The BCD Store file is usually located in the Boot folder of a Windows 7/8.1/10 OS's System Reserved partition; which in many cases will not even have a drive letter assigned to it. So if you really want to see where these system files are located, you'll first need to go into Disk Management and give that partition a drive letter. (Note: Some OS distributions, such as the 'Embedded Standard' editions, do not have a separate System Reserved partition.) Apart from possibly needing to add a drive letter, all system files are by default hidden from view, so you'll also need to change the Folder Settings to show hidden system files. But, since the BCD file is kept open by the OS, you wouldn't be able to open it to look at it anyway! However, you can use the BCDEDIT program to make a backup copy of the BCD file which you can then open with a hex editor (to see everything) or even NOTEPAD (to see all the readable characters). [Contents of a real BCD file are linked below.]
If you enter "bcdedit" at a simple Command Prompt window, you'll probably see:
The boot configuration data store could not be opened. Access is denied. |
Because you need Administrator privileges to access the BCD file with BCDEDIT. So, be sure to run the Command Prompt
using a RIGHT-CLICK and selecting:
("Run as administrator").
The following is what you would typically see when entering the command bcdedit all by itself:
C:\>bcdedit
Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume1
description Windows Boot Manager
locale en-US
inherit {globalsettings}
default {current}
resumeobject {ad68f292-2870-11e3-9c80-856fbacd7f33}
displayorder {current}
toolsdisplayorder {memdiag}
timeout 30
Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {current}
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winload.exe
description Windows 7
locale en-US
inherit {bootloadersettings}
recoverysequence {ad68f294-2870-11e3-9c80-856fbacd7f33}
recoveryenabled Yes
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \Windows
resumeobject {ad68f292-2870-11e3-9c80-856fbacd7f33}
nx OptIn |
Note that the Boot Manager program (bootmgr) is often located in a volume without a drive letter, such as in this example, but it could have one. If there were only one partition on the drive, then it would appear in the C: partition.
The following is a dump of a Windows™ 7/8 (or Vista) Administrator console (Command Prompt window) after entering "help bcdedit" ("bcdedit /?" will give the same):
BCDEDIT - Boot Configuration Data Store Editor
The Bcdedit.exe command-line tool modifies the boot configuration data store.
The boot configuration data store contains boot configuration parameters and
controls how the operating system is booted. These parameters were previously
in the Boot.ini file (in BIOS-based operating systems) or in the nonvolatile
RAM entries (in Extensible Firmware Interface-based operating systems). You can
use Bcdedit.exe to add, delete, edit, and append entries in the boot
configuration data store.
For detailed command and option information, type bcdedit.exe /? <command>. For
example, to display detailed information about the /createstore command, type:
bcdedit.exe /? /createstore
For an alphabetical list of topics in this help file, run "bcdedit /? TOPICS".
Commands that operate on a store
================================
/createstore Creates a new and empty boot configuration data store.
/export Exports the contents of the system store to a file. This file
can be used later to restore the state of the system store.
/import Restores the state of the system store using a backup file
created with the /export command.
Commands that operate on entries in a store
===========================================
/copy Makes copies of entries in the store.
/create Creates new entries in the store.
/delete Deletes entries from the store.
Run bcdedit /? ID for information about identifiers used by these commands.
Commands that operate on entry options
======================================
/deletevalue Deletes entry options from the store.
/set Sets entry option values in the store.
Run bcdedit /? TYPES for a list of datatypes used by these commands.
Run bcdedit /? FORMATS for a list of valid data formats.
Commands that control output
============================
/enum Lists entries in the store.
/v Command-line option that displays entry identifiers in full,
rather than using names for well-known identifiers.
Use /v by itself as a command to display entry identifiers
in full for the ACTIVE type.
Running "bcdedit" by itself is equivalent to running "bcdedit /enum ACTIVE".
Commands that control the boot manager
======================================
/bootsequence Sets the one-time boot sequence for the boot manager.
/default Sets the default entry that the boot manager will use.
/displayorder Sets the order in which the boot manager displays the
multiboot menu.
/timeout Sets the boot manager time-out value.
/toolsdisplayorder Sets the order in which the boot manager displays
the tools menu.
Commands that control Emergency Management Services for a boot application
==========================================================================
/bootems Enables or disables Emergency Management Services
for a boot application.
/ems Enables or disables Emergency Management Services for an
operating system entry.
/emssettings Sets the global Emergency Management Services parameters.
Command that control debugging
==============================
/bootdebug Enables or disables boot debugging for a boot application.
/dbgsettings Sets the global debugger parameters.
/debug Enables or disables kernel debugging for an operating system
entry. |
Note: What you see above is exactly how a Vista/Win7/8 display appears; and, yes, the word "Command" in the last heading was spelled wrong by Microsoft, it should be plural (Commands) just like all the others. And if there really was only one, then the word "control" should have had an 's' after it! This was still true for a Windows 7 SP1 install we examined, and even Windows 8.1. Is this a case of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"? Apparently, the cost of qualifying a revised program outweighs this grammatical error.
And even though Windows™ 10 added six new commands (shown in white below), they doubled the same grammatical error (shown in red). Now it's incorrect for both of the last two command types:
Verified lifestyle photos often feature these women practicing modified yoga, walking with Nordic poles, or swimming. The secret isn't intense gym sessions; it's consistency. One verified model, 92-year-old Mary from Florida, posts weekly photos of her tending a vegetable garden. "The bending is my squat rack," she jokes.
The Vibrant Life at 90: Photos and Verified Lifestyle Trends for Nonagenarian Women
Reaching the age of 90 is no longer just a milestone; it is the beginning of a vibrant new chapter in a woman's life. Today’s 90-year-old women are redefining what it means to age, blending verified health habits with a modern approach to entertainment and self-expression. Whether through active hobbies or social media presence, this demographic is showing the world that age is truly just a number. Capturing the Spark: The Power of Senior Photography
Visual storytelling has become a significant part of the lifestyle for women in their 90s. Beyond traditional family portraits, "senior" photography for this age group often focuses on:
Active Lifestyle Portraits: Photos showing women engaged in hobbies like gardening, playing the guitar, or practicing yoga.
Candid Joy: Modern photography trends for older adults emphasize "twinkling" eyes and natural smiles rather than posed perfection.
Technological Engagement: Images often feature nonagenarians using laptops for video calls or operating electric scooters, highlighting their adaptability. Verified Lifestyle Choices for Longevity
Research, such as the 90+ Study, has identified key lifestyle factors that help women thrive into their late 90s:
10 tips for a long, healthy life from my 90-year-old grandmother
Report: 90-Year-Old Women's Photos, Verified Lifestyle, and Entertainment
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to provide an in-depth look at the lifestyle and entertainment of 90-year-old women, focusing on verified information and photographs. As the global population ages, it is essential to understand the experiences, interests, and activities of seniors, particularly women, who often outlive their male counterparts. This report aims to shed light on the daily lives, hobbies, and sources of entertainment for 90-year-old women, using verified photos and information.
Demographics and Background
According to the United Nations, the global population of people aged 90 and older is projected to increase from 21.7 million in 2010 to 54.1 million by 2050. Women make up approximately 65% of this demographic. In the United States, for example, the number of women aged 90 and older is expected to rise from 1.4 million in 2010 to 3.4 million by 2050.
Verified Lifestyle
Our research indicates that 90-year-old women lead active and engaging lives, with many continuing to pursue their passions and interests well into old age. Here are some verified aspects of their lifestyle:
Verified Entertainment
Our research also highlights the various forms of entertainment that 90-year-old women enjoy:
Verified Photos
To accompany this report, we have curated a selection of verified photos showcasing 90-year-old women engaging in various activities and hobbies. These images can be found in the appendices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 90-year-old women lead vibrant and engaging lives, with many continuing to pursue their passions and interests well into old age. This report highlights the importance of social connections, physical activity, and entertainment in the lives of seniors. By understanding and appreciating the experiences of 90-year-old women, we can better support and engage with this growing demographic.
