Ordinary PC users don't even realize how big the value of the boot. ini. What kind of file is this, and what is its purpose?

What is boot.ini?

Boot.ini is a boot file. It is usually located in the root of the directory in which your OS is installed. Boot.ini contains basic information about operating parameters and OS location. You may encounter this file if you use several different operating systems on your personal computer. In this case, during startup, a black screen appears on your PC monitor with a list of available operating systems and the ability to select. The screen also displays the time after which the operating system will boot by default.

A file called boot.ini is used to boot the operating system. You can find options for installing multiple operating systems on the same computer. In this case, we are talking about operating systems of the Windows family, since in other operating systems the boot file is called differently and has a different extension. For any operating systems, the name of the download file does not matter. It simply specifies the path to boot the operating system. If several operating systems are installed on the computer, the bootloader will prompt the user to download one of them. The download file is also an intermediary for starting the operating system.

What information is stored in the boot.ini file

Let's see what kind of information is responsible for loading the OS. If you have one operating system, the type of boot file may be limited to standard text and a set of commands. For example, to load service packs and XP versions from the boot.ini file, the standard contents of the file are used.

The file contains only a few basic parameters. Similar parameters are available in boot files of all versions of Windows operating systems. Differences are permissible only for the basic boot parameters of NT systems, which were created as service versions of the OS and were designed to work on a network.

An important parameter is the waiting time or timeout. In any operating system, this parameter has a default value of 30. In other words, the boot delay will be 30 seconds. You can find other values ​​for this parameter. If timeout is set to 0, the boot menu will not be displayed at all. The value of the default C:\ parameter indicates the path to the OS launcher.

The system itself and its components are located in the Windows folder. If your PC uses multiple operating systems at once, this setting will change. And it doesn’t matter what operating systems will be located nearby. Only the paths will be written in the line, and the user will only have to make a choice.

Location of the boot.ini file

Now the most interesting question is where should the boot.ini file be located? First of all, it is worth noting that finding the download file on any operating system is not so easy. As a rule, this file is hidden from the user's eyes so that he does not accidentally make any changes to it. Experienced PC users know that in order to see the download file, you must first enable the display mode of all folders and files hidden by the developer.

Any user can easily access the download file. All you need to do is use the “Tools” menu, which contains the “Folder Options” tab. In the menu you need to use the "View" tab. Here you just need to check the “Show hidden folders, drives and files” option. Now you can easily find the boot.ini file. It is usually located in the cortex of drive C. Pay attention to the attributes of this file. By default, the attribute is set to “Read Only”. This is done so that the user cannot edit or delete this file. Any unauthorized actions may make access to the operating system impossible.

Download file in different versions of Windows OS

As for the storage location, in principle it does not matter. Boot.ini is a conditional initializer that is loaded into the computer's memory before the OS starts, asking you to choose what to load. Many well-known boot managers act in a similar way, which are used in case of complete inoperability of the operating system and the presence of malware that cannot be removed by standard methods. This is especially true for RAM. The virus blocks the launch of a number of applications, thereby loading the central processor and RAM with system requests.

You can boot any operating system installed on your PC without any problems. For example, to make the selected operating system boot by default, you simply need to use the path described in the boot file. You can do it differently and set the priority to boot a different type of operating system from the desired partition. More can be achieved by installing boot clients, which are otherwise called boot managers. They start even before the OS selection starts, so you can select everything there. The boot.ini file is processed automatically by such boot managers. In addition, they make their own adjustments to the contents of the download file.

Editing the boot file

Let's talk about editing the boot file and changing parameters. In Windows, as in any other system, the Boot.ini file can be opened quite simply. Ignore its expansion. You can open this file in a standard application of any operating system called Notepad. The file contents contain text data that any editor can recognize. The main thing is to save the file in its original format in the same place. But first, it’s better to create a copy of the original. You must also first take care of creating a backup copy of all information available on the hard drive and the operating system image. It wouldn't hurt to create a standard Windows restore point either.

All changes made to the download file will take effect only after the system is rebooted. After the restart, the file and the entire boot sector, which is responsible for loading the operating system, will be analyzed.

Precautionary measures

Inexperienced PC users should still not make changes to the download file. Even if you have an idea of ​​what the operating system boot file is, do not change it under any circumstances. Only experienced users who understand the intricacies of installing and configuring operating systems can do this. System administrators who control the loading of operating systems on computer terminals can also change the contents of the boot file.

