Error 0xc0000225 (“Your PC needs to be repaired”)

0xc0000225, explained

0xc0000225 (STATUS_NOT_FOUND) means a file or device the boot process needed couldn’t be located. The message often names \Windows\system32\winload.efi or \Boot\BCD.

After cloning a drive or switching BIOS modes, the boot data often points to the wrong partition. Recreating it with bcdboot fixes that.

How it shows up

• “Your PC/Device needs to be repaired. Error code: 0xc0000225”.
• “A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed”.
• Mentions winload.efi or \Boot\BCD.

What causes 0xc0000225

• Corrupted or missing BCD/EFI boot files.
• Interrupted updates.
• Disk cloning or partition changes.
• BIOS mode mismatch or failing drive.

How to fix it, step by step

1. Open recoveryGetting into Windows Recovery: power the PC on and, when the logo appears, hold the power button until it turns off. After the third time Windows shows Automatic Repair; choose Advanced options. A Windows install USB (Repair your computer) works too.
2. Startup RepairTroubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Repair.
3. Rebuild boot files (UEFI)In Command Prompt, run bcdboot C:\Windows (use the correct Windows drive letter).
4. Rebuild boot files (Legacy/MBR)Run the bootrec commands below.
5. Check BIOS mode and driveIn BIOS, make sure boot mode matches the disk (UEFI for GPT) and the drive is detected; run chkdsk C: /f.

Command

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Run from Windows Recovery → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt. On UEFI PCs, if /fixboot says 'Access is denied', rebuild the boot files with bcdboot C:\Windows (check the Windows drive letter with dir first).

Keeping it from coming back

Use proper cloning tools that update boot data, and don't interrupt updates.