Many Windows users have reported that when attempting to execute a bcdedit command inside Command Prompt, they receive the error “Boot configuration data store could not be opened.”
The majority of the time, a sub-error like “Access is denied” or “The requested system device cannot be found” is present along with this error. Since it has been confirmed to occur on Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and Windows 10, the problem is not specific to any one version of Windows.
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Describe BCDEdit.
Managing the Boot Configuration Data is done using the command-line programme BCDEdit (BCD). It includes a store for describing boot applications and their settings.
BCDEdit’s functionality allows for a wide range of uses, including the addition of boot menu enhancements, the modification of current shops, and the creation of brand-new shops from scratch.
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What LED to the Error message “Boot Configuration Data Store Could not be Opened”?
In order to figure out the cause of this issue, we looked at a variety of user reports and the solutions employed by those who were impacted. As it turns out, there are a few typical circumstances in which this specific issue will arise:
- The majority of times this error is reported, the problem actually arises because the Command Prompt that is being used to try to use the BCDEdit utility does not have admin access. Naturally, you can fix the problem by opening a Command Prompt window as an administrator if this scenario applies.
- This error might also appear if you try to boot from a partition that was initially created using a different type of partition type. Boot mode is different from partition type. You need to boot from the same kind of partition that was used to create the hard drive in order for BCDEdit to function properly.
This article will help you solve the “Boot configuration data store could not be opened” error by giving you a few troubleshooting tips that other users who have encountered a situation like yours have successfully used.
Since the methods are listed in order of effectiveness and severity, please use them in that order for the best results.
Method 1: Opening Command Prompt as Administrator
This particular problem typically arises as a result of a privilege issue. The BCDEdit is probably compelled to carry out an action that needs elevated privileges (admin access). If the sub-message for the error “Boot configuration data store could not be opened” is “Access is denied,” then this is even more likely.
Many users who have run into this exact error message have been able to finish the BCDEdit operation by starting Command Prompt with administrative rights. How to do it is as follows:
- To bring up the Run dialogue box, press Windows key + R.
- To open an elevated Command Prompt, type “cmd” and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
- Click Yes to grant administrative privileges when the UAC (User Account Control) prompts you to do so.
- Carry out the same action that caused the “Boot configuration data store could not be opened” error before inside the elevated Command Prompt to see if the issue has been fixed.
Continue to the method below in case you’re still getting the same error message.
Method 2: Modifying the Boot Mode.
As a few affected users have noted, for BCDEdit to function as intended, you must ensure that the machine is booting from the same time of partition that the hard drive was created with. The BIOS mode must be changed in order to accomplish this quickly.
This process is carried out through the BIOS settings, but it will vary from computer to computer depending on the brand of the motherboard and the BIOS version it has.
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I’ve got a general guide that ought to get you there regardless of the motherboard maker:
- As soon as your computer starts, press the Setup key (also known as the boot key). The setup key is usually indicated on the first screen, but in case you don’t see it, it’s either one of the F keys (F2, F4, F6, F8, etc.), the Del key (for Dell computers), or the Esc key.
- After entering the BIOS settings, locate the Boot tab and set the Boot Mode to the method used to create the partition. It is Legacy BIOS in this instance.
- Restart your computer after changing the boot mode and saving the settings that are in place.
- Try the BCDEdit command once more to see if you still receive the error message “Boot configuration data store could not be opened.”
