How to Fix BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO (BSoD Error) in Windows 10

BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO is a BSOD error that can happen on Windows 10 and older Windows versions. It indicates corrupt or missing data that belongs to the system configuration, preventing you from using your computer.

The BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO stop code can be triggered by a problem with the BCD (Boot Configuration Data), registry settings, system memory, device drivers, insufficient disk space, or something else.

Before turning to a tech professional for help, follow our simple guidelines below. Besides saving a lot of money, you should be able to troubleshoot this BSOD error code without having to perform a Windows factory reset.

How to fix BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO

If you haven’t recently created a system restore point, we suggest doing it now. It saves you the trouble of reinstalling your entire operating system if you make any mistakes during troubleshooting.

Once doing so, get started with the next solutions.

1. Check your internal memory

The BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO error code usually indicates a RAM problem, like not enough allocated memory resources. However, you should be able to quickly check this using a built-in OS tool.

1. Close all running applications on your PC
2. Click the Start button, type Windows Memory Diagnostic, and press Enter
3. Click Restart now and check for problems

The software utility checks your computer and repairs any RAM issues it finds during Windows startup, so you just have to wait until the task is complete.

However, if you’re an experienced PC user that expects more information about the system memory, you should use MemTest instead of Windows Memory Diagnostic. It’s a more advanced tool.

2. Repair your hard disk and system files

A faulty hard drive or damaged system files could be the reason why you keep getting BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO on Windows 10. It means that you have to repair the underlying issue to make your operating system run error-free again.

Thankfully, you don’t need to set up any special tools on your PC since Windows 10 has three powerful utilities under its sleeve: CHKDSK (Check Disk), SFC (System File Checker), and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management).

Here’s how to use CHKDSK:

1. Press Win key+ R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as admin
2. If your operating system is installed on the C: drive, chkdsk c: /f. Otherwise, replace c: with the correct driver letter. Then, press Enter
3. Type y to confirm scheduling the disk checking job at the next system boot
4. Restart your computer and wait until CHKDSK completes its task

If you still get the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO stop code after running the Check Disk utility to fix HDD errors, then it could be a problem with your system files.

Here’s how to run SFC:

1. Open CMD with elevated rights and type sfc /scannow
2. Wait until all issues are fixed
3. Reboot your computer

You can run SFC to repair any corrupt system files that prevent your PC from running properly by triggering the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO stop code. However, if it doesn’t work, then you should resort to DISM.

Here’s how to use DISM:

1. Run Command Prompt as admin and type DISM /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
2. If it shows any errors, you can fix them with DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
3. Reboot your computer and launch CMD again with elevation rights
4. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter
5. Restart your PC again

DISM is a powerful tool that verifies the integrity of the component store of the OS image, so you can count on it to repair BSOD errors.

3. Update your drivers

If your computer’s drivers are too old or not compatible with your operating system, then you should expect BSOD stop codes on Windows 10 such as BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO. The solution is to reinstall and update your devices.

Here’s how to easily reinstall your drivers:

1. Right-click the Start button and head over to Device Manager
2. Select a device from the list, right-click it, and press Uninstall device
3. Follow the Windows instructions and reboot your computer
4. Your operating system should automatically reinstall the compatible drivers

If you need help with identifying the device drivers of your computer and figuring out which ones are not working properly, we suggest using Microsoft’s DriverVerifier.

Here’s how to update drivers:

1. Go to Device Manager, right-click a device, and select Update driver
2. Press Search automatically for updated driver software
3. If Windows returns the The best drivers for your device are already installed message, select Search for updated drivers on Windows Update
4. Restart your computer

Unfortunately, Microsoft often fails to find a newer driver in Windows Update. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it doesn’t exist. Instead, you have to manually download it from your manufacturer’s webpage.

However, it can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing since you could accidentally install the wrong driver for your computer. To avoid this, it’s better to turn to the professional aid of a driver updating tool.

A driver updater identifies the current device drivers of your computer without your help. It also finds newer drivers online, downloads and installs them – even multiple drivers at the same time. And it’s all done automatically.

4. Use the BCD command

Another good way to fix BSOD error messages like BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO is by using the BCD command. Fortunately, you don’t need outside help to repair the BCD since you can rely on the Windows internal tools.

1. Press the Win key, click the Power button, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking Restart
2. After your PC reboots, select Troubleshoot and go to Advanced options
3. Click Command Prompt to restart your PC again and get the command-line environment
4. Select your PC account and enter your password
5. Type the following command-lines and press Enter after each line
   1. bcdedit/deletevalue {default} numproc
   2. bcdedit/deletevalue {default} truncatememory
6. Exit CMD and restart Windows

5. Repair the BCD

If your Boot Configuration Data is damaged, it will prevent you from launching Windows and even accessing safe mode. To fix this, you need a bootable USB flash disk or DVD with the Windows installation files.

