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In the [[Windows]] [[operating system]], '''Boot Configuration Data''' (BCD) is a set of information which is used to initialize all systems later than [[Windows XP]].
==Purpose==
A [[computer]]'s Boot Configuration Data indicates to the [[BIOS]] where the operating system(s) are located, what they are named, and how to initialize them. Unlike the older system which used a [[boot.ini]] file, the Boot Configuration Data does not rely on the computer's firmware, thus making this newer system more versatile. It is essentially nothing more than a binary file in the registry hive format<ref>https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc770770%28v=ws.10%29.aspx</ref>
==Usage==
The BCD system is used by all major systems beginning with [[Windows Vista]], including Windows Vista (of course), Windows Server 2008, [[Windows 7]], Windows Server 2012, [[Windows 8]], Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1, [[Windows 10]], and Windows Server 2016.
==Editors==
*Msconfig.exe (A program with a [[Graphical User Interface|GUI]] which allows some simple BCD editing)<ref name="Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions">https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721886%28v=ws.10%29.aspx</ref>
*Bootcfg.exe (A command-line utility included with some earlier versions of Windows)<ref name="Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions">https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721886%28v=ws.10%29.aspx</ref>
*BCDEdit.exe (A command-line utility included with Windows versions Vista and above)<ref name="Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions">https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721886%28v=ws.10%29.aspx</ref>
*[[EasyBCD]].exe (Third-party shareware/paid program by NeoSmart Technologies which enables both advanced and easy, simple BCD editing)
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Purpose==
A [[computer]]'s Boot Configuration Data indicates to the [[BIOS]] where the operating system(s) are located, what they are named, and how to initialize them. Unlike the older system which used a [[boot.ini]] file, the Boot Configuration Data does not rely on the computer's firmware, thus making this newer system more versatile. It is essentially nothing more than a binary file in the registry hive format<ref>https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc770770%28v=ws.10%29.aspx</ref>
==Usage==
The BCD system is used by all major systems beginning with [[Windows Vista]], including Windows Vista (of course), Windows Server 2008, [[Windows 7]], Windows Server 2012, [[Windows 8]], Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1, [[Windows 10]], and Windows Server 2016.
==Editors==
*Msconfig.exe (A program with a [[Graphical User Interface|GUI]] which allows some simple BCD editing)<ref name="Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions">https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721886%28v=ws.10%29.aspx</ref>
*Bootcfg.exe (A command-line utility included with some earlier versions of Windows)<ref name="Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions">https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721886%28v=ws.10%29.aspx</ref>
*BCDEdit.exe (A command-line utility included with Windows versions Vista and above)<ref name="Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions">https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721886%28v=ws.10%29.aspx</ref>
*[[EasyBCD]].exe (Third-party shareware/paid program by NeoSmart Technologies which enables both advanced and easy, simple BCD editing)
==References==
{{reflist}}