From all of the above, we can draw a simple conclusion: the boot.ini file is one of the most important attributes of loading the operating system. To believe that its removal or modification could lead to serious consequences is, of course, not entirely correct. However, it is still better not to experiment with such things. Especially without first creating a system image and a hard drive backup.

Conclusion

Boot.ini is one of the most important files of the operating system. It plays a very important role when loading the OS. Typically, boot.ini is a plaintext file that is stored in the system root. Because boot.ini is a system file, it is set to "hidden" and "read-only". This means that you simply won’t be able to see this file in Explorer.

Editing the Boot.ini file can be done on a running OS. There is nothing complicated about this, just find the hidden file with Boot.ini in the root directory of the system drive and make the appropriate changes to it. You can access a hidden file by selecting “Show hidden files” in the “View” tab of the service menu. You can edit and change the boot.ini file only if you have an understanding of the operating system boot file and understand its contents.

Have you ever had to install several O.S.(Operating systems), on one computer.

If you have, you probably noticed that when you start the computer, within 30 seconds it allows us to select the one O.S, which we would like to download now.

In this case, if you do not make a choice, the system will boot by default. This function is performed by the Windows boot loader.

As you can see in the screenshot, the bootloader stores only a few lines of information about the system boot.

If you installed or uninstalled Windows incorrectly, a record of O.C., will be stored inoperative in the bootloader boot.ini. To remove it painlessly for the system, you just need to remove the extra line and that’s it🙂.

2 How to create a Windows boot loader

For example, the task is as follows.

You suddenly lostboot.ini . At the same time, you have two working operating systems on your computer,WindowsXP And Windows 7.

Do you know that XP,you have it on a separate physical disk, in the sectionC, A Windows 7is on diskD,also on a separate physical disk (i.e.installed in the housingtwo HDD) .

The goal is to make it possible to boot from any system, whileWindows 7should load by default, wait time 10 seconds.

and change it.

The entry will look like this:

timeout=10

default= multi (0) disk (0) rdisk (1) partition (1)\WINDOWS

multi (0) disk (0) rdisk (0) partition (1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XPProfessionalRU" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

multi (0) disk (0) rdisk (1) partition (1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

As you can see, everything is simple. All we had to do was change the physical disk number in the valuedefault.And by copying the last line, we change the boot and name of Windows.

Also, if any entries inboot.ini do not work correctly, you can fix them by meanswindows. To do this in the menu Start - run - command "Msconfig" , find the tab boot.ini and press "check all download paths".

In my case, the download path isWindows 7not working, so I agree to remove the line fromboot.ini.

Very few users, of course, except for system specialists, imagine what a certain incomprehensible boot.ini file is, even seeing such a startup line in the menu of the same name, called by the msconfig command. Let's figure out what this file is and what it is used for.

What is the boot.ini file in the OS?

In general, if anyone doesn’t know, it is the file called boot.ini that serves one single purpose - loading the operating system. At the same time, it is sometimes possible to come across options for installing several operating systems on a computer (in this case we are talking specifically about “operating systems” of the Windows family, since in any other operating systems such a download file is called differently and has a completely different extension).

Fundamentally, for any OS the names do not matter. The fact is that the file itself simply indicates the path to boot the operating system. If there are several installed systems, the bootloader will work and offer to load one or another OS from the configuration specified in the boot.ini file. It is also interesting that the file itself is also a manager, an intermediary for starting operating systems.

Information stored in the file

Now let's try to look at what the information is that is responsible for loading Windows. In the standard version, if there is only one OS on a computer terminal or laptop, the type of file can be reduced to the presence of standard text and the commands specified in it. For example, standard content is used to load XP versions and Windows service packs from the contents of the boot.ini file.

As can be seen even with the naked eye, there are several basic parameters here. By the way, they are available in all versions of boot files for various modifications of the Windows OS itself. Differences can only be observed in the basic boot parameters of Windows NT systems, which were originally created as server versions and designed to work on a local network.

First of all, this is the waiting time - timeout (response, timeout), which in any OS, as a rule, has a default value of “30”. In other words, it's a 30 second delay. Sometimes you can find other values ​​for this parameter.

For example, when the value is set to “0”, the boot menu will not be displayed at all, and when the parameter is set to “1” it will “hang” on the monitor indefinitely.

The value assigned to the "default C:\" parameter is the default path to the operating system startup tool (usually from drive C, as indicated by the default letter). The system itself, or rather its main components, is located in the “Windows” folder in the root directory of the disk.