If you don’t already have one, then you need to access another computer to be able to create it. We suggest using Media Creation Tool since it’s really fast and easy to use.

1. Boot Windows from a USB or DVD
2. Press the Win key, click the Power button, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking Restart
3. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt
4. Enter the following lines (press Enter after each line):
   1. bootrec /repairbcd
   2. bootrec /osscan
   3. bootrec /repairmbr
5. Exit CMD and restart your computer

6. Fix the system registry

If the Windows registry has incorrect values, it could be why you keep receiving the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO error on your Windows 10 PC.

To fix this, you still need a bootable Windows disk and to launch Command Prompt from boot, as described in the previous solution.

1. In Command Prompt, enter the following commands (press Enter after each line):
   1. cd c:\Windows\System32\config
   2. ren c:\Windows\System32\config\DEFAULT DEFAULT.old
   3. ren c:\Windows\System32\config\SAM SAM.old
   4. ren c:\Windows\System32\config\SECURITY SECURITY.old
   5. ren c:\Windows\System32\config\SOFTWARE SOFTWARE.old
   6. ren c:\Windows\System32\config\SYSTEM SYSTEM.old
   7. copy c:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\DEFAULT c:\Windows\System32\config\
   8. copy c:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\DEFAULT c:\Windows\System32\config\
   9. copy c:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SAM c:\Windows\System32\config\
   10. copy c:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SECURITY c:\Windows\System32\config\
   11. copy c:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SYSTEM c:\Windows\System32\config\
   12. copy c:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SOFTWARE c:\Windows\System32\config\
2. Exit CMD and restart your computer
3. Check if you still get the BSOD stop code

7. Use System Restore

Any software issue can be fixed by undoing all changes, thanks to System Restore mode. So, if the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO error code was caused by a significant change at the software level, then you should be able to easily repair it this way.

Before starting recovery mode, though, remember that any new programs you recently installed will disappear after the rollback.

1. Make sure to log in as the PC admin
2. Press Win key + R, type control panel, and press the Enter key
3. Click Recovery
4. Click Open System Restore
5. Choose a restore point, click Next, and follow the on-screen instructions
6. Reboot your computer

8. Unplug and reseat your hardware devices

BSOD error messages can be caused by faulty hardware components or USB ports. You can put this theory to the test by unplugging all peripheral devices from your computer and connecting them to different USB ports.

If that doesn’t do the trick, then you should remove all cables and gear, then reseat the devices. Pay special attention to the BIOS, GPU, and RAM cards while doing this.

Afterward, boot your PC to see if you still get the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO error on Windows 10.

9. Run a clean boot

If you’re having a difficult time with troubleshooting your operating system, then you can run a clean boot. It will force Windows to launch only the required drivers, services, and processes.

1. Click the Start button, type System Configuration, and open this app
2. Select the Services tab, deselect Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all
3. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager
4. In the Startup section, click Status to sort all processes by Enabled
5. Right-click an app, select Disable, and do this for all apps with the Enabled status
6. Reboot your computer

10. Free up your disk space

Insufficient disk space may cause a lot of problems on your computer, from Windows’ failed attempt to download and install the latest security patches, to blue screen error messages like BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO.

The solution is easy: remove data to make more room on your hard drive. You can do this by deleting any files you don’t use anymore, backing up essential data on external disks, and uploading information to the cloud.

When it comes to junk, you can get rid of it using the Windows Disk Cleanup tool so that you won’t have to install anything else.

Here’s how to use Disk Cleanup:

1. Make sure you’re logged in as the system administrator
2. Open your file explorer with Win + E, right-click the C: drive, and go to Properties
3. Select the General tab and click Disk Cleanup
4. Select all items in Files to delete, then click Clean up system files
5. As soon as the file scan is over, select everything again, click OK and Delete Files
6. Reboot your machine

A summary of BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO quick fixes

To recap, if you keep getting the BSOD error with BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO stop code on your Windows 10 PC, you can try to fix this problem by checking your internal memory, repairing your hard disk and system files, as well as by updating your device drivers.

It’s also a good idea to use the BCD command or repair BCD if it’s damaged, fix the Windows registry, and use System Restore to revert Windows to a previous checkpoint.

You could also try unplugging and reseating your hardware devices, running a clean boot, and freeing up disk space using the Disk Cleanup tool. However, if everything fails, it’s time to consider refreshing Windows.

Did any of these solutions work for you?

What else have you tried to repair the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO error? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read Full Bio

Alex Ion

Latest from Author

12 Best Pet Tracker Collars to Keep Your Furry Friend Safe 2K vs 4K: Which Monitor Is Best For You?