How to Fix ‘Bad System Config Info’ Error in Windows

Bad System Config Info is a common bug check error on Windows systems, caused mainly by a malfunctioning of the system and registry files or the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file. Some boot order files in the BCD, or even some older ones, may conflict with newer, stable files. When this happens, the error otherwise known as the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) occurs.

The bug check error can also be caused by:

• faulty hardware
• incorrect system settings
• a bad driver
• installing an important update

However, most error messages will often have a description of what the problem may be. Below are some tried and tested solutions to help you fix a Bad System Config Info error in Windows 10 and 11.

Also read:Latest Windows 10 Update Problems and How to Fix Them

1. Try Restarting Your Computer

There’s a reason that many IT people jokingly ask, “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” It’s because, in many cases, a simple restart can clear the issues your PC is having. Before you try anything else, give this suggestion a try.

Ideally, you should do a “hard restart” by going to “Start -> Power -> Shut Down,” then waiting a few minutes before turning the computer back on. This gives the system time to power down completely before rebooting.

2. Roll Back Windows Update

If this error started occurring soon after a Windows update, then that probably is where your problem lies, and the solution should be simple: roll back the Windows update!

Off the back of seemingly endless Windows update problems reported by users, Microsoft integrated a well-advised “uninstall updates” feature into Windows 10.

1. Go to Windows Update Settings by going to “Settings -> Update & Security,” then click “View update history.”

2. Click “Uninstall updates.”

3. In the list, right-click and uninstall the updates whose dates correspond with the date your problems started. (ideally, the most recent updates before the “bad system config” errors started).

Also read:9 Simple Ways to Open Device Manager in Windows

3. Check your RAM and Hard Drive

For some, it may seem daunting to look inside your PC and start twiddling around with the physical components. However, the health and fitting of your RAM and hard drive can be the cause of the bad system config info error.

If you’re comfortable with opening up your PC, you can take a look inside to make sure that your RAM is correctly fitted into the slots and that your hard drive SATA cables are properly connected too.

These checks shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes.

If you have more than one RAM stick, you could even remove the excess sticks so that only one is left, and see if the error goes away. If the error only appears when certain RAM sticks are slotted in, then it’s likely those sticks are causing the error, in which case you may need to run your PC on less RAM (and, down the line, look into buying new RAM).

Assuming your RAM and hard drive are properly fitted, you should then check on the health of your RAM and health of your hard drive, both of which we have guides for here on the site. If you get back bad results on either front, this could be causing the errors, and it may be time to look into replacing the relevant components.

4. Update or Reinstall Drivers

Incompatible or outdated drivers are a source of several issues. The worst thing bad drivers can do is bring up BSoD errors, such as the Bad System Config Info.

To resolve this, followo the instructions below:

1. Go to the Windows Device Manager.
2. Hit the Win key, then type device manager.
3. In the Device Manager window, click “Action -> Scan for hardware changes,” then look to see if any yellow exclamation marks appear next to any of the devices. (You’ll need to click the drop-down icons to seek them out.)

4. If you find any misbehaving drivers, right-click them, then click “Update driver.”
5. If the problem continues, right-click the driver, then click “Uninstall device.” If it’s a system device (like the driver for your onboard Ethernet port), it will reinstall automatically after rebooting your PC.
6. If it’s a third-party driver, it will reinstall after reconnecting the device in question or after reinstalling the software.

Also read:How to See PC Startup and Shutdown History in Windows 10

5. bcdedit Command

Quite often the Bad System Config Info error can appear when system configuration is incorrect or not configured properly. Additionally, the error will also appear if the memory and processors in the configuration file have the wrong value, preventing access to Windows 10 and Windows 11.

To resolve this, you’ll need to go to the Advanced Startup menu:

1. Click Start.
2. Click Power.

3. Press and hold Shift and click Restart.
4. The “Choose an Option” screen will display. Select Troubleshoot.

5. In the Troubleshoot window, select “Advanced Options.”

6. In the Advanced Options window, select “Command Prompt.”

7. Your computer will restart, then display the Command Prompt blue screen. You’ll be asked to select an account to continue. Press Enter, then type in your password for that account.
8. Enter the following lines once Command Prompt starts:

bcdedit/deletevalue {default} numproc
bcdedit/deletevalue {default} truncatememory

9. Close Command Prompt.
10. Start Windows again.

6. Fix BCD file

If your BCD file is corrupt or damaged, the Bad System Config Info error may appear and deny you access to Safe Mode and Windows altogether.

To resolve this, you need your bootable USB flash drive with Windows or the installation DVD. You can also use the Media Creation Tool if you don’t have a bootable USB drive.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Insert the bootable Windows 10 or Windows 11 installation DVD (or flash drive) and boot from it.
2. Windows setup will begin.
3. Click Next.
4. Click “Repair your computer.”
5. Select “Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Command Prompt.”

6. Enter the following lines when Command Prompt starts. (Press enter after each line to execute it.)

bootrec /repairbcd
bootrec /osscan
bootrec /repairmbr

7. Close Command Prompt.
8. Restart your computer.

Note: the last command you enter will delete, then recreate Master Boot Records. Be careful using it.

Also read:How to Boot to Safe Mode in Windows

7. Fix the Registry

There are specific registry issues that can bring up the error, but you can repair the registry to resolve it by following these steps:

1. Boot from the Windows 10 or 11 installation DVD.
2. Select “Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Command Prompt.”
3. Enter the following lines when Command Prompt starts. (Press Enter after each line to execute it.)

cd C:\Windows\System32\config
ren C:\Windows\System32\config\DEFAULT DEFAULT.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\config\SAM SAM.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\config\SECURITY SECURITY.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\config\SOFTWARE SOFTWARE.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\config\SYSTEM SYSTEM.old

Note: the folders of each of these commands are renamed as you press Enter, and once this is done, Windows won’t use them again. They can be deleted, but you’re better off renaming in case you need to do a system restore much later.

4. Enter the lines below into Command Prompt:

copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBackDEFAULT C:\Windows\System32\config\
copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBackDEFAULT C:\Windows\System32\config\
copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBackSAM C:\Windows\System32\config\
copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBackSECURITY C:\Windows\System32\config\
copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBackSYSTEM C:\Windows\System32\config\
copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBackSOFTWARE C:\Windows\System32\config\

This process copies the registry’s backup and replaces old files. Close Command Prompt and restart your PC.

8. System Restore

If the other methods don’t help, this may be one of your last two solutions to try. Note that you will not be able to use this method if you don’t have saved restore points to pull from. However, the system will let you know if you don’t. To perform a system restore, follow the steps below.

1. Click Start and search for “restore.”
2. Select “Create A Restore Point” from the menu.

3. Move to the “System Protection” tab, then select “System Restore.”

Also read:What Does System Restore Do in Windows?

9. Reset Windows 10/Windows 11

This is the last solution to try if none of the others worked. Before resetting, create a backup, as once you reset Windows, all files will be deleted from the C partition.

1. Click Start.
2. Click Power.
3. Press and hold Shift and click “Restart.”
4. Select “Troubleshoot -> Reset this PC.”

5. Select “Remove everything -> Only the drive where Windows is installed -> Just remove my files.”
6. Click “Reset” and wait for it to complete the process. You’ll have a fresh Windows installation once this is done.

The reset should fix the problem if it was related to your PC’s software.

Also read:How to Fix Windows Applications Not Responding

Frequently Asked Questions

Image credit: Pexels Screencaps taken by Megan Glosson