0x00000074
Microsoft Windows BSOD
Severity: CriticalWhat it means
BSOD 0x00000074 (BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO) means the Windows registry or boot configuration data is corrupted.
Windows cannot read the system configuration needed to start.
Try System Restore or the Startup Repair tool from Recovery.
Affected Models
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 8.1
Common Causes
- Windows Registry corrupted
- Boot Configuration Data (BCD) damaged
- Hard drive or SSD developing bad sectors
- Failed Windows update corrupting system files
- RAM failure causing data corruption
How to Fix It
-
Boot into Recovery Mode and run Startup Repair.
If Windows cannot start: hold Shift while clicking Restart (from the login screen).
Or force-restart 3 times to trigger automatic Recovery.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair. -
Try System Restore to roll back to a working state.
From Recovery: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
Select a restore point from before the problem started. -
Run SFC and DISM from Command Prompt in Recovery.
From Recovery: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Run: sfc /scannow
Then: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth -
Rebuild the BCD: bootrec /rebuildbcd.
From Command Prompt in Recovery, run:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my files?
System Restore and Startup Repair do not delete personal files.
Only a full Windows reinstall would affect your files — and even then, you can choose to keep them.
Can bad RAM cause this error?
Yes.
Faulty RAM can corrupt data written to the registry and boot files.
Run Windows Memory Diagnostic or Memtest86 to check your RAM.