttons on the left side of the Work with Partitions window.
   
   
3. Select the appropriate partition. For Windows Vista, it will usually be the Vista partition. For Windows 7, it will be the System Reserved 100MB partition if it exists, otherwise it will usually be the Windows 7 partition. Once the correct partition has been selected, click the Properties button (or double-click the partition).  The partition's Properties window appears.
   
   
   • If the correct partition has been selected, a BCD Edit button will appear near the bottom of the Properties window.  If the BCD Edit button does not appear, the partition does not contain BCD.
     
     
4. Click the BCD Edit button.  The BCD Edit window appears.  Note: If you click the BCD Edit button and get a No BCD Store error message, you have probably selected the wrong partition.

Important BCD Settings

To boot Windows Vista or Windows 7, ensure that your BCD is configured as follows:

Menu Entries

1. Select the Menu radio button on the left side of the BCD Edit window.  An entry titled Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows 7 should appear in the Items list.
   
   
2. Select the Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows 7 item and then click the Edit button (or double-click the desired item).  The properties of the selected item will appear in a new window.
   
   
3. Select the Device entry from the list of Properties and then click the Edit button (or double-click the Device entry).  The Edit window appears.
   
   
4. In the upper Type drop-down list, select the hard drive number on which Windows Vista / Windows 7 is installed.
   
   
5. In the lower Type drop-down list, select the partition on which Windows Vista / Windows 7 is installed.
   
   
6. Click OK in the Edit window.  You will be returned to the window showing the properties of the Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows 7 item.

Note: Repeat Steps 3 - 6 for the OS Device entry (i.e. in Step 3, select the OS Device entry).  When done, click Close to return to the BCD Edit window.

Boot Entry

1. Select the Boot radio button on the left side of the BCD Edit window.  An entry titled Windows Boot Manager should appear in the Items list.
   
   
2. Select the Windows Boot Manager item and then click the Edit button (or double-click the Windows Boot Manager item).  The properties of the Windows Boot Manager item will appear in a new window.
   
   
3. Select the Device entry from the list of Properties and then click the Edit button (or double-click the Device entry).  The Edit window appears.
   
   
4. Generally, you should have {boot} selected in the upper Type drop-down list.  In this case, the lower Type drop-down list will be unused and inaccessible.  However, if necessary, you may use the upper Type drop-down list to select the hard drive number on which the BCD file resides (i.e. the hard drive where the file bootmgr can be found).
   
   
5. If you have a specific hard drive selected in the upper Type drop-down list, you must also select the partition on which the BCD file resides for the lower Type drop-down list.
   
   Note: Repeat Steps 2 - 5 for the Windows Memory Diagnostic entry (i.e. in Step 2, select the Windows Memory Diagnostic entry).
   
   
6. Click OK in the Edit window.  You will be returned to the window showing the properties of the Windows Boot Manager item.

When done, click Close in the Windows Boot Manager properties window, click Close on the BCD Edit window, then click OK in the partition Properties window.