EasyBCD facts for kids
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| Original author(s) | Mahmoud H. Al-Qudsi |
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| Developer(s) | NeoSmart Technologies |
| Initial release | July 4, 2006 |
| Stable release |
2.4 / November 28, 2018
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| Written in | C++ and C# |
| Operating system | Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows PE, Windows 10 and Windows 11 |
| Platform | .NET Framework 2.0 or .NET Framework 4.0 |
| Size | 1.83 MiB |
| Type | Utility software |
| License | Freemium |
EasyBCD is a computer program made by NeoSmart Technologies. It helps you set up and change how your computer starts up. It works with something called the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). This BCD is like a special list that tells Windows how to load. Windows Vista was the first to use it, and all newer Windows versions still do.
EasyBCD is super useful if you want to have more than one operating system on your computer. For example, you could have Windows, Linux, or even Mac OS X all on the same machine! It also lets you add special tools to your computer's startup menu. You can even change how that menu looks and acts.
Since 2011, EasyBCD is free for home users and non-profit groups. But if a business wants to use it, they need to buy a license.
Contents
How EasyBCD Helps Different Operating Systems Start
EasyBCD runs on Windows computers. It changes the Windows Boot Configuration Data (BCD) to help other operating systems load.
Starting Older Windows Versions
For older Windows versions like Windows XP, EasyBCD can pass control to an older startup program called NTLDR. Or, it can use its own special program called EasyLDR. EasyLDR helps Windows start directly without extra steps.
Starting Other Operating Systems
- Linux and BSD systems can start using EasyBCD. It can either pass control to their own startup programs like GRUB or LILO. Or, it can use EasyBCD's own NeoGrub tool, which is based on GRUB4DOS.
- Mac OS X can be started using its Darwin bootloader. EasyBCD helps load this program.
- EasyBCD can also help start other operating systems by loading their specific startup programs. This is like one program helping another program get started.
Cool Features of EasyBCD
EasyBCD has many features to help you manage how your computer starts.
Setting Up Your Computer's Startup
EasyBCD helps you fix and set up the "bootloader." The bootloader is the first program that runs when you turn on your computer. It makes sure your operating system loads correctly.
Managing the Bootloader
In EasyBCD's "Manage Bootloader" section, you can easily switch between different bootloaders. You can choose the newer bootmgr (used since Windows Vista) or the older NTLDR (used by Windows XP and older). This is done with just a click!
Saving and Restoring Startup Settings
EasyBCD lets you save a copy of your BCD settings. This is like making a backup of your computer's startup instructions. If something goes wrong, you can easily bring back your saved settings. This is great for testing new setups or fixing problems.
Fixing Startup Problems
The "Diagnostics Center" in EasyBCD is like a troubleshooting area. If your BCD settings get damaged, EasyBCD can reset them. It can also create the necessary startup entries for your current Windows system. It can even find and replace missing or damaged startup files. This feature can help you install the Windows Vista BCD bootloader if needed.
Changing Startup Options
EasyBCD lets you change which drive your computer starts from. You can also rename or change the order of any startup options in your boot menu. This means you can decide which operating system starts first. You can also change how long the startup menu waits before picking a default option.
Creating Bootable USB Drives
Newer versions of EasyBCD can help you create special USB drives. These USB drives can start your computer. You can use them to create repair tools or portable operating systems.
Working with Windows Versions
EasyBCD supports many different Windows versions. You can use it to set up and manage how these versions start:
- MS-DOS 6.x
- Windows 95-ME
- Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003
- Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
- Windows 7
- Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
Depending on the Windows version, EasyBCD offers extra options. For example, you can boot into different "safe modes" to fix problems. You can also limit how much memory or how many CPU cores Windows uses when it starts.
EasyBCD uses a special tool called EasyLDR for Windows NT/2000/XP. This tool helps these older Windows versions start directly. It avoids showing you a second menu, making the startup process smoother.
Working with Windows PE
Windows PE (PE stands for Preinstallation Environment) is a small version of Windows. It's often used for installing or repairing computers. EasyBCD can help you start two types of Windows PE systems:
- Compressed Windows PE files (called WIM images)
- Windows PE partitions (parts of your hard drive with Windows PE on them)
EasyBCD can boot into Windows PE WIM images stored on any part of your computer. You just tell it where the WIM file is. It also supports booting into Windows PE files that have been copied to a drive.
Working with Linux
EasyBCD can start Linux in two main ways:
- Chainloading: This means EasyBCD loads another program (like GRUB or LILO) that then starts Linux. EasyBCD has settings for popular Linux startup programs like GRUB, GRUB2, LILO, and Wubi (for Ubuntu).
- NeoGrub: EasyBCD comes with its own version of a program called Grub for Dos, which is named NeoGrub. You can set up NeoGrub to directly start your Linux system.
Working with BSD
EasyBCD has a special tool for starting BSD-based operating systems. This tool works with the BTX bootloader. It helps BSD systems start on both older (BIOS) and newer (UEFI) computer setups. The PC-BSD setup wizard even works with this feature of EasyBCD.
Working with Mac OS X
EasyBCD can help start Mac OS X by loading its Darwin bootloader. This is useful if you have Mac OS X on a different part of your hard drive. It makes it easier to have both Windows and Mac OS X on the same computer.
Using Removable Devices
EasyBCD can create special startup options for portable devices. These can be used on your computer's regular startup menu. But they are even more useful for external devices like USB drives.
EasyBCD can create entries that start from:
- Hard disk images (like VHD files)
- ISO images (like disc images)
- Windows PE WIM files
- Floppy disk images
See also
- Multi boot
- Windows Boot Manager
Images for kids
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EasyBCD logo
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A screenshot of the EasyBCD program
