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How to fix Bad System Config Info error on Windows

Did you get the "Bad System Config Info" error? In this post we will tell you what it is, what causes it, and how to fix it.
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Published onMay 4, 2022

You are minding your business, doing whatever you do online, when a terrifying blue screen appears on your display. What does this mean? If it’s the Bad System Config Info error, we will tell you in this post what it is, what causes it, and how to fix it.

Read more: Should you upgrade to Windows 11?

What is the “Bad System Config Info” error?

The Bad System Config Info error is one of the most frequent “blue screen of death” errors on Windows 10, 8, and 7. It is a bug check error message that tells you Windows has trouble processing something. Finding the culprit is usually the hard part, but it is often an easily fixable issue.


What causes the “Bad System Config Info” error?

As mentioned above, possible reasons for this error message are multiple. Here are the most popular.

  • Damaged hard drive
  • Damaged RAM
  • New, corrupted, or missing drivers
  • Damaged Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
  • Faulty Windows registry settings
  • Faulty Windows system files.

How to fix the “Bad System Config Info” error on Windows 10

Let’s get rid of that blue screen of death, shall we? As mentioned above, there are many potential reasons for the error. As such, there are quite a few ways to try and fix this issue. If it’s a software issue, you will be able to fix it relatively easily. If it’s a hardware issue, you may need to get your computer serviced and pay for some parts to be repaired or replaced. Here are some of the most common solutions for getting rid of this error message.

Update Windows and drivers

Running your device on old software can often create issues, including the dreaded “Bad System Config Info” error. At the very least, your machine won’t be running optimally.

Check if any Windows updates are available by going to Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update>Check for updates. It’s also important to keep all drivers up to date, and you can grab them from the manufacturer’s website.

Check your hardware

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Did you recently replace your RAM, hard drive, or other hardware? Have you dropped your computer? Check your hardware for any apparent signs of damage, and replace it if necessary.

Fix Windows registry

As mentioned above, Windows registry issues are a common cause of the “Bad System Config Info” error message.

Insert a Windows 10 installation DVD or flash drive (here is a guide for creating one), and boot from it. Doing this is different on many computers. Google is your friend.

When the welcome screen appears, click Next. Select Repair your computer. On the repair screen, click Troubleshoot. Advanced Options>Command Prompt.

Windows 10 choose troubleshoot to to fix "Bad System Config Info" error on Windows 10

The Troubleshoot screen will show up next, with options. Click Advanced options.

Windows 10 choose advanced options

We need to access the command prompt here to enter the commands that will help fix this issue. Click Command prompt to proceed.

Windows 10 Advanced options command prompt to fix "Bad System Config Info" error on Windows 10

Once the command prompt is open, enter these commands one by one. Press enter after every command to execute it.

Code
CD C:WindowsSystem32config

ren C:WindowsSystem32configDEFAULT DEFAULT.old

ren C:WindowsSystem32configSAM SAM.old

ren C:WindowsSystem32configSECURITY SECURITY.old

ren C:WindowsSystem32configSOFTWARE SOFTWARE.old

ren C:WindowsSystem32configSYSTEM SYSTEM.old

These command lines have renamed folders that can no longer be used. Now it’s time to insert the new ones.

Code
copy C:WindowsSystem32configRegBackDEFAULT C:WindowsSystem32config

copy C:WindowsSystem32configRegBackSAM C:WindowsSystem32config

copy C:WindowsSystem32configRegBackSECURITY C:WindowsSystem32config

copy C:WindowsSystem32configRegBackSYSTEM C:WindowsSystem32config

copy C:WindowsSystem32configRegBackSOFTWARE C:WindowsSystem32config

Close the Command Prompt and restart the computer. If the issue was with the Windows registry, you should be set.

See more: How to take a screenshot in Windows 10

Fix Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

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Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority
  • Insert the Windows 10 installation DVD or flash drive (here is a guide for creating one).
  • Boot from the DVD or flash drive. Doing this is different on many computers. Google is your friend.
  • When the welcome screen appears, click Next.
  • Select Repair your computer.
  • Select Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Command Prompt.
  • Enter the following commands:
Code
bootrec /repairbcd

bootrec /osscan

bootrec /repairmbr 
  • Close the Command Prompt and restart the computer. If this was the issue, you should be set.

Repair system configuration with bcdedit command

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Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority

It could be possible your system configuration has the wrong information. If the RAM amount, number of processor cores, and other information don’t match, an error message will appear.

  • Insert a Windows 10 installation DVD or flash drive (here is a guide for creating one).
  • Boot from the DVD or flash drive. Doing this is different on many computers. Google is your friend.
  • When the welcome screen appears, click Next.
  • Select Repair your computer.
  • Select Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Command Prompt.
  • Enter the following commands:
Code
bcdedit/deletevalue {default} numproc

bcdedit/deletevalue {default} truncatememory
  • Close the Command Prompt and restart the computer. If this was the issue, you should be set.

See more: How to text from Windows 10 using an Android phone

Perform a System Restore

As the name entails, this will bring your computer to a previous state. You need to have backups to do this. If you do, you can take the computer to an earlier state where the problem was non-existent.

  • Open the Start menu.
  • Search for Create a restore point.
  • Click the top result to open System Properties.
  • Select System Restore and then Next.
  • Click the restore point you want to go back to.
  • Select Scan for affected programs.
  • Hit Next, and then Finish.
  • Let the computer do its work.

Factory data reset

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Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority

If all else fails, you can perform a factory data reset. This will essentially delete all files and restore the computer to the state when you turned it on for the first time (software-wise). Make sure to save all important personal files because this process will delete them forever.

  • Insert a Windows 10 Installation DVD or flash drive (here is a guide for creating one).
  • Boot from the DVD or flash drive. Doing this is different on many computers. Google is your friend.
  • When the welcome screen appears, click Next.
  • Select Repair your computer.
  • Select Troubleshoot>Reset this PC>Remove everything > Only the drive where Windows is installed > Just remove my files.
  • Hit the Reset button and let the computer do its thing.

A reset should take care of any possible software issues causing the Bad System Config Info error.


See more: How to use notifications in Windows 10

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