Bootcfg Command Examples Switches Options and More
Bootcfg Command (Examples, Switches, Options, and More) GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows [arguments...]
The above syntax is how you must structure the bootcfg command with any of the available switches described in the table below, but the availability of certain switches and other syntax may differ from operating system to operating system. 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
Use the 'bootcfg' command to edit the boot.ini file
By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 19, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide 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
bootcfgThe above syntax is how you must structure the bootcfg command with any of the available switches described in the table below, but the availability of certain switches and other syntax may differ from operating system to operating system. 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.