Delete invalid entry from the boot configuration data store on Windows Server 2008 (R2).

Recently I came across the following issue on a HP DL380 G5 server with freshly installed Windows Server 2008 R2 (click on the picture for a larger image).

I have no idea what caused this. Probably an unfinished Windows installation or something. Anyway, it was annoying me 🙂 so I decided to remove the invalid boot configuration identifier from the boot configuration data store.

1. When logged in with an Administrator account, start the command prompt.
2. Next, display de identifiers and  locate the invalid one: C:>bcdedit /enum /v
3. Remove the invalid entry by typing: C:>bcdedit /delete {identifier from step 2} /cleanup
4. You should get the “The operation completed successfully” message.
5. Verify that the invalid entry is removed by typing: C:>bcdedit /enum /v
6. Exit the command prompt and reboot the server.

The server should boot without displaying the Windows Boot Manager menu.

Cheers!

– Marek.Z