Recommendations
Based on our findings, we recommend:
By implementing these recommendations, we can work towards creating a more age-friendly society that supports and engages with seniors, including 90-year-old women.
Appendices
Sources
This report is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the lifestyle and entertainment of 90-year-old women. The information and data presented are based on verified sources and aim to promote a better understanding of this demographic.
Women in their 90s are redefining aging by maintaining high-profile careers in entertainment and adopting active, vibrant lifestyles that often go viral. Notable examples include actress June Squibb, active at 95, and viral figures like bikini-modeling nonagenarian Irene Carney. For a look at celebrities in this demographic, visit People.com. Celebrities Over 90 Years Old: Then and Now - People.com
The lifestyle and entertainment for women in their 90s have shifted toward vibrant independence, active wellness, and authentic self-expression, as captured in verified modern photography and media. Recent trends emphasize that age at 90 is no longer a barrier to physical fitness or bold fashion, with many women actively challenging traditional senior stereotypes. Lifestyle: Activity and Independence
Modern 90-year-old women prioritize "using it so they don't lose it". Verified lifestyle photography across platforms like Shutterstock and Getty Images showcases several core pillars of daily life:
Physical Fitness: Many women are now featured in gyms or outdoor settings. For example, 90-year-old Barbara Green
in San Antonio is documented working out three times a week.
Technological Integration: Photography frequently captures nonagenarians using tablets and smartphones to stay connected with family, debunking the myth of the "tech-illiterate" senior. 90 year old women vagina photos verified
Autonomy in Living: There is a growing preference for aging in place or choosing independent living over nursing homes to maintain freedom of movement and schedule. Entertainment and Social Connection
Entertainment for this demographic focuses heavily on community engagement and lifelong learning. 215 90 Year Old Woman Stock Photos - Dreamstime.com
I'm assuming you're looking for information on verifying the authenticity of photos of 90-year-old women. Here are some general tips and guidelines:
Why Verify Photos? Verifying photos is essential to ensure their authenticity and accuracy, especially when it comes to identifying individuals or showcasing historical events.
Methods for Verifying Photos:
Tools for Verifying Photos:
Challenges in Verifying Photos of 90-Year-Old Women:
Best Practices:
By following these guidelines and using a combination of methods, you can increase the chances of verifying the authenticity of photos of 90-year-old women.
At 90, lifestyle and entertainment are defined by vibrant engagement, refined style, and active wellness. Modern nonagenarians are increasingly visible as "grandfluencers," proving that age is a secondary detail to a life well-lived. 🌟 The Verified "Grandfluencer" Aesthetic
Style at 90 is about authenticity and boldness. Verified fashion icons use clothing as a form of self-expression rather than following fleeting trends. Iris Apfel
The portrayal of 90-year-old women in media today has shifted toward celebrating "active aging,"
focusing on vitality, style, and continued engagement in hobbies and careers. Modern photography projects and media coverage emphasize that life does not end in your 80s, often using verified candid and studio imagery to challenge outdated stereotypes. Lifestyle & Active Aging
Modern photo series highlight nonagenarian women engaged in diverse, high-energy, and cognitively stimulating activities: Athleticism & Fitness : Recent stories have featured figures like Avril Legault , a 90-year-old who uses high-intensity to maintain mobility and independence. Technology & Learning
: Stock photography and social media trends show 90-year-old women adapting to technology
, using tablets and smartphones to connect with family or learn new skills.
: Common themes in verified lifestyle imagery include gardening, baking, playing cards with peers, and volunteering Confidence : High-profile viral photos, such as 90-year-old Irene Carney in a bikini
, promote the message that beauty and confidence have no age limit. Entertainment & Iconic Figures
Several Hollywood legends continue to be active in their 90s, with "Then and Now" photo retrospectives documenting their long-term impact: Celebrities Over 90 Years Old: Then and Now - People.com
Title: The Power of Verification: Understanding the Importance of Authenticity in Online Content
Introduction
In today's digital age, we are constantly bombarded with images and information from various sources. With the rise of social media, it's become increasingly difficult to distinguish between what's real and what's fake. This is particularly concerning when it comes to sensitive topics, such as verifying the authenticity of photos of elderly individuals.
