This tutorial will show you how to backup and restore the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) system store file in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Windows boot options are stored in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store. This is used to describe boot applications and boot application settings.
Creating a backup of the BCD store to a file before making any changes to the BCD is highly recommended in case you may need to restore the original BCD if something goes wrong.
References:

Overview of Boot Options in Windows - Windows drivers
Describes Windows boot loader architecture, firmware-independent boot configuration, and boot option editing tool.
learn.microsoft.com

bcdedit
Reference article for the bcdedit command, which creates new stores, modify existing stores, and add boot menu parameters.
learn.microsoft.com
Contents
- Option One: Backup Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store to BCD file
- Option Two: Restore Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store from BCD file
EXAMPLE: BCD from running
bcdedit
command1 Open an Elevated Command Prompt.
2 Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
bcdedit /export "%UserProfile%\Desktop\MyBCDEdit.bcd"
3 A MyBCDEdit.bcd file will now be created on your desktop. This .reg file is your BCD backup to restore in Option Two when wanted or needed. You can move the MyBCDEdit.bcd file to where you want to keep it saved at.
You can rename this MyBCDEdit.bcd file with any name you want.
4 You can now close the elevated command prompt if you like.
1 Open an Elevated Command Prompt or command prompt at boot.
2 Type the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
bcdedit /import "<full path of BCD file>"
Substitute <full path of BCD file> in the command above with the actual full path (ex: "%UserProfile%\Desktop\MyBCDEdit.bcd") of the exported BCD file with file extension from Option One you want to restore.
For example: bcdedit /import "%UserProfile%\Desktop\MyBCDEdit.bcd"
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited: