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You’ve probably come across the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error – that is why you’re on this page. Don’t worry. You are not alone. Many Windows users have experienced this problem. But what is it all about? Why does it happen? How can it be fixed? All these questions will be answered below.

What is BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO?

One of the most common BSOD or Blue Screen of Death errors on Windows devices is the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO. It happens when the SYSTEM hive is corrupt or when certain critical registry values and keys are missing. Simply said, it can show up when the bootloader loads the hive and checks it for any corrupt data, or when a user manually edits the registry or a service corrupted the registry, which results in missing values and keys.

Because it is a common error, it can actually be resolved.

3 Common Ways to Fix the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error

As mentioned, the bad system config info blue screen error occurs because of different reasons. Depending on the cause, the possible fixes also vary. You may not try the three methods we recommend; at least try one until you solve the problem.

Before you try and fix the issue, you have to log into Windows first. If you can’t log into Windows, run it in Safe Mode and try these three fixes:

Fix #1: Update your drivers.

In most instances, the bad system config info Windows 10 error happens because of missing or corrupted device drivers. That means you can probably resolve the problem by simply updating all your Windows drivers.

To update the drivers, you have to verify and check if all your devices have their corresponding drivers. If not, you should update them. The process can be done manually. Follow the steps below for your reference:

  1. Visit the manufacturer’s website for the specific device.
  2. Search for the latest driver of the device.
  3. Make sure you choose the driver that is compatible with your current Windows version.

If you choose the manual process of updating your device drivers, understand that you have to check for updates for all your devices one by one. Now, if you are not that confident with your technical skills and are not comfortable with playing around with your drivers, use third-party software or tools to do the updates for you.

Auslogics Driver Updater is a great tool for recognizing the system you are using and finding the drivers that are compatible with it. Although there are many other driver updater tools available for download, this one is more popular for some reasons.

First and foremost, it saves you time. It can update drivers in just one click, so you need not search manually for the right driver. Second, it only downloads official driver versions that are designed specifically for your device model and type. Third, it creates backups prior to updating drivers so it will be easy for you to go back to the previous driver version if you are unhappy with the current version. Last but not the least, it is proven safe and effective. It’s even recommended by professionals.

Config

Once all drivers have been updated, try to reboot your computer and see if this step has solved your BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO problem.

Fix #2: Fix your Boot Configuration Data file.

The BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error might be caused by a damaged BCD or Boot Configuration Data file. If you cannot run your Windows 10 device in Safe Mode, then you need to fix your BCD file first.

To fix this issue, you need a Windows 10 installation flash drive. If you don’t have one, you might have to create it. Feel free to search the web to learn how to create one. Once you have it, follow the steps below:

  1. Insert the Windows 10 installation flash drive into your computer.
  2. Restart it to initiate booting from the disk.
  3. Click the Next
  4. Select the option Repair your computer.
  5. Navigate to Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Command Prompt.
  6. Enter the following commands. Be sure to press the Enter button after each line:

bootrec /repairbcd

bootrec /osscan

bootrec /repairmbr

  1. Close the command prompt window.
  2. Try to reboot your computer and see if it fixed the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error.

If the problem persists, try the third possible fix.

Fix #3: Fix the Windows Registry.

If you’ve already tried the first two fixes but the error still keeps on popping up, then it could be caused by incorrect registry settings. To fix it, you will also need a Windows 10 installation flash drive. If you don’t have one, create one and then follow the instructions below:

  1. Insert the Windows 10 installation flash drive in your computer.
  2. Restart it to boot from the flash drive.
  3. Click the Next
  4. Select the Repair your computer
  5. Navigate to Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Command Prompt.
  6. Enter the following commands. Make sure you press the Enter button after typing each line:

CD C:WindowsSystem32config

ren C:WindowsSystem32configDEFAULT DEFAULT.old

ren C:WindowsSystem32configSAM SAM.old

ren C:WindowsSystem32configSECURITY SECURITY.old

ren C:WindowsSystem32configSOFTWARE SOFTWARE.old

ren C:WindowsSystem32configSYSTEM SYSTEM.old

  1. Next, enter the following commands. Do not forget to press the Enter button after each line:

copy C:WindowsSystem32configRegBackDEFAULT C:WindowsSystem32config

copy C:WindowsSystem32configRegBackSAM C:WindowsSystem32config

copy C:WindowsSystem32configRegBackSECURITY C:WindowsSystem32config

Missing Windows System32 Config System

copy C:WindowsSystem32configRegBackSYSTEM C:WindowsSystem32config

copy C:WindowsSystem32configRegBack

  1. Close the command prompt window.
  2. Restart your Windows computer and see if the problem persists.

Summary

The BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error isn’t so bad after all. With all these possible fixes, you can surely get around it. And now that you know what this error is all about, maybe it’s time that you protect your computer against other potential errors by downloading and installing Outbyte PC Repair. Try it and see how this tool will work wonders on your computer’s performance.

