Windows 11 I'm trying to reinstall Windows 11 from Ubuntu via the UEFI boot screen, but I get an error (0xc000014c) when trying to do so from the UEFI setup.

[Awitt2001]

Currently, my computer is running Ubuntu 22.04.5.

(I also asked this on Ubuntu forums, and was told that this was a Windows problem, not an Ubuntu problem, so I'm asking here as well.)

I tried reinstalling Windows 11 using a .iso file, but when I do so, I get the following error:

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"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:



1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.

2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."

3. Click "Repair your computer.”



If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD

Status: 0xc000014c

Info: The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors."

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This is after I downloaded, installed, and ran a boot repair file, also via the UEFI boot menu. What should I do?

 

[ChatGPT]

The error code 0xc000014c indicates that the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is either missing or corrupted. It can occur during Windows installation or booting and often involves issues with the UEFI or bootloader setup. Let's tackle this step-by-step to fix your situation.

Possible Reasons for the Error:​

• The Windows 11 installation media (ISO file) may not have been created or written to the bootable disk properly.
• The bootloader used by the system could still be recognizing remnants of the Ubuntu installation or conflicting settings.
• UEFI misconfiguration or issues with the partition structure on your drive.

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Solutions to Try:​

Step 1: Verify the Windows Installation Media​

• If the ISO was converted to a bootable media using Ubuntu, ensure it was done correctly. Use tools like Rufus or Ventoy (from another Windows system, if available) to create a proper Windows installer on a USB drive.
• Alternatively, you can verify that the ISO is legitimate by redownloading it directly from Microsoft’s official https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11.
  On Ubuntu:
  Use dd or tools like WoeUSB to create the bootable USB.
  

  bash
     sudo dd if=/path-to-windows.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress

  Replace sdX with the correct USB device identifier.

Step 2: Set UEFI Firmware Settings​

• Boot into your system’s BIOS/UEFI settings.
• Ensure that:
• Secure Boot is enabled.
• Boot Mode is set to UEFI Only (not Legacy or CSM mode).
• Fast Boot is disabled for troubleshooting.
• Set USB devices or installation media as the first boot priority.
• Check the boot order and confirm that no conflicting entries (e.g., Ubuntu GRUB loader) remain.

Step 3: Prepare the Disk​

Since you’re reinstalling, it’s best to clean up the disk partitions to ensure no remnants of Ubuntu or an old installation cause conflicts:

• Boot into the installation media and open Command Prompt during the Windows installation process:
• On the installation page, press Shift + F10 to bring up the prompt.
• Run the following commands:
  

  bash
     diskpart
     list disk
     select disk 0
     clean
     convert gpt
     exit

  Replace disk 0 with the drive number where Windows will be installed.
  Warning: This will erase ALL data on the disk. Back up anything important beforehand.

Step 4: Repair BCD​

If the error persists during installation, you may need to repair the BCD manually:

• Boot into the Windows installation USB.
• Choose Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
• Run these commands one by one:
  

  cmd
     bootrec /fixmbr
     bootrec /fixboot
     bootrec /scanos
     bootrec /rebuildbcd

  If prompted to add an installation to the boot list, type Y.

Step 5: Reinstall Windows​

• After addressing the BCD and partition, restart the system.
• Proceed with a clean Windows 11 installation:
• Select the newly cleaned and converted drive as the installation target.
• Finish the installation process.

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If All Else Fails:​

If the problem still occurs:

• Double-check the file integrity of the ISO.
• Consider flashing your BIOS/UEFI to the latest version from your motherboard’s manufacturer website to address any firmware issues.
• Provide detailed screenshots or logs for further assistance. If you have used a boot repair tool (from Ubuntu), there might be relevant logs from that tool.

Let me know where you’re stuck, or if you’re encountering additional errors!

 

[datawizard0103]

• Check UEFI/BIOS: Ensure it's set to UEFI mode and Secure Boot is off.
• Create a bootable USB: Use Rufus or Windows Media Creation Tool.
• Boot from USB: Restart and select the USB drive from the boot menu.
• Repair boot: In Command Prompt, run:
• bootrec /fixmbr
  bootrec /fixboot
  bootrec /rebuildbcd
  
  
• Check EFI partition: In Ubuntu, check if the BCD file is in the EFI partition.
• Reinstall Windows: If repairs fail, delete Windows partitions and reinstall.

 

[ChatGPT]

Great list of troubleshooting steps, @datawizard0103! Here's a quick recap with some additional pointers to help resolve the 0xc000014c error when reinstalling Windows 11 from Ubuntu through the UEFI boot screen:

• Check UEFI/BIOS Settings:
  Make sure your firmware is set to boot in UEFI mode. If Secure Boot is enabled, try turning it off as it may interfere with booting from your USB drive.
• Create a Bootable USB:
  Use reliable tools like Rufus or the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive. Confirm that your USB is formatted with the proper filesystem (FAT32 is recommended for UEFI).
• Boot from the USB:
  Restart your computer and access the boot menu (usually by pressing a key like F12, Esc, or F10, depending on your hardware). Select the USB drive to boot from.
• Repair Boot Configuration (if needed):
  If the boot error persists, boot into the Windows recovery environment via your bootable USB, open Command Prompt, and run the following commands to repair the boot configuration:
  

  bootrec /fixmbr
  bootrec /fixboot
  bootrec /rebuildbcd

• Check the EFI Partition:
  In Ubuntu, you can mount the EFI partition to check if the BCD (Boot Configuration Data) file exists and is intact. For example:
  

  sudo mount /dev/sdXY /mnt
  ls -l /mnt/EFI/Microsoft/Boot/

  Replace /dev/sdXY with the correct partition identifier for your EFI partition.
• Reinstall Windows:
  If the above repairs don’t work, consider deleting the Windows partitions (after backing up any data) and performing a fresh installation. This ensures that any corrupt boot data from a previous install is removed.

These steps should cover the common fixes for error 0xc000014c, ensuring your UEFI setup and bootable media are properly configured. If you continue to experience issues, double-check that your bootable USB is created correctly and that your BIOS settings haven’t reverted. Let me know if you need further assistance!