How to Fix Error Code 0xc0000225 in Windows 10/11

What Is Error 0xc0000225

0xc0000225 is a Windows boot error that happens when the system cannot find the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) or necessary files during startup. When this error occurs, one of the following messages is displayed on the screen:

• An unexpected error has occurred.
• A required device isn’t connected or can’t be accessed.
• Your PC/Device needs to be repaired.
• The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors.
• The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible.
• The operating system couldn’t be loaded because a critical system driver is missing or contains errors.
• The operating system couldn’t be loaded because the system registry file is missing or contains errors.

Generally, you may encounter this error in the following situations:

• The PC was forcefully shut down while the system update was in progress.
• A malware attack interrupted the Windows update process.
• The Windows upgrade process was interrupted before it could finish.
• A corrupted driver or application was recently installed on the system. 

Additionally, it is essential to learn the possible causes and useful solutions.

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Common Causes of Error 0xc0000225 in Windows 10/11

Error code 0xc0000225 can be caused by several factors, including:

• Corrupted system files
• Faulty or misconfigured boot configuration data
• A damaged hard drive or loose connection
• Changes in BIOS/UEFI settings
• Improper shutdowns
• Malware infections
• Failed or interrupted Windows Updates

Bonus Tip: Back up Important Data

It is highly recommended to use data backup software to back up important data to avoid data loss. To do that, MiniTool ShadowMaker is what you need.

This PC backup software offers a professional Backup feature to perform data backup and system backup with ease. Here’s how to use it to back up data:

Step 1. Connect a USB flash drive to a normal computer. Then, download and install MiniTool ShadowMaker on this PC.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 2. Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker, register for a Pro or higher edition, and then enter its main interface.

Step 3. Go to Tools and choose Media Builder.

Step 4. Select WinPE-based media with MiniTool plug-in, choose USB Flash Drive, and then click Yes in the prompted window.

Step 5. Once done, click Finish to confirm.

Step 6. Connect the newly created USB bootable drive to the unbootable computer. Then, boot your PC into the BIOS menu.

Step 7. Go to the Boot tab, set the USB drive as the primary boot drive, and save the changes.

Step 8. In the MiniTool recovery environment, decide whether to change the screen resolution and launch MiniTool ShadowMaker.

Step 9. In MiniTool ShadowMaker’s main interface, select Backup from the left panel.

Step 10. Go to SOURCE and select Folders and Files.

Step 11. Choose the files that you want to back up and click OK.

Step 12. Go to DESTINATION, select a target location to save the backup file, and then click OK.

Step 13. Click Back Up Now and OK sequentially to confirm to perform the backup operation.

Once done, all the selected important data is backed up successfully.

How to Fix Error 0xc0000225 in Windows 10/11

To fix error 0xc0000225 on Windows 10/11, try running Startup Repair in WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment). If that fails, rebuild the BCD, check the disk for errors, run SFC, set the drive as active, disable Secure Boot, perform a system restore, or consider a clean installation.

Here’s the detailed breakdown:

Access WinRE

Before trying advanced methods to fix the error code 0xc0000225 in Windows 10/11, access WinRE first.

To boot into this page, power on, and when the Windows logo appears, hold the power button to force a shutdown. Repeat this 2–3 times to trigger Automatic Repair. Then, choose Advanced options >Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.

If this does not work, create a Windows bootable USB flash drive with the following steps:

Step 1. Plug a blank USB flash drive (at least 8 GB) into your PC.

Step 2. Download the official Windows 11 or Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from the Microsoft website.

• Windows 10
• Windows 11

Step 3. Run the downloaded file and accept the license terms.

Step 4. Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click Next. (If you are using the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool, skip this step.)

Step 5. Select your preferred language, edition, and architecture (64-bit is standard).

Step 6. Select USB flash drive and click Next. Then, choose your USB drive from the list and click Next.

Step 7. The tool will download the necessary files and create the bootable media. Once complete, click Finish.

Step 8. Insert the Windows installation USB flash drive into the computer. Then, restart your PC from the drive.

Step 9. In the initial Windows Setup screen, select your language and keyboard preferences, then click Next.

Step 10. Choose a repair option.

• For Windows 10:Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left corner.
• For Windows 11: Select Repair my PC and click Next. Then, choose a keyboard layout. After that, the Choose an option screen appears.

# 1. Run Startup Repair

Startup Repair is a built-in tool in Windows that automatically diagnoses and fixes common issues preventing Windows from booting properly. So, use this tool to troubleshoot the error code 0xc0000225 with the following steps:

Step 1. Boot into WinRE and enter the Choose an option screen.

Step 2. Select Troubleshoot.

Step 3. Choose Advanced options or directly click Startup Repair.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix the error.

# 2. Run SFC Scan

The Windows error code 0xc0000225 can occur due to corrupted system files. Thus, perform an SFC scan to fix this error. SFC scans, verifies, and repairs corrupted, damaged, or missing system files. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1. Select Troubleshoot in the Choose an option page.

Step 2. Choose Command Prompt.

Step 3. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Step 4. If the command fails, execute the command sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\windows to run SFC in offline mode by specifying the boot and Windows directories. (Replace C: with the drive letter of your Windows installation, which may be D: or E: in WinRE).

Step 5. If the SFC scan also fails to run, the component store may be corrupted. Thus, run: dism /image:C:\ /cleanup-image /restorehealth to fix it. Once done, run sfc /scannow again to verify.

# 3. Check Disk Integrity (CHKDSK)

Hard drive issues can also cause the Windows error code 0xc0000225. To fix this error, run a CHKDSK scan.

CHKDSK is a Windows command-line utility that scans hard drives for file system corruption, logical errors, and physical bad sectors.

Step 1. Launch the Command Prompt window.

Step 2. Type chkdsk c: /f /r and press Enter.

• /f: Fixes errors on the disk.
• /r: Locates bad sectors and attempts to recover readable information, while also includes the functionality of /f.

Step 3. The process will take some time to complete. Once finished, close the Command Prompt window and restart your system to check if the error has been resolved.

# 4. Rebuild BCD

The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file is a secure, firmware-independent database used by Windows (starting from Vista) to manage boot-time settings and define the boot menu.

If the BCD file is faulty or misconfigured, the error message “Your PC/device needs to be repaired 0xc0000225” may occur. To resolve this issue, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1. Launch the Command Prompt window.

Step 2. Execute the below-listed commands: (Press the Enter key on your keyboard after each command.)

• bootrec /scans
• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /rebuildbcd

Step 3. Restart your computer to check if the error code 0xc0000225 occurs again.

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# 5. Set as Active

In an older system, the active partition may be configured incorrectly due to a damaged MBR, causing the error code 0xc0000225.

To resolve this error, set the correct active partition through these steps:

Step 1. Launch the Command Prompt window.

Step 2. Type diskpart and press Enter.

Step 3. Type list disk and press Enter to list all the disks connected to your computer.

Step 4. Select the disk where Windows is installed with the command: select disk X. Replace X with the corresponding disk number.

Step 5. Type list partition and press Enter to list the partitions in the selected disk.

Step 6. Type select partition X to select the partition you need to set as active. Replace X with the correct partition number.

Step 7. Once selected, type active in it and press Enter to make the partition active.

# 6. Perform a System Restore

Performing a system restore can revert Windows to the status when the error code 0xc0000225 hadn’t occurred. If you have available restore points, try running System Restore with the following steps:

Step 1. In the Choose an option page of WinRE, click Troubleshoot.

Step 2. Choose System Restore in the Advanced options page.

Step 3. Select a target operating system, like Windows 10 or Windows 11. Or, choose your account and enter the password if prompted.

Step 4. Click Next in the prompted System Restore window.

Step 5. Select a suitable restore point from the list and click Next.

Step 6. On the next page, confirm your restore point information, and then click Finish and Yes sequentially to execute the operation.

# 7. Do a Clean Install

If none of the above methods can help you solve the error 0xc0000225, try a clean install.

A clean install wipes your hard drive, erasing all data, settings, and apps to install a fresh operating system.

Here’s how to perform that:

Step 1. Insert the created Windows installation media into your PC. Then, boot from it.

Step 2. In the pop-up Windows Setup screen, choose your language and keyboard preferences, then click Next.

Step 3. Click Install now. To clean install Windows 11, choose Install Windows 11, select I agree everything will be deleted including files, apps, and settings, and click Next.

Step 4. Click I don’t have a product key.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the clean installation. Once complete, the error 0xc0000225 is addressed.

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Bottom Line

This post provides several useful methods to fix error code 0xc0000225, including running Startup Repair, rebuilding BCD, running SFC, and performing a system restore.

It is recommended to back up your important data via MiniTool ShadowMaker before trying these advanced methods. Furthermore, if you encounter issues while using this MiniTool software, contact us via [email protected].

0xc0000225 FAQ