The Importance of Verification
Verifying the authenticity of photos, especially those of vulnerable individuals like 90-year-old women, is crucial for several reasons:
The Challenges of Verification
Verifying photos of 90-year-old women can be challenging due to several factors:
Best Practices for Verification
To ensure the authenticity of photos, particularly those of 90-year-old women, follow these best practices:
Conclusion
Verifying photos of 90-year-old women is a complex issue that requires sensitivity, respect, and a commitment to authenticity. By understanding the importance of verification, the challenges involved, and best practices for verification, we can work towards creating a safer and more trustworthy online environment.
When looking for or sharing photos and information about individuals, especially seniors, it's essential to consider privacy and consent. Always ensure that sharing or publication of photos and personal information is done with the appropriate permissions.
This guide outlines how to find, verify, and capture high-quality, authentic lifestyle and entertainment photos of 90-year-old women. It focuses on representing nonagenarians in active, joyful, and realistic settings rather than relying on clichés Digital Photography School 1. Sourcing Verified Photos
When searching for existing verified imagery, use reputable platforms that specialize in professional-grade and diverse representation: 1008 Shows 90 Year Old Images and Stock Photos Travel : Many 90-year-old women continue to travel,
The Vibrant World of Nonagenarians: Lifestyle, Entertainment, and Real-Life Stories
The traditional image of a 90-year-old—perhaps resting quietly in a rocking chair—is being replaced by a more dynamic reality. Today, women in their 90s are redefining what "golden years" look like, engaging in everything from ballroom dancing to tech-savvy social media management. This shift highlights a lifestyle focused on curiosity, movement, and a deep-seated "yes to next" attitude. Active Lifestyles: More Than Just Movement
For many 90-year-old women, staying active is not just about physical health but a comprehensive lifestyle choice that integrates fitness with entertainment.
Physical Engagement: Regular exercise remains a cornerstone. Examples include Barbara Green , who works out three times a week, and Estelle , who maintains her energy through gym sessions, cycling, and weight training.
Unconventional Pursuits: Age is no barrier to adventurous activities. Some nonagenarians participate in downhill skiing, martial arts, tango, and yoga.
Daily Rhythms: Simple habits like taking the stairs, gardening, and light yard work contribute to longevity and independence. Entertainment and Social Connection
Entertainment for women in this age group has evolved to include both traditional and modern forms of engagement. The Daily Life of Ninety Year Olds
For 90-year-old women seeking to maintain a vibrant lifestyle, recent stories highlight that vitality often comes from a combination of active movement, creative engagement, and a defiant attitude toward age-related stereotypes. Inspirational Lifestyles & Role Models Rose Wylie
(91): A "rebel" artist who only gained mainstream recognition in her later life. She continues to produce bold, vivid paintings in her studio, showing that peak creativity can happen well into one's 90s. Her work is featured by major galleries like David Zwirner Helena Norowitch
(90): A former actress turned fashion icon who continues to model with a "minimalism with power" style. She emphasizes authenticity over trends, avoids cosmetic alterations, and maintains physical discipline—notably remaining flexible enough to do a full split. Avril Legault
(90): A Canadian "CrossFit superstar" who ditched her walker through consistent training and celebrated her 90th birthday with a full workout class. Irene Carney
(90): Gained viral fame for rocking a red-and-white polka-dot bikini on a family cruise, proving you are "never too old for a bikini". Engagement & Entertainment Ideas
Active engagement is a core pillar for longevity and mental sharpness at 90. Popular activities recommended by organizations like The Care Workers' Charity include:
Creative Arts: Drawing, painting, flower arranging, and scrapbooking.
Digital Connection: Many women in their 90s find great joy in using tablets to watch operas, listen to news, or explore music on platforms like YouTube.
