Easy Fix: 0xc0000225 With & Without Windows Installation USB

Understanding the Error before Troubleshooting

Error code 0xc0000225 indicates a critical Boot Configuration Data (BCD) issue; the symptom is an inability to boot into Windows with a bluescreen error. The BCD is essential for starting Windows because it holds the information needed to boot the operating system. In my experience, this often stems from:
1. Primarily caused by issues with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD).
2. Corrupted system files.
3. Misconfigured settings.
4. Problems with the boot sector.

First Step: Accessing the Repairing Environment

When encountering error code 0xc0000225, I found there are 2 methods to troubleshoot the issue: With a Windows booted USB drive and without it.

1. Attempt Windows Recovery Environment (Without USB)

This involves forcing a startup repair. Try pressing F1 key or other indicated keys during startup to access recovery options.

Or if it fails repeatedly, power the computer on and off using the power button, typically two to three times.
This should trigger the ‘Diagnosing your PC’ screen.

Sometimes, when Windows tries to repair itself automatically, you might not see the ‘Advanced options’ button on the blue screen, as in the above GIF. However, it’s still worth giving it a try first, this method to fix error 0xc0000225. If you do see the ‘Advanced options’ screen, great! You can skip the next section “2. Use Windows Bootable USB (Recommended)” where we use a Windows USB drive and go straight to the “Second Step: The Boot Configuration Data Challenge“. Let’s see if you get lucky!

2. Use Windows Bootable USB (Recommended)

If the forced startup repair without bootable USB fails, proceed with a bootable Windows installation USB created using another PC. This is the more reliable method in my experience for resolving the error 0xc0000225. Refer to the below guide if you need reference to boot Windows installation to a USB:

How to Create a Bootable USB in Windows Using CMD

When you start your computer using the Windows installation USB, wait for the “Windows Setup” screen to appear. Check that your language settings are correct and click “Next.” On the “Install now” screen, click “Repair your computer” in the lower-left corner.

Then click on Troubleshoot and then on Advanced options as in the below screenshots:

Second Step: The Boot Configuration Data Challenge

In the second step, we’ll try different methods to fix error 0xc0000225 and recover your system.

Running Startup Repair

The first thing I suggest you try is ‘Startup repair’ because error code 0xc0000225 often indicates a problem with the Windows boot process. The feature is designed to automatically diagnose and fix common boot-related issues. To do that;

In the Advanced options screen, click “Startup Repair“:

Follow the on-screen instructions in the Startup Repair process, and after you finish it, restart your computer to see if the error code 0xc0000225 is resolved. If not, try the next method.

SFC Scan to Repair System Files

Though the primary issue is often BCD corruption, an SFC scan is a vital step. It ensures Windows is in a healthy state, crucial for effective subsequent repairs. Therefore, I suggest this as the second troubleshooting method in our sequence to resolve error code 0xc0000225. To do that,

In the Advanced options screen, click “Command Prompt“:

Then in the command prompt run the following command:

sfc /scannow

The SFC scan process can take some time to complete. Should an error occur during this process, please refer to the following guide: ‘Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation‘ for troubleshooting SFC related issues. After a successful scan, reboot the system and check the error status. If the error persists or SFC scan fails continuously, try the next method.

CHKDSK Scan to Fix Hard Disk Issues

Problems with your hard drive can interrupt the startup process and create the error code 0xc0000225 we’re trying to fix. Running CHKDSK command: chkdsk f: /f in the command prompt, can identify and repair file system errors that were preventing Windows from booting. To do that;

• In the Advanced options screen, click “Command Prompt“.
• Execute the below command in Command prompt:

chkdsk f: /f

After scanning successfully, close the command prompt and restart the machine. If the error persists, proceed to the next method.

Rebuilding Boot Configuration Data

If running SFC and CHKDSK doesn’t fix the problem, or if both commands fail, then rebuilding the BCD should be your next step.

“I mostly see that a corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is often the reason for error code 0xc0000225. Rebuilding the BCD usually fixes this problem.”

To rebuild the BCD, execute the below commands one by one in the command prompt:

bootrec /scanos

This command scans disks for missed Windows installations, aiding boot menu rebuild.

bootrec /fixmbr

This command repairs the MBR, which is essential for the system to locate the operating system, fixing corruption that prevents booting.

bootrec /fixboot

This command replaces the boot sector on your system partition with a new one. This can fix problems that stop your operating system from starting up.

bootrec /rebuildbcd

This command scans for compatible OS and allows you to rebuild the BCD store, which contains the boot menu and settings, resolving errors caused by a corrupted BCD.

