Windows Boot Manager or simply BOOTMGR is preloaded software, is loaded when Windows starts. It is responsible for you to boot the Windows operating system version 10/8/7 or Windows Vista.
All the configuration information the BOOTMGR requires can be found in the (BCD) store or Boot Configuration Datastore, which is a database in the form of a registry. This database file replaced the boot.ini file used in Windows XP.
The BOOTMGR file is, by default, both read-only and hidden unlike other operating system files because of its sensitive nature. The boot manager file is located in the root directory of the primary partition of the computer. It is, by default, marked as “Active” in Disk Management always. Mostly it is labeled as “System Reserved” in Windows PCs, without the partition name.
If you cannot find any “System Reserved” partition or file then the BOOTMGR is located on the primary hard drive mostly in the C drive. The boot manager is responsible for loading the winload.exe file which is the system loader file that is used to start and continue the Windows boot-up process.
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How Can You Enable/Disable Boot Manager
The Windows Boot Manager file cannot be removed. However, to speed up the process you can reduce the time that it waits for the operating system that you want to start by choosing the default partition and the operating system and then reducing the timeout time. What it does is it skips the Windows Boot Manager when booting up the windows. To enable or disable the windows boot manager follow the steps below:
- Open the control panel > Administrative tools.
- Open the System configuration.
- Go to the Boot
- Find the Timeout option.
- Reduce the time and set it to 3s
- Click Apply and Ok.
More Information About Windows Boot Manager
BOOTMGR, loaded with winload.exe it replaces all the functions that are performed by the NTLDR file in previous versions of the Windows operating system, for example, Windows XP, Windows 7/8, etc. a new version is available by the name of Windows resume loader, winresume.exe.
The Boot Configuration Datastore is safer than the boot files and options that were present in previous versions of the Windows operating system because it lets the Administrators lock down the BCD store and give certain rights to other users to determine who can use and manage the boot options.
Being an Administrator of the computer system you have the right to edit the boot options in Windows older versions like Windows Vista and newer versions of Windows OS like 7/8 using the file BCDEdit.exe file that is included in those versions of Windows by default. However, in the older version of the Windows operating system, the Bootcfg and NvrBoot files are included and used instead.
Conclusion
The windows boot manager is responsible for loading the windows operating system and all the files associated with it to boot the computer. Windows boot-up process can be made faster and slower by editing the settings and even give special rights to other users to manage the windows boot manager.
