How to Edit Boot.ini File of window

How to Edit Boot.ini Files

Since boot.ini is a text file, it can be edited with a text editor such as Notepad. However, the attributes must first be changed, Also, care must be taken to preserve the correct extension. Since any mistakes in editing might very well render your system unbootable, it is better to use one of the safer methods that are available. Before using any method, be sure to make a backup copy.

One of the most common reasons for editing boot.ini is to reduce the "timeout" setting.in order to speed up booting. This is easily accomplished by using the System Configuration Utility (often called msconfig).

Using Msconfig to edit Boot.ini

Open Start-Run and enter "msconfig". The box shown below will open. Click the tab "BOOT.INI" and the figure shown next will open. The contents of the boot.ini file are shown and a number of configuration settings are available. In the middle right is a box where the settings for Timeout can be changed. This example is for a dual-boot system and another common reason for editing is to change the default operating system in dual-boot setups. Note that there is a button "Set a Default" as well as buttons "Move Up" and "Move Down" (grayed out here). If there are multiple entries in the boot display, their order can be rearranged here. There are also a number of advanced options that experienced computer users may look at. These other functions are discussed in the Microsoft references given at the end of the article.

Another way to configure Boot.ini

 these two most commonly edited settings is to open the Start menu, right-click on "My Computer" and choose "Properties" from the context menu. The System Properties dialog box will open as shown below. In the section "Startup and Recovery" click the button "Settings".

Using System Properties dialog to edit

The dialog box shown in the next figure will open. Both the Timeout setting and the default operating system can be changed here.

Startup and Recovery dialog

To add or delete an operating system or program from the boot display menu, use the "Edit" button on the right of the entry "To edit the startup options file manually, click Edit" as shown in the figure below. For example, if it is no longer desired to dual-boot a system, the unwanted operating system can be removed from the boot display menu this way.

using command line tool bootcfg.exe

Windows XP Professional also has a command line utility for manipulating boot.ini called bootcfg.exe. (It may or may not be in a Home Edition installation.) It is described in this Microsoft reference. It can be used in the Recovery Console to repair a damaged boot.ini file or in a command window to edit entries to the file. There are a number of different switches and these are illustrated in the output to a command window shown below.


Syntax and switches for command-lineuse of Bootcfg.exe

There is another set of switches for bootcfg when it is being run in the recovery console. These are discussed at this Microsoft reference. A discussion of using the tool to repair a damaged setup is discussed here. For example, a damaged boot.ini file can be scanned or deleted and a new version built.