How To Resolve the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO Error in Windows 11

If Windows 11 throws up the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO error, it’s pretty annoying, especially because it can block access to your system altogether. Usually, it’s caused by corrupted system files, boot configuration hiccups, or sometimes even hardware quirks. Getting rid of it typically involves some troubleshooting, but fair warning — sometimes these errors pop up unexpectedly, and no single fix works immediately. This guide walks through different methods, from simple restarts to more involved commands, with some pointers on what to expect along the way.

How to Fix the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO Error in Windows 11

Method 1: Restart Your Computer

It sounds basic, but a restart can clear out temporary glitches that might be causing this error. Believe it or not, sometimes Windows just needs a fresh start to set things right again.

Right-click on the Start button
Select Shut down or sign out
Click on Restart

On some setups, this might be enough to temporarily fix or even permanently clear the error. Of course, if the problem comes back, you’ll need to dig into more robust fixes.

Method 2: Run the System File Checker (SFC) Scan

This is a classic Windows move — scan for corrupted or missing system files that might be tripping up the boot process. Why it helps? Because if the error is caused by system file issues, repairing or replacing them can put Windows back on track.

When? If your system started showing instability or weird errors before this one, it’s a good bet SFC might catch something.

This process can take a few minutes, especially if your drives are slow or cluttered, but it’s worth it.

Open the search bar, type Command Prompt
Right-click and pick Run as administrator
Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter

Once it finishes, it’ll tell you if it fixed anything. If your system still shows this error, move on to rebuilding the boot config.

Method 3: Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

If the error is boot-related, it might be because the BCD is corrupted or misconfigured. Fixing this requires some command-line magic, but it’s a common fix for startup errors like this. On one machine it might work immediately, on another, you may need to try a couple of times or reboot after.

Note: You’ll need a Windows recovery drive or installation media handy for this, because you’ll be working outside of your normal Windows environment.

Boot into Windows Recovery environment. You can do this by interrupting the startup three times or using a recovery USB.
Navigate to Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt
In the Command Prompt window, enter the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
- bootrec /fixmbr
- bootrec /fixboot
- bootrec /rebuildbcd

These commands essentially repair your Master Boot Record and rebuild the BCD. Hope it works — it often does for boot-related errors.

Method 4: Perform a System Restore

If all else fails, rolling back to a previous working state is worth a shot — especially if the problem started after a driver update, software install, or system tweak.

When? If the error just started popping up after recent changes or updates.

Search for Recovery in the start menu or proceed via Settings > System > Recovery
Open Open System Restore
Choose Choose a different restore point and hit Next
Select a restore point dated before the issues started and click Next
Hit Finish to kick off the restore and confirm any prompts

This can roll back system changes that might’ve been causing conflicts, but it also affects recent installs and updates, so back up critical files if possible.

Extra Tips & Common Issues

While trying these fixes, keep in mind: ensure your Windows is up to date (sometimes those patches fix bugs causing this error). Also, it’s a good idea to run a quick hardware check — bad RAM or a dying hard drive can cause all sorts of boot issues. Sometimes, weird driver conflicts or corrupted registry entries sneak in and cause random errors, so don’t overlook hardware troubleshooting.

Wrap-up

Getting rid of the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO error isn’t always straightforward, but trying these methods in order usually reveals the culprit. It might be a quick restart, or it might be a deep dive into boot repairs, but most of the time, one of these fixes will do the trick. If not, it’s probably time to consider professional help or a clean reinstall. Always remember to back up your data before doing major repairs — because Windows has a funny way of making everything seem just a little more complicated than it needs to be.

Summary

Try a restart — sometimes Windows just needs a refresh.
Run sfc /scannow to fix corrupted system files.
Rebuild the BCD if boot configs got wonky.
Use System Restore to go back to a working setup.
Check your hardware if problems persist.

Fingers crossed this helps

If this gets one fix done and dusted, it’s a win. No promises, but these are the most common solutions that have helped out in real-world situations. Good luck — and hopefully this saves someone a few hours of frustration.