Photo Source: Wikipedia

If you’re running into errors and your system is suspiciously slow, your computer needs some maintenance work. Download Outbyte PC Repair for Windows, Outbyte Antivirus for Windows, or Outbyte MacRepair for macOS to resolve common computer performance issues. Fix computer troubles by downloading the compatible tool for your device.
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Summary :

What causes the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt? How to fix the WindowsSystem32ConfigSystem is missing or corrupt? This post from MiniTool will show you the solutions.

Quick Navigation :

What Is the Error Windows Could Not Start Because the Following File Is Missing or Corrupt?

Computer may come across the boot failure due to all kinds of reasons, such as the error code 0xc0000001, the boot selection failed because the required device is inaccessible, Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt, and so on.

When you encounter the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt, you may receive the following message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

WindowsSystem32configSYSTEM

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM.

Select ‘r’ at the first screen to start repair.

Besides the Windows system32 config system missing or corrupt, you may also receive other error messages that are related to this error.

  • The dll is missing or corrupt.
  • The registry cannot load the hive file: SystemRootSystem32ConfigSOFTWARE or its log or alternate.
  • Stop error code 0xc000000f.
  • System error: When trying to update a password the return status indicates that the value provided as the current password is not correct.

The error that Windowssystem32configsystem file is missing or corrupt may be caused by the virus attack, power outages, mistakenly configured registry files, etc.

So, in the following part, we will show you how to fix the error that Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or corrupt. But before proceeding to the solutions, you had better rescue data from the unbootable computer due to the system registry file missing or corrupt.

Hence, in this section, we will walk you through how to retrieve data from the unbootable computer due to the issue that Windowssystem32configsystem file is missing or corrupt.

How to Retrieve Data from the Unbootable Computer?

It is often for you to encounter the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt on Windows 7/8/10 and XP. So, all operations will be made on Windows 7 and the measures can be used on other Windows versions.

To retrieve data from the unbootable computer, MiniTool ShadowMaker is strongly recommended.

System

MiniTool ShadowMaker is a piece of professional backup software. It is designed to back up the operating system, files, folders, disks and partitions. It also enables you to sync files to other locations with the Sync feature. In addition, MiniTool ShadowMaker is a clone tool, which enables you to clone OS from HDD to SSD without data loss.

With so many features, download MiniTool ShadowMaker to have a try and we will show you how to retrieve data from the unbootable computer or you can choose to purchase an advanced edition.

Since your computer is unbootable due to the error Windows system32 config system missing or corrupt. You need the help of bootable media to boot computer and retrieve data. MiniTool ShadowMaker enables you to do that.

Now, here is the tutorial.

1. Install MiniTool ShadowMaker on a normal computer.

2. Launch it and click Keep Trial to enter its main interface.

3. Go to Tools page and click Media Builder feature to create the bootable media.

4. After the bootable media is created, connect it to the unbootable computer encountering the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt no CD.

5. Enter the BIOS and change the boot order.

Download Windows System32 Config System

6. Then you will enter the MiniTool Recovery Environment, go to the Backup page. Click Source module and choose Folders and Files. Then select the files you want to retrieve to continue.

7. Click Destination module to choose a target disk to save the backup files. It is recommended to save the backup files to an external hard drive.

8 After selecting the files and folders, you can click Back up Now to perform the backup task immediately.

When the process is finished, you have retrieved data from the unbootable computer because the Windowssystem32configsystem file is missing or corrupt.

Now, it is time to fix the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt.

Software

How to Fix Windowssystem32configsystem File Is Missing or Corrupt?

In this section, we will show you how to fix the problem that Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or corrupt. If you have the same problem, try these solutions.

1. Run Startup Repair

In order to solve the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt, you can try running Startup Repair.

  1. As your computer is unbootable, the installation disc is required. If you already have, ignore this step. If you don’t have one, click here to download the Windows 7 installation disk.
  2. Connect it to the unbootable computer and boot from it.
  3. Select the language, time and keyboard input.
  4. Then choose Repair your computer to continue.
  5. In the pop-up window, choose Startup Repair to continue.
  6. Then you can follow the wizard to continue. It will begin to diagnostic your computer. If there are some problems with your computer, it will repair them.

When it is finished, reboot your computer and check whether the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt is solved.

If this solution does not take effect, try other solutions.

2. Scan Hard Drive Errors

If there are some problems such as bad sectors on hard drive, you may also encounter the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt. So, in order to fix the Windowssystem32configsystem file download error, you can check the hard drive.

Now, here is the tutorial.

  1. Boot your computer from the Windows installation disc.
  2. Click Repair your computer.
  3. In the pop-up window, click Command Prompt to continue.
  4. Then type the command chkdsk c: /r and hit Enter to continue.

Then the chkdsk utilities will begin to scan your hard drive. When the scanning process is finished, reboot your computer and check whether the problem that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt is solved.

If this solution does not take effect, try the following solutions.