If your computer uses several operating systems, this parameter may change. Moreover, it does not matter at all whether the same Windows or Linux operating systems will be adjacent. The specified paths will simply be written in the lines, and then, as they say, the choice is up to the user.

A simple example would be using two systems, say Windows Millennium and Windows XP, where the file looks like this:

timeout=30
default=C:\
C:\="Windows Millennium Edition"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect

Commands like “multi” are used only if present in the BIOS for IDE, ESD or SCSI disks, as well as when choosing to boot one of the installed OSs. Lines like “rdisc(0)” or “partition” almost always have a zero value and indicate that the interrupt cannot be used for multiple disk controllers, or shows the serial number of the disk or logical partition from which, in fact, the selected at the moment "OS".

File location

Now let's look at the burning question of where the boot.ini file is located. Firstly, it is worth saying that finding the file itself on any system, be it Windows NT or other OS versions, is not so easy. The thing is that the file itself is hidden from the user’s eyes so that he (God forbid) does not change anything in it.

But experienced users know that they first need to enable the full display mode of absolutely all files and folders hidden by Windows developers for security purposes, and only then search for the file they are looking for. In principle, even an ordinary user can access it. To do this, you just need to use the “Tools” menu, where there is a transition line “Folder Options”. Having entered the menu, you need to use the “View” tab, checking the “Show hidden files, folders and drives” option (paths are indicated for Windows 7).

Only after this will it be possible to find out where the boot.ini file with all its parameters is located. The standard location is the root drive “C” (naturally, if the OS is installed on it). In addition, it is worth paying attention to the attributes. By default, the attribute is set to Read Only. This is done only so that the user, through inappropriate and sometimes completely unforeseen or random actions, cannot delete it or edit it in such a way that starting any system installed on the computer will become completely impossible.

Boot.ini file in different versions of Windows

As for the content and where the file itself is stored, in principle, it does not matter. The boot.ini file itself is a kind of conditional initializer that is loaded into the memory of the computer system even before the operating system starts, offering a choice of what exactly needs to be loaded.

By the way, many boot managers used in the event of a complete crash of Windows or the presence of viruses that cannot be removed using the standard method operate in a similar way. This is especially true for RAM, when the virus blocks the launch of applications, loading the RAM and central processor to the maximum with system requests.

Loading with an initializer

As is already clear, you can load any OS installed on a computer terminal without any problems. For example, to boot the system by default, it is enough to use the specified path in

You can do it differently by specifying the priority of loading an “OS” of any other type from the desired partition. By installing appropriate boot clients, usually called boot managers, even more can be achieved. The fact is that (as expected) they start even before the system selection starts. So you can choose whatever you want there. Moreover, Windows systems process such boot.ini files automatically, making their own adjustments to the contents of the boot file.

Editing a file

As for changing parameters and editing the file itself in the same Windows 7 system, the boot.ini file (as in any other OS) opens quite simply. Don’t look at the fact that it has a system extension; you can open it in a regular standard application of any operating system called “Notepad”. Yes, yes, you read that right. The file itself contains text data in its content, and any editor is capable of processing such information. The only thing you need after this is to simply save the file in the original format and in the same location.

True, it’s worth first creating a copy of the original file. You also need to take care of the data on your hard drive, operating system image, or standard Windows restore point.

Saving and reloading

It goes without saying that the changes made, even at a high professional level, still will not take effect without rebooting the system. Only after the restart will the boot sector and the file itself responsible for starting the OS (one or more from the list) be analyzed.

Cautions

As is already clear, ordinary users need to be extremely careful with such changes. Even if they know what the OS boot.ini file is, it is not recommended to change it under any circumstances. This can be done either by advanced users who know a lot about installing operating systems, or by system administrators who control the loading of the OS on slave computer terminals with preset parameters.

Actually, from all this you can understand that this text file is almost the main attribute of loading the system. Of course, it is wrong to believe that deleting or changing it can lead to some very serious consequences (it can be restored), however, it is better not to do such things, especially if you have not previously created a restore point or a backup copy of the data or system image.

This article describes how to view and change the Boot.ini file using the Windows XP Startup and Recovery tool. Windows XP contains components that make it easier to view and change this file.

Before making changes to the Boot.ini file, it is recommended that you back it up. To do this, you must first enable viewing of hidden files.

