How To Add Windows 11/10 Installation To Boot Menu List

On my test PC, I am running Windows 11 in dual boot with Windows 10.

The other day, I decided to write a detailed guide on resetting Windows 11 installation. So, to cover the directions step by step and take screenshots, I reset the Windows 11 installation.

When the reset operation of Windows 11 was completed, I noticed that the Windows 10 entry was missing from the boot menu. A quick search revealed many users encounter this issue after resetting, updating, or reinstalling one of the installed Windows installations on the computer.

As you know, without the entry in the boot menu, we cannot boot into that Windows installation. Luckily, adding Windows installation back to the boot menu is an easy affair.

So, in this guide, we will tell you how to add the Windows 10/11 installation back to the boot menu list.

Method 1 of 2

Add Windows 11/10 installation to boot menu via Command Prompt

Use this method if you can boot into one of the Windows 11/10 installations on your computer. I used this method to add the Windows 10 installation to the boot menu quickly.

To add the entry without booting into Windows, please refer to the directions in Method 2 (scroll down to see).

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as administrator by typing CMD, right-clicking on the Command Prompt entry, and clicking the Run as administrator option.

Click the Yes button when you get the User Account Control screen.

Step 2: Type the following command at the Command Prompt window and then hit the Enter key.

bcdboot d:\windows

In the above command, replace the letter “d” with the Windows 11/10 installation drive letter that you want to add to the boot menu.

Step 3: You should see the “Boot files successfully created” message. You may now exit the Command Prompt.

Restart your PC to check if the Windows 11/10 installation is indeed added to the boot menu list.

Method 2 of 2

Add Windows 11/10 installation to boot menu when PC is not booting up

Step 1: Start or restart your PC and access the Advanced startup options. There are multiple ways out there to access the Advanced startup options. Please refer to our how-to access advanced startup options in Windows 11/10 guide for detailed instructions.

Step 2: When you are at the Advanced options screen, click on Command Prompt entry. Your PC will restart and open the Command Prompt window on the screen.

Step 3: At the Command Prompt, execute the following command:

bcdboot c:\windows

In the above command, the letter “c” represents the Windows 11/10 installation drive letter. So, replace the letter “c” with the drive letter of the Windows installation drive that you want to add to the boot menu. If you do not know the drive letter, skip to the next step.

If you get the “Boot files successfully created” message, stop here and restart your PC. If you get any error messages or do not know the drive letter, you can try the directions mentioned in the next step.

Step 4: Type the following command and then press the Enter key to rebuild the BCD Store.

bootrec /rebuildbcd

Step 5: Upon running the above command, you will get the confirmation message.

Step 6: Type “Y” and press the Enter key to add the detected Windows 11/10 installation to the boot menu.

You may close the Command Prompt and restart your PC to see your Windows 11/10 installation in the boot menu.

Our how to change the boot order in Windows 11/10 guide might also interest you.