Related article: Top 4 Free Hard Drive Test Tools Every Windows User Must Know

3. Run SFC Tool

If there are corrupt system files on your computer, you may also come across the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt. In this situation, you can run the Windows built-in tools – System File Checker to scan and repair the corrupt system files on your computer.

Now, here is the tutorial.

  1. Boot the computer from the Windows installation disc.
  2. Click Repair your computer.
  3. In the pop-up window, click Command Prompt.
  4. In the pop-up window, type the command sfc /scannow and hit Enter to continue.
  5. Then the System File Checker will begin to scan the corrupt system files on your computer. Please do not close the command line window until you see the message verification 100% complete.

When the scanning process is finished, reboot your computer and check whether the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt is solved.

4. Restore the Registry Manually

The problem that Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or corrupt can be fixed by replacing it with a clean copy that was created on the hard drive when Windows was installed.

Note: This operation will restore the system to a state that might be different from its current state.

Before proceeding on, you had better back up the current registry files so that they could be restored if anything goes wrong.

Now, here is the tutorial.

1. Open Command Prompt as the way listed above.

2. Type the following commands and hit Enter after each command.

md tmp
copy c:windowssystem32configsystem c:windowstmpsystem.bak
copy c:windowssystem32configsoftware c:windowstmpsoftware.bak
copy c:windowssystem32configsam c:windowstmpsam.bak
copy c:windowssystem32configsecurity c:windowstmpsecurity.bak
copy c:windowssystem32configdefault c:windowstmpdefault.bak

Note: Replacing the C with Windows’s drive letter.

3. After that, you can delete the current registry files.

delete c:windowssystem32configsystem
delete c:windowssystem32configsoftware
delete c:windowssystem32configsam
delete c:windowssystem32configsecurity
delete c:windowssystem32configdefault

4. Then you can repair the registry hives from the repair folder.

copy c:windowsrepairsystem c:windowssystem32configsystem
copy c:windowsrepairsoftware c:windowssystem32configsoftware
copy c:windowsrepairsam c:windowssystem32configsam
copy c:windowsrepairsecurity c:windowssystem32configsecurity
copy c:windowsrepairdefault c:windowssystem32configdefault

After that, exit the command line window and reboot your computer to check whether the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt is solved.

If the above solutions are not effective, you can try the last solution.

5. Perform a Clean Reinstallation

If none of the above solutions takes effect, you can choose to reinstall the operating system. But before reinstalling, the first thing you need to do is to export your data. You can choose to back up data from the unbootable computer or you can choose to recover data when PC won’t boot.

After retrieving data from the unbootable computer due to the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt, you can start to reinstall the operating system.

Now, here is the tutorial.

  1. Boot the computer from the Windows installation disk.
  2. Select language, time and keyboard input.
  3. On the next page, click Install Now.
  4. Then check option I accept the license terms and click Next.
  5. Next, choose which type of installation you want. It is recommended to choose Custom (advanced).
  6. Next, select the drive to install Windows and click Next.

Then you can follow the wizard to complete Windows installation. When the process is finished, the computer can boot normally and you also have fixed the problem that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt.

After fixing the problem that Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or corrupt, it is recommended to create a system image. In this way, it can effectively safeguard your computer and files. In addition, you can directly restore your computer to a normal state when encountering some problems or coming across the issue that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt again.

To create a system image, MiniTool ShadowMaker is able to do that. And you can read the post: How to Back up Windows to Safeguard Your Computer? Try MiniTool! to know more detailed operation instructions.

Bottom Line

To sum up, this post has introduced what is the error that Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt. This post also has shown 5 ways to fix the error that Windowssystem32configsystem is missing or corrupt.

If you have any better solution to solve the error that Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or corrupt, you can share it in the comment zone.

If you have any problem with MiniTool ShadowMaker, please feel free to contact us via the email [email protected] and we will reply to you as soon as possible.

Windows Could Not Start Because the Following File Is Missing or Corrupt FAQ

How do I fix Windows 10 registry file is missing or corrupt?
  1. Use a recovery drive.
  2. Use bootable system installation drive.
  3. Use bootable CD/DVD or USB drive.
  4. Reboot PC to the Last Known Good Configuration.
  5. Use Bootrec.exe to fix boot sequence.
  6. Run SFC and DISM to repair system file corruption.
  7. Perform a clean install.

You can read the post How To Fix The System Registry File Is Missing Or Corrupt Error to know more detailed operation.

How do I fix Windows failed to load because a critical system driver is missing or corrupt?
  1. Run Startup Repair.
  2. Scan hard drive errors.
  3. Run SFC tool.
  4. Restore the registry manually.
  5. Perform a clean installation.

There are three common reasons that corrupt the Windows registry.

  1. Freeware.
  2. Tampering of the Windows Registry.
  3. User’s incorrect installation of programs.
  1. Open Registry Editor window.
  2. At File, click Import.
  3. Then browse and selected backup registry files you want to restore.
  4. Click Open.
  5. Once the process is finished, restart your computer and log back in the operating system.

You can read the post How to Backup and Restore Registry in Windows 10 (2020) to know more detailed operation instructions.