Bootcfg Command

The bootcfg command is a Recovery Console command used to build or modify the boot.ini file, a hidden file that's used to identify in what folder, on which partition, and on which hard drive Windows is located.

Bootcfg Command Availability

The bootcfg command is available from within the Recovery Console in Windows 2000 and Windows XP. A bootcfg command is also available from the Command Prompt.

Bootcfg Command Syntax

This syntax is how you must structure the bootcfg command with any of the available switches described in the table below:

bootcfg <parameter> [arguments...]

Bootcfg Command Options
Item	Description
/add	This option allows for the manual entry of a Windows installation in the boot.ini boot list.
/addsw	Adds operating system load options for a specified operating system entry.
/copy	Makes a copy of an existing boot entry, to which you can add command-line options.
/dbg1394	Configures 1394 port debugging for a specified operating system entry.
/debug	Adds or changes the debug settings for a specified operating system entry.
/default	Specifies the operating system entry to designate as the default.
/delete	Deletes an operating system entry in the [operating systems] section of the Boot.ini file.
/ems	Enables the user to add or change the settings for redirection of the Emergency Management Services console to a remote computer.
/list	This option will list every entry in the boot list in the boot.ini file.
/query	Queries and displays the [boot loader] and [operating systems] section entries from Boot.ini.
/raw	Adds operating system load options specified as a string to an operating system entry in the [operating systems] section of the Boot.ini file.
/rebuild	This option will step you through the process of rebuilding the boot.ini file.
/rmsw	Removes operating system load options for a specified operating system entry.
/scan	Using this option will instruct bootcfg to scan all drives for installations of Windows and then display the results.
/timeout	Changes the operating system time-out value.

Bootcfg Command Examples

bootcfg /rebuild

In this example, the bootcfg command scans all drives for any Windows installations, displays the results, and steps you through building the boot.ini file.

Related Commands

The fixboot, fixmbr, and diskpart commands are often used with the bootcfg command.