Fix Windows Boot Error 0xc0000225 in Windows 10 or 8.1

Error 0xc0000225 usually appears before Windows starts and indicates that Windows cannot load the boot configuration or reach a required boot device. The exact cause can vary, so avoid changing firmware mode or partitions until you know how the PC was originally configured.

Support note: Windows 8.1 reached end of support on January 10, 2023, and Windows 10 reached end of normal support on October 14, 2025. These steps are retained for recovery of existing systems.

Method 1: Run Startup Repair

Enter Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). If necessary, boot from Windows installation or recovery media and select Repair your computer.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
Let Windows diagnose the boot configuration and restart the PC.

Startup Repair can repair several startup problems, including damaged Boot Configuration Data (BCD) and boot records.

Method 2: Rebuild the BCD when Startup Repair fails

Use this only if the error still points to boot configuration problems.

Open Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Scan for Windows installations:

bootrec /scanos

Rebuild the BCD store:

bootrec /rebuildbcd

If Windows is found, follow the prompt to add the installation to the boot list.
Restart the PC.

Method 3: Repair boot files with BCDBoot on Windows 10

BCDBoot can recreate boot-environment files from a known Windows installation. Drive letters in WinRE may differ from the letters you see in normal Windows, so identify the correct Windows volume first.

For example, if the Windows folder is on D: while you are in WinRE:

bcdboot D:\Windows

Do not assume the Windows installation is always C:. Avoid forcing /f UEFI, rewriting the MBR, or changing BIOS/UEFI mode unless you have confirmed the system’s partition and firmware layout.

If BitLocker protects the drive, you may need the recovery key before these tools can access the Windows volume.