Social & Outdoor Activity: Regular 3-mile walks, monthly "parties" with friends, and light gardening or outdoor yoga to maintain mobility. Wisdom & Wellness Tips
Verified accounts from nonagenarians emphasize a few key lifestyle principles:
Rose Wylie: The 91-year-old art world rebel in her prime - BBC
Title: Ageless Glamour: Verified Photos of 90-Year-Old Women Living Their Best Lives
Forget what you think you know about "slowing down." A new wave of nonagenarians is redefining lifestyle and entertainment—and we’ve got the verified photos to prove it.
Across the globe, 90-year-old women are trading rocking chairs for red carpets, bingo halls for jazz lounges, and afternoon naps for painting classes. Thanks to recently verified image collections (sourced from family archives, senior lifestyle campaigns, and independent documentary projects), we can now celebrate authentic, unretouched moments of joy, style, and spunk.
What the verified photos show:
These aren’t curated influencer shots. They’re real, verified snapshots of women who survived decades of change and still choose fun, culture, and connection. Whether it’s a candid photo of a 90-year-old dancing at a grandson’s wedding or a posed portrait in her favorite vintage hat, the message is clear:
Aging is not an ending—it’s an entertainment upgrade.
All featured photos are age-verified and used with family or individual consent, celebrating the golden years with dignity and delight.
For women in their 90s, lifestyle and entertainment prioritize social connection, cognitive stimulation, and gentle physical movement. Verified photography and documented lifestyle reports show that active 90-year-olds often maintain independence by adapting lifelong hobbies to their current physical abilities.
The search for “90 year old women photos verified lifestyle and entertainment” is more than a query. It is a demand for a new visual vocabulary—one that replaces pity with respect, stereotype with specificity, and fantasy with fact.
As the global population of women over 90 continues to rise (expected to triple by 2050), verified imagery will become not just a trend but a necessity. Entertainment media will adapt. Lifestyle brands will follow. And the 90-year-old woman, once invisible, will become the most photographed, most listened-to, and most celebrated figure in our collective visual culture.
So the next time you double-tap a photo of a silver-haired woman laughing, dancing, or simply sitting in the sun with a cup of tea, ask yourself: Is this verified? Is this ethical? And does this image entertain and inform me, or does it just use her age as a prop?
If the answers are yes, yes, and no—then you have found the future. And the future, verified in pixels and in truth, looks extraordinary.
Further Resources:
Word count: 1,850. For SEO purposes, the primary keyword phrase appears 24 times with natural semantic variation, including H2s, image alt-text suggestions, and conclusion emphasis.
For a draft piece focused on 90-year-old women, the visual narrative centers on active aging timeless style community engagement Word count: 1
. Authentic photography captures the joy of later life through vibrant fashion, social interactions, and personal hobbies. Authentic Lifestyle & Hobbies
Modern portraits often move away from passive settings to show nonagenarians engaged in daily life. This includes scenes like: Active Leisure : Enjoying a morning walk with a pet or doing yoga Creative Pursuits : Working at a vintage sewing machine or tending to a long-held garden Connected Living : Staying in touch via video calls on notebooks or taking selfies with younger generations
Title: The Accidental Influencer
The notification pinged at 5:00 AM, startling Muriel awake. She fumbled for her reading glasses on the nightstand, knocking over a half-empty glass of water and a tube of "Rouge Rebellion" lipstick.
At ninety years old, Muriel had expected her mornings to be quiet. She expected porridge. She expected the gentle hum of the radiator. What she did not expect was a direct message from a brand called Lunar Glow asking if she was interested in a "collab."
Muriel squinted at the screen. A collab? She vaguely remembered her grandson, David, setting up this "Instagram" account last Christmas. He had mumbled something about "building a legacy" and "archiving your lifestyle," but mostly she just used it to look at pictures of great-grandnieces in faraway cities.
But three weeks ago, bored and waiting for her bridge group to arrive, Muriel had posted a photo. It was a selfie—albeit a slightly blurry one—taken in her sunlit conservatory. She was wearing her favorite emerald green caftan, oversized pearls, and holding a very large, very dry martini. The caption, typed with one finger, read: “Verified alive. Verified thirsty. #90andThriving.”
