How to Fix BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO on Windows?

The BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error that mainly occurs when the registry setting files are damaged or corrupted. You can also encounter this issue if there is a problem with the bootloader or the Windows system files.

BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO on Windows
BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO on Windows Fix

If you are facing this error, you won’t be allowed to reset your Windows, making this error very tricky to resolve. Therefore, you will have to use Windows recovery environment mode to execute the following methods.

1. Restore Registry Files From RegBack

The first method is to restore the registry files. The config folder is also known to be a database of the registry files, and you cannot delete it normally as the folder is under the system’s control.

Regback is a folder for Windows to automatically store the registry files as a backup so the user can restore them if something bad happens to Windows. So to fix this issue, we need to restore the files from the regback folder via the command prompt using the Windows Preinstallation Environment. To do so:

  1. Completely turn off your computer, then turn it on again; when you see the Windows logo turn off your system again.
  2. Repeat the step above at least 3 times to trigger the automatic repair or Recovery Environment
  3. If you see Preparing Automatic Repair, wait for it to complete, then Go to Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.

    Navigating To Windows Recovery Environment Troubleshoot Settings
    Navigating To Windows Recovery Environment Troubleshoot Settings
  4. Click the Command Prompt to open the terminal
    Opening Command Prompt From Windows Recovery Environment
    Opening Command Prompt From Windows Recovery Environment
  5. Wait for your computer to restart
  6. After that, type C: or other disk letters to navigate into the system directory
  7. Type DIR to ensure that this is your system disk
  8. If you see the Windows folder, it is your system disk. Otherwise, change the disk letter and again type DIR
    Navigating To OS Disk
    Navigating To OS Disk
  9. After finding the system disk, type the following command and replace X in the command with your system disk, then hit Enter
    cd X:\Windows\System32\config
    Navigating To Windows Config Folder
    Navigating To Windows Config Folder
  10. After navigating to the config folder, type the following command to make a folder named backup
    md backup
    Making A Backup Folder To Copy All The Config Files
    Making A Backup Folder To Copy All The Config Files
  11. Once you have created a folder, now type the following command to copy all the config files in the backup folder and hit Enter
    copy  *.*  backup
    Copying All The Config Files To The Backup Folder
    Copying All The Config Files To The Backup Folder
  12. After that, go to the Regback folder by typing the command mentioned below
    cd regback
  13. Now copy all the registry files and replace them with the files under the config folder by entering the following command
    copy  *.*  ..
  14. After entering the command, you will be asked for the confirmation; type A to overwrite all the files
    Replacing The Regback Folder Files With The Corrupted Config Files
    Replacing The Regback Folder Files With The Corrupted Config Files
  15. Once done, type exit and reboot your computer to check if the issue is fixed.

2. Use a System Restore (if available)

You can use the System Restore utility to return to a point where you were not encountering this issue. However, this utility requires a restore point that must be created before you were facing this issue.

System Restore takes a snapshot of the Windows and registry files to take back the user when something bad happens. Although, creating a restore point is a manual process some driver updating programs automatically create a restore point for you without letting you know, therefore, it is worth checking if any restore points are available.

  1. To use the system restore point, switch on your computer and wait till the Windows logo appears
  2. Turn off your computer when you see the Windows logo
  3. Repeat this process three times to open Windows Preinstallation mode
  4. If the startup repair failed to fix your issue, Go to Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options
  5. Click on System Restore and click Next

    Using System Restore Utility From Windows Recovery Environment
    Using System Restore Utility From Windows Recovery Environment
  6. Select the restore point and click Next

    Selecting Recently Created Restore Point
    Selecting Recently Created Restore Point
  7. Once done, click Finish to restore your computer
    Restoring Windows To A Previous State Using System Restore
    Restoring Windows To A Previous State Using System Restore
  8. Once done, the issue should be fixed.

3. Repair the Bootloader

Bootload is a utility that starts at the beginning when the computer turns on. It is responsible for booting the system images. You might be encountering this issue due to a corrupted bootloader. A corrupted bootloader will not let the Windows boot properly. Therefore, try fixing the bootloader with the help of the following steps:

  1. Click the Advanced Options when the automatic repair returns the error message
  2. Then, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options
  3. Then, click Command Prompt
  4. Your computer will restart and you will need to sign in with your local or Microsoft account to get the command prompt
  5. Now paste the following commands one by one and hit Enter to fix the bootloader
    bootrec /fixmbr 
    bootrec /fixboot
    Executing Bootrec Commands
    Executing Bootrec Commands
  6. If you receive the error Access is Denied, then type the following command
    bootsect /nt60 sys
    If you want to know what this command does, please refer to our article where we explained what is bootsec.exe along with examples of execution of this command.
  7. After that, continue with the remaining commands mentioned below
    bootrec /fixboot
    bcdedit / export c:\ bcdbackup
    attrib c:\boot\bcd - h - r- s
    ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
    Fixing Bootloader
    Fixing Bootloader
  8. After that, rebuild the bootloader by typing the command
    bootrec / rebuildbcd
  9. Type A to add the installation to the boot list
    Rebuilding Bootloader
    Rebuilding Bootloader
  10. Once done, restart your computer to check if the issue is fixed.

4. Reinstall Windows

If all the methods fail to fix this issue, the last solution you could try is to reinstall Windows as your Windows files might have some problem that was not repaired. Even though resetting the computer fixes all the software issues, you might get an error if you try to reset your computer. Therefore, try reinstalling Windows by following the method mentioned in the article to eliminate this error message.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hamza Mohammad Anwar


Hamza Mohammad Anwar is an intermediate JavaScript web developer with a focus on developing high-performance applications using MERN technologies. His skill set includes expertise in ReactJS, MongoDB, Express NodeJS, and other related technologies. Hamza is also a Google IT Certified professional, which highlights his competence in IT support. As an avid problem-solver, he recreates errors on his computer to troubleshoot and find solutions to various technical issues.