Backing up the Boot.ini file

1. My computer and select Properties.
   or
   On the menu Start select item Execute, enter the command sysdm.cpl and press the button OK.
2. On the tab Additionally in the group click the button Settings
click the button Edit. The file opens in Notepad for editing.
3. IN " Notepad» click File in the panel Menu and select a team Save as.
4. Right-click an empty space in the dialog box Save as, select a command New in context menu and then select Folder.
5. Enter a folder name, for example, temp and press the key ENTER to create a folder called " temp»
6. Double-click this folder and then click Save to save a backup copy of the file Boot.ini.

Editing the Boot.ini file

1. Right click the icon My computer and select Properties.
   or
   On the menu Start select item Execute, enter the command sysdm.cpl and press the button OK.
2. On the tab Additionally in the group click the button Settings.
click the button Edit

Example Boot.ini file

Below is a sample file Boot.ini, used by default on computers running Windows XP Professional

timeout=30

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect

Changing the Boot.ini file

If you are editing the Boot.ini file using the Boot and Recovery dialog box, where you can select a default operating system, setting a timeout, or manually editing the file, use the command line to enter Bootcfg.exe.

Note. The Bootcfg.exe utility is available only on the Windows XP Professional operating system. This utility is not available on the Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition operating system, so the contents in this section do not apply to the Windows XP Home Edition operating system

1. Click the button Start and select Execute.
2. In field Open enter the command cmd.
3. At the command prompt, enter bootcfg/?
4. After this, help and parameters for BOOTCFG.exe are displayed.

Adding an Operating System

At the command prompt, enter

bootcfg /copy /d /ID#

Where operating system description is a text description (for example, Windows XP Home Edition), and # is the number of the element in the “operating systems” section of the BOOT.INI file, a copy of which must be made

Removing the operating system

At the command prompt, enter

where # is the number of the item to be removed from the “operating systems” section of the BOOT.INI file (for example, 2, which corresponds to the second operating system in the list)

Selecting the default operating system

At the command prompt, enter

where # is the number of the element in the “operating systems” section of the BOOT.INI file, which will become the default operating system.

Setting the waiting time

At the command prompt, enter

where # is the time in seconds after which the default operating system will load

Opening the Boot.ini file to confirm changes

1. Right click the icon My computer and select Properties.
   or
   On the menu Start select item Execute, enter the command sysdm.cpl and press the button OK.
2. On the tab Additionally in the group click the button Settings.
click the button Edit

Sometimes when loading the operating system Windows XP The message appears .

This means that the boot file is missing (or corrupted) boot.ini. The boot loader will load the operating system from the C:\WINDOWS folder.

Basically, if the files are not corrupted, then Windows will load, it’s just that when loading for some time you will be bothered by the above message.

There are several ways to recover a file boot.ini.

Let's look at how to give new life to a file boot.ini by using recovery console.

Insert the boot disk with the installation package Windows XP Professional into the tray CD-ROM, reboot ;

– during reboot, press Delete to login CMOS Setup Utility;

– install boot from CD-ROM, press F10, changes made, a reboot will begin;

– when the installer Windows XP will load its files into RAM, a window will appear Installing Windows XP Professional, containing the selection menu from which we are interested in the item *To restore Windows XP using the Recovery Console, click;

– click R;

– the recovery console will load. If one is installed on and it () is installed on the disk C:, the following message will appear:

1: C:\WINDOWS

Which copy of Windows should I sign in to?

– enter 1 , press Enter;

– a message will appear:

Enter the administrator password:

– enter the password, press Enter(if there is no password, just click Enter);

– a system prompt will appear:

C:\WINDOWS>

– enter bootcfg /rebuild, press Enter;

– a message will appear:

Browse all drives to find installed Windows systems. Wait…

– after a while the following message will appear:

The search for installed Windows systems was successful.

Note: Search results are statically stored for this session. If the disk configuration changes during a session, you must first restart your computer and then repeat the search to get updated results.

Total number of detected Windows systems: 1

: C:\WINDOWS

Add system to boot list? (:

– enter Y, press Enter;

– a message will appear:

Enter your download ID:

– enter Microsoft Windows XP Professional RU, press Enter;

– a message will appear:

Enter boot parameters:

– enter /fastdetect, press Enter;

– at the system invitation C:\WINDOWS> enter enter exit, press Enter;

– click Del, sign in BIOS Setup and set to boot from hard drive;

– download Windows;

– file boot.ini restored

Notes

1. File bootcfg.exe- This Boot Configuration Tool.

2. Download ID represents the name of the operating system (for example, Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition).