Error "Failed to Copy Boot Files bcdboot"

When installing or restoring the Windows operating system, you might encounter the error “Failed to Copy Boot Files bcdboot”. This issue often arises with the bcdboot command, which is responsible for creating or restoring the boot record on your hard drive. Let’s explore the causes of this error and the ways to resolve it.

Main Causes of the Error

  • Lack of administrator privileges: The bcdboot command requires admin rights. If launched without these elevated permissions, the system may block the file copying process.
  • Corrupted system files: Certain system files might be damaged or missing, preventing bcdboot from executing correctly.
  • Partition issues: The error may occur if the boot partition has been accidentally deleted, damaged, or improperly formatted.
  • GPT and MBR conflicts: If the disk partitions use GPT, while the BIOS is set to work with MBR (or vice versa), this could also cause a failure in creating the boot record.

How to Fix the "Failed to Copy Boot Files bcdboot" Error

Below are steps to help resolve this error. Please follow each instruction carefully to avoid further system issues.

1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator

The error often occurs due to insufficient permissions. To fix this, run Command Prompt with administrative privileges:

  1. Press Win + S and type cmd.
  2. Right-click "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator."

2. Check and Repair System Files

To restore damaged system files, execute the following commands:

sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

The sfc command will check system file integrity, while dism will fix any found damage.

3. Verify Disk Partitions and Assignments

Check if there is a boot partition on your disk and if it’s correctly assigned:

diskpart
list disk
select disk 0 (choose the necessary disk)
list partition

Make sure the boot partition exists and is labeled correctly.

4. Recreate the Boot Record

Try to recreate the boot record using the bcdboot command:

bcdboot C:\Windows /s S: /f ALL

Here, C:\Windows is the path to the Windows folder, and S: is the partition where the boot record will be installed. Ensure the partitions are specified correctly.

5. Check GPT and MBR Compatibility

If your system is operating in UEFI mode, confirm that the disk uses a GPT partition table. For BIOS mode, MBR is required. Adjust the boot mode in BIOS or, if necessary, recreate the partition table.