How to Repair or Replace Boot.ini in Windows XP
Repairing or replacing the boot.ini file usually takes less than 10 minutes, but the total time could be a lot longer if you need to locate a Windows XP CD.
How to Rebuild Boot Configuration Data in Newer Versions of Windows
In newer versions of Windows, like Windows 10 and Windows 8, boot configuration data is stored in the BCD data file, not in a boot.ini file. Follow the remaining steps to add your Windows XP installation to the boot.ini file. Assuming that a missing or corrupt boot.ini file was your only issue, Windows XP should now start normally. If you suspect that boot data is corrupt or missing in one of those operating systems, see How to Rebuild the BCD in Windows for a full tutorial.
Do I Have to Fix This Problem Myself?
No, you don’t have to manually run the command above and follow those steps in order to repair the boot.ini file—you do have the option of letting a third-party program do it for you. However, it’s really not that difficult if you follow the directions as they are. Plus, lots of the software that can fix the boot.ini file for you will cost you. You shouldn’t ever need to purchase a software program to fix errors with the boot.ini file. Even though there are probably dozens of applications that can do the fixing for you, when it comes down to the way those programs work, each of them will, at their core, be doing the exact same thing we described above. The only difference is that you can click a button or two to have the commands written out. If you’re curious, Fix Genius from Tenorshare is one such program. They have a free trial version that we haven’t tried, but it’s likely that not all the features will work unless you pay full price.