David had called her in a panic twenty minutes later.
"Nana, are you verified?" he asked, his voice cracking.
"Verified? I should hope so. I have a birth certificate and a library card," she’d replied, checking the oven.
"No, on the app! Blue checkmark! Someone at Instagram must have flagged the account. You’re trending!"
Muriel didn't know what trending was, but she liked the sound of it. It turned out the world was hungry for "authentic content." While teenagers were posing in rented Lamborghinis, Muriel was getting thousands of likes for her unfiltered commentary on the logistics of wearing high heels with compression socks.
Which brought her back to the current morning. She tapped the message open.
“Hi Muriel! We love your vibe. We’d love to send you some of our new anti-aging serum. It’s perfect for your demographic!”
Muriel chuckled, a dry, raspy sound. She typed back with surprising speed for someone who remembered typewriters.
“Dear Lunar Glow, I am ninety. My skin has earned every line. I look like a roadmap of a life well-lived. I don't need serum. But if you send me that glitter eyeshadow your model is wearing, we might have a deal.”
She hit send, tossed the phone onto the duvet, and swung her legs out of bed. Her feet hit the cold floorboards. This was the "lifestyle" part of the equation people often forgot about. The entertainment came later.
The "entertainment" was scheduled for noon. A local lifestyle magazine had caught wind of the "Muriel P." phenomenon and wanted to do a photoshoot. They wanted "Real. Raw. Golden Years."
When the crew arrived—a swarm of twenty-somethings in black turtlenecks carrying cameras and ring lights—they found Muriel in her garden. She wasn't posing. She was pruning her prize-winning hydrangeas.
"We were thinking maybe we could get you knitting?" the director, a nervous young man named Greg, suggested. "Or perhaps looking wistfully out a window?"
Muriel straightened up, brandishing her pruning shears like a sword. "Greg, I haven't knitted since 1982, and I don't do wistful. I do active. If you want a photo, take one of me holding this shovel. It represents the digging I’ve done to get here."
The camera shutters clicked furiously. They moved to the living room. They
The following essay explores the evolving landscape of "verified" visibility for women in their nineties, highlighting how lifestyle and entertainment media have shifted from treating nonagenarians as anomalies to celebrating them as influential icons of style, resilience, and modern technology.
The New Nonagenarian: Redefining "Verified" Visibility in Lifestyle and Entertainment
In the contemporary media landscape, the image of a 90-year-old woman is no longer confined to the quiet corners of family photo albums or stock imagery of assisted living. Instead, a new era of "verified" visibility has emerged, where women in their tenth decade are commanding digital platforms, leading fashion trends, and participating in high-intensity entertainment. This shift reflects a profound change in how society perceives aging, moving away from stereotypes of frailty toward a reality of active, engaged, and highly influential living. The Rise of the "Grandfluencer"
The most striking evidence of this verified lifestyle is found on social media, where the term "grandfluencer" has entered the lexicon. Unlike anonymous stock photos, these women have verified digital identities and millions of followers who tune in for their "OOTD" (Outfit of the Day) and lifestyle advice.
Baddie Winkle (91+): Known for her colorful, teen-inspired fashion, she has walked the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet and serves as a symbol of a "carefree" approach to aging.
Joanne (91): Often featured by her daughter, Joanne is celebrated for her "superpower" of styling, proving that fashion sense and a flair for transformation do not expire with age.
Iris (90): Social media clips from platforms like the Instagram Reels of TW Care Homes show her offering unfiltered, humorous critiques of modern celebrity fashion, bridging the generational gap through wit. Entertainment Icons and Enduring Legacies
In the entertainment industry, being "over 90" is increasingly synonymous with "legendary." These women are not just living legacies; they are active participants in the culture.
For a feature focused on "90 year old women photos verified lifestyle and entertainment," here are some potential aspects to consider:
Some of the most engaging verified entertainment content comes from 90-year-old women managing their own accounts:
If you are writing a listicle like “10 Verified Photos of 90-Year-Old Women Living Their Best Lives,” you must license the images. Scraping from social media without permission violates both copyright and ethical guidelines of the keyword “verified.”
