Windows Boot Error 0xC0000098 — BCD Missing OS Entry

Windows boot error 0xC0000098 indicates the Boot Configuration Data does not contain a valid OS entry, preventing Windows from identifying which operating system to start. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: Error 0xC0000098: 'The Windows Boot Configuration Data file does not contain a valid OS entry'. The BCD store exists but has no entry pointing to a Windows installation. Different from 0xC0000034 where the BCD file itself is missing. Can occur after dual-boot removal, partition changes, or failed Windows repair. The Windows installation still exists on disk — only the boot pointer is lost. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: BCD OS entry deleted during dual-boot removal (e.g., removing Linux GRUB). Partition letter assignments changed, making BCD entries point to wrong locations. Failed Windows repair or startup fix that removed the OS entry. Disk cloning or partition resizing changing volume offsets. Corruption of the BCD store during power loss. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Boot from Windows installation USB > Repair your computer > Command Prompt. Run: bootrec /rebuildbcd — it should find the Windows installation and offer to add it. If rebuildbcd finds 0 installations: verify with dir C:\Windows to confirm Windows exists. Manually add entry: bcdboot C:\Windows /s S: /f ALL (where S: is the system partition). If the drive letter is wrong: use diskpart > list volume to find the correct Windows partition. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Windows Error Codes collection on Error Codes Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.