Some people experience bootrec /fixboot returning an ‘Access is denied‘ error. This issue often arises from a problem with the EFI partition. It indicates that Windows cannot write the necessary boot information to the EFI partition, preventing the operating system from starting correctly. If you’re experiencing this error, skip to the section Addressing EFI Partition Issues.

If the commands are executed without any errors, as usual, try rebooting the machine after closing the command line.

Before you proceed to the next step, it’s crucial to identify your system’s partitioning scheme. If your partition scheme is UEFI/GPT, then you need to follow the “Addressing EFI Partition Issues” section. If your partition scheme is MBR, then you need to follow the “Addressing Active Partition Issues” section. Incorrectly following the wrong section can lead to further boot problems, and in some cases, data loss. Please ensure you are following the correct section.

Addressing EFI Partition Issues (For GPT/UEFI Systems)

As mentioned earlier, the ‘Access is denied‘ error you’re seeing with bootrec /fixboot likely indicates a problem with your EFI partition. Let’s walk through the solution together.

To access the Diskpart utility, use the following command:

diskpart

Diskpart utility allows us to manage disks and partitions. Now lists all the disks connected to your computer with the command:

list disk

Selects the disk where Windows is installed with the command:

select disk X

Important: Replace ‘X’ with the correct disk number. I typically observe that the Windows disk is disk 0, but it’s always a good idea to verify.

list volume

The above command will list all the volumes in the disk. Now select the EFI partition from these volumes with the command:

select volume X

EFI partition is typically a small partition formatted in FAT32. Make sure to replace ‘X’ in the above command with the correct volume number.

Assign a drive letter to the EFI partition with the command:

assign letter=X:

Replace the ‘X’ in the above command with the letter you preferred to give and make sure that the letter must not be used for any other partitions.

Now exit the diskpart utility with the command exit and copy the boot files to the EFI partition with the below commands:

exit

X:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bcdboot C:\Windows /s X: /f UEFI

Here also replace the ‘X’ with the correct letter before executing!. This command is the key to fixing the “Access is denied” error.

After completing these commands, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer. Hopefully, error 0xc0000225 is now fixed, and Windows should start without problems. If the previous steps didn’t work, skip to the System Restore section. This is your final option for fixing the 0xc0000225 error.

Addressing Active Partition Issues (For MBR Systems)

For those with older systems using MBR partitions, I have found that the active partition can become incorrect due to accidental changes or MBR corruption. Manually setting the correct active partition is a necessary step to attempt to resolve boot issues, including the 0xc0000225 error. To do that:

In the Advanced options screen, click “Command Prompt“.

Enter the following commands one by one:

diskpart

list disk

This will list all the disks in your machine. Then, select the disk containing the partition you want to set as active. This can be done with the below command:

select disk X

Here replace X with the number of your internal disk before you execute the command.

Then list the partitions in it with the below command:

list partition

Select the partition you need to set as Active partition with the below command:

select partition X 

Make sure to replace X with the correct partition number and execute. After that, type the below command to make it Active.

active

exit

You can now restart your computer. If the previous steps were successful, Windows should start normally, and the 0xc0000225 error should be resolved. If not, proceed to next method: System Restore.

Using System Restore (A Potential Final Solution)

If you’ve tried the previous methods and are still facing the 0xc0000225 error, System Restore might be your last resort. In some particularly stubborn cases, I have found this is the only way to get a system booting again, even if it means a potential partial data loss.

Once you’re in Advanced options, choose ‘System Restore‘.

This will start the System Restore wizard. You’ll be presented with a list of available restore points. Select a restore point that was created before you started experiencing the 0xc0000225 error. Ideally, choose the most recent restore point. If you don’t know when the issue started, choose the oldest restore point.

Confirm your selection and start the System Restore process. This might take some time, so be patient.

System Restore returns your computer’s system files, settings, and programs to how they were at a previous restore point. Anything you changed or installed after that restore point will be removed.

After the restore is complete, your computer will restart. Check if the 0xc0000225 error is gone.

This guide has provided you with a range of Windows troubleshooting tips, from basic checks to advanced solutions like EFI repair and System Restore, all aimed at resolving the 0xc0000225 error. While I have aimed to cover the most effective methods, there are times when a fresh installation of Windows might be necessary. If the problem continues, you might need to reinstall Windows. Remember that reinstalling Windows will erase all data on the Windows partition. I hope this guide has helped you. ☺️