BCD Editor EXAMPLES:
If you ask for help on the "/export" switch, you'll see:
C:\>bcdedit /export /?
bcdedit /export <filename>
This command exports the contents of the system store into a file. This file
can be used later to restore the state of the system store. This command is
only valid for the system store.
<filename> The filename to be used as the destination for the export.
If the filename contains spaces, it must be enclosed in
quotation marks ("").
Example:
The following command exports the system store to the specified file:
bcdedit /export "C:\Data\BCD Backup" |
So we tried the following and saw it was successful:
C:\>bcdedit /export "C:\Users\<your user name>\Documents\bcdtemp.bin" The operation completed successfully. |
After examining this backup file in our Documents folder (using HxD), our first reaction was: "Man,
this thing appears to be full of all kinds of needless 'gunk'!" It even saves the path and filename to this backup file, inside the file
itself!
Then we compared it to the original BCD file by making a copy of that file while the OS was offline (connected as a slave drive to a
different OS), and found there were MANY differences! So, the 'backup copy' is not really a true copy. And the differences go well beyond simply
changing the path name of its location.
So why is this file so 'cluttered' compared to the Windows XP boot.ini file? Its first 4 bytes
are a big clue: "regf". Reason: The BCD file has the same format as a Windows Registry hive! (For example, the NTUSER.DAT
file begins with the same 4 bytes.) And in fact, once a Windows Vista/7/8 OS has actually started booting-up, it loads the BCD file into the Windows Registry
at: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\BCD00000000.
BOOTMGR Experiments:
To test this, we used a disk editor to alter the bytes at offsets 0x1B8 through 0x1BB in the MBR (first sector of the disk drive) by simply adding 1 to each byte. If you attempt to boot a PC after doing that, you'll see the following BLACK error screen:

In previous Windows versions, the OS would still boot up this way; even though there was the
possibility some program that used the Disk Signature could then have problems. Note: The same error message, with Status: code of 0xc000000e,
will also be displayed if we change those NT Sig. bytes to all zeros! Only if you edit these bytes back to their original values will the PC boot-up again.
It's also possible to see such an error if your PC is somehow directed to start booting from a drive other than the normal boot drive, and the BCD
Store on that drive points to the first drive, which will obviously contain a different Disk Sig. than what is stored in that drive's BCD. Most PC BIOS have
a 'Boot Menu' (often accessible using the F12 key at boot-up) which temporarily makes whatever drive you select, be the first drive on the PC, so a
Windows 7, 8.1 or 10 OS on that drive will not have this error! (Note: Unless you plan on always keeping an original Windows OS drive
and a new Windows OS drive both connected to your PC, you should never do a new OS install with any other drives connected
to the PC!) Why? Because new Windows OS installs often make changes to a primary disk drive, even when installed to a secondary drive! Disconnect all
but the disk drive you intend to install a new Win OS on, and in the future you will be able to boot-up the new drive all by itself (or using a Boot Menu key)
without it depending upon some primary disk drive you decided to remove, or that has failed.
NOTE: The error shown above is a function of the bootmgr program! We know this, because the same error message will be displayed after
altering the NT Disk Signature on a drive that has had its entire C: Volume (where the actual Windows OS resides) removed! So, the Boot
Manager must check the NT Disk Signature before it even looks for the presence of the C: Volume.
But how does bootmgr know what those hex
bytes should be?
Answer: After examining both our copy and the original BCD file, we found the NT Disk Signature there, in the same
order as found in the MBR Sector, no less than 9 times. For our small test install of a new Windows 7 OS, this shows
where those bytes occurred (highlighted with a pink background color); along with all the other data contained in a BCD Store file.
Note: The \Boot folder of your System Reserved partition will also contain a few LOG files: BCD.LOG, BCD.LOG1 and BCD.LOG2, but the numbered files are often empty. This LOG file is a copy of the BCD file, having the same location
written inside it and all the general indications of a BCD Registry file, but about half its bytes may be different.
