BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO
What is this error?
The registry or system configuration data is corrupted. Windows couldn't read critical configuration from the registry hive.
Common causes
- corrupted Windows registry
- failed Windows update
- sudden power loss during registry write
- failing system drive
- BCD corruption
How to fix it
- Run startup repair
- restore registry from backup
- run sfc /scannow
- check disk health
Too many steps? Crashless can diagnose this automatically — checks your drivers, temps, VRAM, and 400+ known error patterns.
Get free AI diagnosis Detailed analysis
Bug check 0x00000074 (BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO) means Windows found corrupted data in the system registry or Boot Configuration Data (BCD). This often prevents Windows from booting normally.
Usually happens after a failed Windows update, sudden power loss, or when the system drive is failing.
How to fix it:
- Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (hold Shift while clicking Restart, or boot from USB)
- Try Startup Repair first — it can fix BCD and basic registry issues automatically
- Open Command Prompt from recovery and run: 'bootrec /fixmbr', 'bootrec /fixboot', 'bootrec /rebuildbcd'
- Restore the registry from backup: from recovery Command Prompt, copy registry hives from C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack to C:\Windows\System32\config\
- Run 'sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows' from recovery
- Check disk health — if your system drive is failing, back up data immediately
- If nothing works, an in-place Windows repair upgrade preserves files while replacing system files
When to seek help
If this error keeps happening after trying the fixes above, it may point to a deeper hardware or system issue. Consider professional help if:
- The crash occurs across multiple games or applications
- You see the same error after a clean Windows install
- Your PC is less than a year old (could be a warranty issue)
- You smell burning or hear unusual sounds from your PC
Or let Crashless do the deep analysis for you -- our AI checks drivers, temps, event logs, and 400+ known patterns automatically.
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