The Windows operating system has many utilities that run in the background. Bcdedit.exe is one such program that ensures the proper functioning of your PC.This article covers bcddit.exe – what is it? Is it a virus or malware?
The Windows operating system combines several background utilities that work together to keep your PC running smoothly. Bcdedit.exe is one of the background programs that starts automatically when your PC is powered on.
BcdEdit.exe stands for Boot Configuration Data Editor. It is a command line tool responsible for managing boot configuration data files.
That is, the task of Bcdedit.exe is to add boot menu options, create new boot configuration stores, and modify existing boot configuration stores. If corrupted, the Bcdedit.exe system file can cause a Windows PC to fail to start.
This article provides the ultimate guide to everything you need to know bcddit.exe – what is it? Is it a virus or malware? Read on to find out…
What is Bcdedit.exe?
Bcdedit.exe is the executable utility part of the Windows operating system. The original version of this software program was developed by Beyondsoft. BCD is an acronym that stands for Boot Configuration Data. Boot configuration data provides storage to hold boot applications and boot application data.
Bcdedit.exe is a utility used as a command line utility for managing BCD storage on a PC. This OS utility can be used to perform tasks such as generating new boot configuration data stores, creating new boot menu options, and editing existing stores on Windows computers.
The program is executable (it has a .EXE extension) and therefore vulnerable to malicious or cloned variants that could pose a real threat to your computer.
Like all genuine system files, Bcdedit.exe is located in the system32 folder. It is a highly protected system utility and you need administrator rights before making any changes to Bcdedit.exe. Windows utilities typically take up about 1.31 MB of storage space on your hard drive.
Is bcdedit.exe a virus or malware?
Bcdedit.exe is a trusted utility integrated into the Windows operating system. This file is protected by administrator rights to ensure that third parties cannot easily gain unauthorized access. The file can be corrupted or cloned to mask viruses and malware.
Here are some ways you can tell a genuine file from a virus or malware.
How to Verify if Bcdedit.exe is Genuine or a Virus
There are several ways to check if Bcdedit.exe on your PC is a genuine virus. In this post, we focus on the most commonly used methods:
Method 1: Check the Bcdedit.exe file location via Program Files
You can verify the authenticity of the bcdedit.exe file by checking that it is in its designated system file location.
The specified file path of genuine bcdedit.exe is “C:\Windows\System32\”. You can find the location of the BCD Editor utility on your Windows PC by following the steps below.
step 1: Go to your drive partition and open the Windows OS partition. In most cases this will be your drive C.
Step 2: Find the Windows folder and open it by double-clicking. Scroll again until you find the System32 folder and open it.
Step 3: The BCD editor should be in the System32 folder. You can scroll until you find the folder named “Bcdedit”.
Method 2: View the file location through the task manager
You can also verify the location of the program files through the Task Manager utility. Please follow the steps below to complete:
step 1: according to Ctrl + Alt + Del key, and from the Smart Display options, select Task Manager.
Step 2: In the Task Manager window, click the Details tab, and scroll through the list of running programs until you find Bcdedit.exe.
Step 3: right click on it and select Open file location from options.
The real Bcdedit.exe file should be located at C:\Windows\System32\ folder. If your PC is located elsewhere, it may be a virus or malware. In this case, consider deleting the file and running a system scan with antivirus software immediately.
Method 3: Check Bcdedit.exe digital signature through Task Manager
This method is thorough because you can verify the authenticity of your BCD editor by checking with the program’s author. Follow the steps below to verify the digital signature of the BCD editor program.
step 1: open your drive Partition C and find the Windows folder.Open the Windows folder and find System32 folder on your PC.
Step 2: Open the System32 folder and scroll down to find “bcddit’ program.
Step 3: Right-click bcdedit.exe and select the Properties option from the menu list.wait until characteristic A window will pop up on the screen.
the fourth step: go digital signature tab and click it. Check and confirm that your program’s digital signature is from Microsoft Inc.
Can I disable Bcdedit.exe?
It is strongly recommended that you keep this program file running on your PC. Your PC’s boot process relies on this program, and removing it from your operating system may cause your PC to fail to boot.
However, if you are sure that the file is a virus disguised as a genuine system file, you can go ahead and disable it. Just be sure not to delete the genuine Bcdedit.exe program file. Otherwise, your PC will not turn on.
How to Modify Bcdedit.exe in Windows 10/11
As mentioned earlier, you can modify the Bcdedit.exe program file. Here are some methods you can use to accomplish this task:
Method 1: Use Startup and Recovery
step 1: right click on your windows start button and select set up options.
Step 2: In the settings window, click Update and Security Continue to select previous options Recovery options† go advanced option and click Reboot now.
Step 3: When your PC starts restarting, select Startup Options and click Troubleshooting Options.click advanced options Then click Startup Settings.
Method 2: Use MSConfig.exe
step 1: click Windows+R key to open Run Utilities on Windows operating systems.
Step 2: Types of ‘MSConfig‘ then hit Enter.
Step 3: Select the Boot tab on the new window and choose your preferred boot modification.
the fourth step: After you have finished modifying the Bcdedit.exe file, go ahead and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Method 3: BCD WMI provider
step 1: Start your PC and wait for Windows to start loading, then long press the power button to turn it off.Wait at least five seconds, then start your PC again to enter recovery mode†
Step 2: go Advanced recovery options and select cmd prompt options† You can edit BCD using command line tools.
Step 3: After successfully modifying the Bcdedit.exe file, restart the PC to save the changes.
Common Bcdedit.exe commands that operate on storage
- /Createstore – You can use this action to create a new empty boot configuration datastore. It is important to note that this command does not create new system storage.
- /Export – You can use this action to export and transfer the contents of the system file storage. You can use the exported data later.
- /system store – You can use this action to set your preferred system storage device. Changes made with this action only affect EFI-based systems.
Bcdedit.exe commands that operate on entries in the store
- /copy – This action creates a copy of the specified boot entry in system storage.
- /create – You can use this function to create a new entry for your boot configuration data store.
- /Mirror – This function copies entries into your data store.
Bcdedit.exe command to control the boot manager
- /boot sequence – Use this function to specify a one-time display order. The command can then be used during the next boot process.
- /display order – You can use this feature to display your current boot sequence during boot.
- /pause – This function displays the timeout (in seconds) before the default setting starts.
Bcdedit.exe command to start the application’s emergency management service
- /BootEms – You can use this action to disable or enable your emergency management service.
- /ems – You can use this feature to disable or enable emergency management services for specific startup items on your PC.
- /Ems settings – You can use this function to set up a global emergency management service for your PC.
common problem
Q: What is Bcdedit.exe?
This is a command line utility that is preinstalled in the Windows operating system. You can use program utilities to edit or modify your BCD.
Q: How to use Bcdedit.exe?
You can modify the BCD configuration in the PC using the boot and recovery options in the Windows operating system.
Q: Where is Bcdedit.exe located?
The specified file location for genuine Bcdedit.exe is in the System32 folder within the Windows Program Files folder on the PC. A virus program with the same name will be located anywhere other than the C:\Windows\System32\ folder.