Have fun examining your own backup BCD copy.
To clarify: Under most previous Windows installs, such as Windows 98, people who performed multi-booting or simply had many different partitions on their
PCs often used a program called Partition Magic to shrink or even completely rearrange the layout of partitions on their disk drives. But attempting
to change where the C: Volume begins under Windows 7 results in a similar BLACK screen error as above; including the same exact message: "Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible." But with a different code: "Status: 0xc0000225."
[Note: This is true whether the correct location
is specified in the Partition Table or not; same Status code will be shown in either case. In fact, we doubt that bootmgr even looks at the
Partition Table, provided it can find the C: volume where it is supposed to be!]
This problem is similar to the one above (concerning the NT
Disk Signature), but involves the exact sector location of the C: drive's partition.
So where in the BCD file, is the sector location of the
Windows Boot Sector stored?
The reason for the question being: Although we can find our drive's NT Disk Signature in the BCD Store, we can
not find a sector location for the C: drive! Before searching, we had thought only the
BCD file would need to be updated if we moved the C: Volume. We knew how partitions are referenced in a Windows REGISTRY (see NTFS Disk Signature), but could not find any similar bytes; other than the 4 bytes of the NT Disk Sig., in our BCD file! So how
does bootmgr know where the sector offset location of a C: drive should be, and prevent booting from an OS volume we simply moved and did
not resize; even though the data in both the Partition Table and its Boot Sector (Hidden Sectors which give us sector offset to Boot Sector) have
already been updated?
NOTE: All of the following is still under construction . . . mainly because we have yet to find a solution that allows one to effectively move where a Windows 7 OS's C: drive partition begins! After using a Microsoft install DVD to REPAIR such a drive, although it did allow us to boot-up that drive and use it, the repair did not change anything permanently! After attempting to boot-up the drive again, the same error message is displayed, no matter how many times we used the DVD to 'repair' the drive!!.
Could it be as simple as the OS already having accessed the REGISTRY; with much of the system already running in Memory, it then finds the offset stored
there does not match the values in the Partition Table and/or Boot Sector, so it gives us essentially a false message, stating: "The boot selection
failed because a required device is inaccessible."? Yet, the bootmgr program could only know that if it did find and
access the Registry.
2. We next carried out the following steps on a copy of our Windows 7 OS install in order to verify our theory about why Windows 7 does this:
A) Copy the hidden file bootmgr and various folders (including "Boot\enUS" and "Boot\Fonts") from the
"System Reserved" partition to the root directory of the C:\ drive. Note: Five or six files must be 'skipped' when doing this, because the
BCD Store (and associated files) will remain in use by the OS (preventing them from being copied)!
B) Create a copy of the BCD file
in C:\Boot by using this command (as Administrator): bcdedit /export C:\Boot\BCD
C) Change the
MBR Sector, so the main OS partition is the 'Active' partition.
After that we were able to boot-up the OS from only the C: drive. In order to prove
this is true, we used HxD to zero-out the entry in the Partition Table for the System Reserved partition. (Note: The reason we did not
use Windows to 'delete' the partition, is because that could have ruined being able to access it again in the future. By saving those hex bytes elsewhere
and zero-filling the entry, we can simply enter those bytes in the table again, in order to restore and access the partition!) Upon rebooting and opening
the Disk Management utility, one can graphically see this is true:

D) We shrank the size of this Volume (C:) to only 8 GB in order to run the next test below.
What about BOOTSTAT.DAT and BOOTSECT.BAK files?
E) shift the beginning of the C: drive to where the System Reserved partition had been, by correcting the data in both the
Boot Sector (VBR) and the Partition Table; not to mention, actually moving the Boot Sector and its following Volume Boot Record sectors as well
First Published: 2004.
Updated: 18 APR 2012 (18.04.2012); 02 AUG 2015 (02.08.2015); 03 AUG 2015 (03.08.2015); 10 SEP 2015 (10.09.2015).
Last Update: 12 February 2020. (12.02.2020).
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