The file boot.ini is a Microsoft initialization file found on the Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows 2000, and Microsoft Windows XP operating systems. This file is always on the root directory of the primary hard drive. In other words, it is located at C:\ directory or the C Drive. Microsoft Windows uses this file as a method of displaying a menu of operating systems currently on the computer allowing the user to select what operating system to load. The information in boot.ini is also used to point to the locations of each of the operating systems.

How to view the contents of boot.ini

The file boot.ini can be viewed and some options can be changed by following the steps below.

  • How to view the contents of boot.ini.

  • Example of the boot menu.

  • Basic example of a boot.ini file.

  • How to modify boot.ini.

  • Available boot.ini switches.

  • How to rebuild the Windows boot.ini.

  • Click Start > Run.

  • In the Run line, type msconfig and press Enter.

  • Click the boot.ini tab.

Example of the boot menu

If multiple operating systems are configured in boot.ini, as the computer boots a menu similar to the example below is shown. If your computer doesn’t have multiple operating systems, but this menu still appears each time your computer boots, it’s likely the boot.ini is improperly configured.

If you have an option in the boot menu that doesn’t work, such as a missing version of Windows. Try clicking the “Check All Boot Paths” button in the boot.ini tab to fix this issue without having to manually edit boot.ini as instructed below.

Basic example of a boot.ini file

[boot loader]timeout=5default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS[operating systems]multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS=“Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition” /fastdetect

In the above example, boot.ini contains two sections, the [boot loader], and [operating systems]. In the boot loader section, there are two lines. The “timeout” value defines how long, in seconds, the boot menu should be shown. We recommend the timeout be set to at least five seconds. The “default” line is the default operating system that boot.ini loads. If multiple operating systems are configured in the boot.ini, the default operating system is automatically selected and used if not changed before the timeout expires.

Please select the operating system to start: Microsoft Windows XP Home EditionMicrosoft Windows 2000 Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice. Press Enter to choose. For troubleshooting and advanced startup options for Windows, press F8.

The next section, or the “operating system” section, lists and specifies the location of each of the operating systems installed on the computer. Below is a listing of each of the options.

How to modify boot.ini

The file boot.ini file is a hidden system file located in the root directory of your primary hard drive. To edit this file, follow the steps below.

  • In a computer using only IDE, this option will work with up to four hard drives. In a computer using only SCSI, this option will work with the first two drives on the primary SCSI controller. Finally, if a computer is using IDE and SCSI, this option will work with the IDE drives on the first controller.

  • From Windows, open an MS-DOS prompt by clicking Start > Run, and typing cmd in the text box. If you are not able to get into an MS-DOS prompt to edit boot.ini, boot into the Recovery Console to edit the file.

  • How to use the Windows Recovery Console.

  • At the MS-DOS prompt, type the following commands.

c: cd\ attrib -r -a -s -h boot.ini edit boot.ini

  • Attrib command help.
  • Edit command help.

Available boot.ini switches

Below is a listing of available boot.ini switches and a brief explanation. These switches help setup or troubleshoot a computer.

How to rebuild boot.ini

  • How to rebuild the Windows boot.ini.
  • See our boot definition for further information and related links.
  • Microsoft Windows help and support.