Configuring boot options is a crucial task for system administrators and power users who need to manage multiple operating systems, troubleshoot boot issues, or optimize the startup process. In the Windows environment, boot configuration can be managed using built-in tools like the System Configuration utility (msconfig) and the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store. This article will guide you through the process of configuring boot options in Windows, ensuring that you can efficiently manage your system's startup behavior.

Examples:

Using System Configuration Utility (msconfig)

1. Open System Configuration Utility:

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.


• Type msconfig and press Enter.

2. Configure Boot Options:

• Navigate to the Boot tab.


• Here, you can see the list of installed operating systems. You can set the default OS, change the timeout, and enable options like Safe Boot.


• To set a default OS, select the desired OS and click Set as default.


• Adjust the timeout value if needed.


• Click Apply and then OK.

3. Reboot the System:

• You will be prompted to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Click Restart.

Using Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Edit Tool (bcdedit)

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

• Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).

2. View Current Boot Configuration:

• Type bcdedit and press Enter. This command displays the current boot configuration data.

3. Set a Default Operating System:

• Find the identifier of the OS you want to set as default. For example, it might look like {current} or {default}.


• Use the command bcdedit /default {identifier} to set the default OS. Replace {identifier} with the actual identifier.

4. Change Boot Timeout:

• Use the command bcdedit /timeout <seconds> to set the boot menu timeout. Replace <seconds> with the desired timeout value.

5. Enable Safe Boot:

• To enable Safe Boot, use the command bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal.

6. Reboot the System:

• Type shutdown /r /t 0 to restart the computer immediately.

Example Commands:

• 
  

  To set the default OS:

  
  

  bcdedit /default {current}

  
  


• 
  

  To change the boot timeout to 30 seconds:

  
  

  bcdedit /timeout 30

  
  


• 
  

  To enable Safe Boot:

  
  

  bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal