220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A Windows 10 computer fails to boot with the error 'Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file is missing.' The technician boots into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Which command should the technician use to rebuild the BCD?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse bootrec /fixboot (which fixes the boot sector) with rebuilding the BCD, but the BCD is a separate file that requires /rebuildbcd to be recreated.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
bootrec /rebuildbcd
The 'Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file is missing' error indicates that the BCD store, which contains boot-time configuration parameters, is corrupted or missing. The bootrec /rebuildbcd command scans all drives for Windows installations and prompts the user to add them to a new BCD store, effectively rebuilding it. This is the correct tool for this specific error because it directly addresses the missing or corrupted BCD file.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
bootrec /fixboot
Why it's wrong here
bootrec /fixboot rewrites the boot sector of the system partition, which is the first sector of an active volume and typically contains code to load bootmgr. However, it does not create or repair the BCD store; if the BCD file is missing, the boot manager will still fail after the boot sector loads, so this command doesn't address the root cause. It is useful for boot-sector corruption but not for a missing or empty BCD.
- ✗
bootrec /fixmbr
Why it's wrong here
bootrec /fixmbr repairs the Master Boot Record on the system drive by rewriting the MBR's bootstrap code without altering the partition table. This fixes errors like 'Invalid partition table' or corrupted MBR code, but a missing BCD is a separate logical issue in the boot manager's configuration. The MBR loads the active partition's boot sector, which then tries to read the BCD; if the BCD is absent, /fixmbr leaves the error unresolved.
- ✓
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Why this is correct
bootrec /rebuildbcd scans all disk partitions for known Windows installations and then offers to add each found installation to a newly created BCD store. This directly addresses the 'missing BCD' scenario because it constructs a fresh Boot Configuration Data file, replacing the absent or corrupt one. It is the most appropriate command when the boot error indicates that Windows cannot locate its boot configuration.
- ✗
bcdedit /export
Why it's wrong here
bcdedit /export backs up the current BCD store to a specified file, preserving the existing boot entries. If the BCD is already missing, there is no store to export, and the command cannot generate a new one from scratch. This option is a maintenance or backup step after a repair, not a repair itself, so it fails to resolve the immediate boot failure.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
Key term
Recovery
Recovery is the process of restoring systems, data, and operations after a security incident, failure, or disaster to return to normal functioning.
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Same concept, more angles
4 more ways this is tested on 220-1102
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A Windows 10 computer fails to boot with the error message 'The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible.' The technician suspects a problem with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). Which command should the technician use from the Windows Recovery Environment command prompt to repair the BCD?
medium- ✓ A.bootrec /rebuildbcd
- B.sfc /scannow
- C.chkdsk /f
- D.DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Why A: The bootrec /rebuildbcd command scans all drives for Windows installations and allows the technician to rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, which is the correct fix when the BCD is missing or corrupted. This directly addresses the error 'The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible,' which indicates the boot loader cannot locate or read the BCD. The command is run from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) command prompt, making it the appropriate tool for this scenario.
Variation 2. A Windows 10 computer fails to boot and displays the error: 'Bootmgr is missing'. The technician boots from a Windows installation media. Which command should the technician use to repair the boot configuration data (BCD)?
easy- A.bcdedit /rebuildbcd
- B.bootrec /fixmbr
- ✓ C.bootrec /rebuildbcd
- D.sfc /scannow
Why C: The 'Bootmgr is missing' error indicates that the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store is corrupted or missing. Booting from Windows installation media and using `bootrec /rebuildbcd` scans all drives for known Windows installations and prompts the technician to add them to a new BCD store, directly repairing the boot configuration.
Variation 3. A user's Windows 10 workstation fails to boot and displays the error 'Bootmgr is missing'. The technician boots from Windows recovery media and opens a command prompt. Which command should the technician run first to rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store?
hard- A.bootrec /fixmbr
- B.bootrec /fixboot
- ✓ C.bootrec /rebuildbcd
- D.bootrec /scanos
Why C: The correct first command is `bootrec /rebuildbcd` because it scans all drives for Windows installations and prompts the user to add them to a new BCD store, directly addressing the 'Bootmgr is missing' error caused by a missing or corrupted BCD. This command is the most targeted approach to rebuild the boot configuration data that Windows Boot Manager requires to locate and load the operating system.
Variation 4. A technician suspects that the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) on a Windows 10 computer is corrupt, preventing the system from booting. The technician boots from Windows 10 installation media and opens a command prompt. Which command should be used to rebuild the BCD?
medium- ✓ A.bootrec /rebuildbcd
- B.bootrec /fixmbr
- C.bootrec /fixboot
- D.sfc /scannow
Why A: The `bootrec /rebuildbcd` command scans all disks for Windows installations and prompts the user to add them to the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, effectively rebuilding a corrupt BCD. This is the correct tool when the BCD is damaged or missing, as it directly addresses the boot configuration store rather than the master boot record or system files.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1102 exam.