Based on information I found online, I checked the "Maximum memory" option under "Advanced Boot Options" in System Configuration (msconfig), and now Windows 11 won't start up after rebooting...
Furthermore, you may encounter a blue screen error (BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO, 0xc0000218, HAL_MEMORY_ALLOCATION, etc.) and even safe mode won't boot.
In this article, we will explain how to forcefully disable this setting and restore the computer to boot using only the command prompt, even if you do not have a restore point.
Why does it not start? (Cause)
Windows 11 normally automatically recognizes the amount of memory installed and allocates and manages the amount required for startup.
However, if an inappropriate value (such as an extremely low value or 0) is specified for "Maximum Memory" in msconfig, there will not be enough memory space to load the Windows kernel, causing the boot process to crash.
This "Maximum Memory" setting is a debugging feature that allows developers to "test operation in low memory environments."This is not a function for speeding up the process. There is no benefit to changing this for general use, and in fact there is a risk of it not booting up as in this case.
How to force cancel the setting using the command prompt
Even if "Startup Repair" doesn't work, you can solve the problem by deleting the "Memory Limit Settings" itself using a command. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Launch Command Prompt
Open a command prompt using one of the following methods:
1. From the Automatic Repair screen (Recovery Environment [WinRE])
1. When the blue screen appears, press and hold the power button to force shutdown > start your PC. Repeat this two or three times. When booting, the message "Preparing Automatic Repair" will appear, followed by "Diagnosing your PC."
After a while, the "Automatic Repair" screen will appear, so click "Advanced options" in the bottom right.
2. The "Choose an option" screen will appear, so select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced Options" > "Command Prompt" in that order.
reference:How to open the Recovery Environment (WinRE) in Windows 11
2. From the installation USB (recovery drive)
If you have another PC, the most reliable solution is to create a Windows 11 installation media (USB) and insert it into the problematic PC and boot from it.
- Connect the installation USB to the problem PC and change the boot order in BIOS to boot from the USB.
- When the Windows installation screen appears, click Next.
- Just click "Next" again.
- Select Repair your PC and click Next.
- A keyboard layout selection screen will appear, so select "Microsoft IME".
- Select Troubleshoot > Command Prompt.
If you are recovering from an installation USB (recovery drive):
If you do not have Windows 11 installation media (USB), please create it using one of the following methods.
Step 2: Run repair commands
When the black screen (command prompt) appears, enter the following command: Enter each line and press EnterPlease press.
① Remove maximum memory limit (truncatememory)
bcdedit /deletevalue {default} truncatememoryThis is the command to delete the "Maximum Memory" setting value, which is the source of the trouble.
- If successful: The message "The operation completed successfully" will be displayed.
- If you get an error: If you get the message "Element not found", it means that the setting is not already set or the identifier is different.
{default}part of{current}Please rewrite it as follows and try it.
If you see the message "The specified entry identifier is not valid":
Again, in this case, {default} The {current} Please rewrite it as follows and try it.
{default} , {current} In technical terms, this part is called an "identifier."Even a single character (brackets { } If it is incorrect, an error will occur.So please try to enter it correctly.
If you still get the error:
if {current} If an error still appears after changing it to "Addendum: [Advanced] If you still get an error (specifying the correct identifier) ' Please try the steps below.
② Delete the setting (removememory) that excludes a specified amount from the total amount of physical memory (just to be safe)
bcdedit /deletevalue {default} removememoryJust to be safe, we will also delete the setting that excludes physical memory. (Normally, this is not set in msconfig, but we will run it in case it has been changed by another tool.) *If you get an error such as "Element not found," it means that it was not set, soYou can ignore it.
③ Exit and restart
exit
The command prompt will close, so select "Continue" and check if Windows 11 starts up normally.
About "truncatememory" and "removememory":
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| truncatememory (msconfig "Maximum memory") | meaning:"MemoryUpper limitThat's it for now." behavior:Ignores all memory after the specified address. Example:"I have 8GB but I only use the first 4GB" |
| removememory | meaning:"MemoryTotal amountReduce this much from behavior:Disables the specified number of MB from memory recognized by the OS. Example:"I have 8GB, but I'll subtract 2GB from that (anywhere) and it will run as 6GB." |
postscript:[Advanced] If you still get an error (specifying the correct identifier)
{current} However, if you get the message "The identifier is not valid," you will need to manually find the correct identifier (ID).
1. In the command prompt bcdedit Just type and press Enter.
If an error occurs here:
If you get the message "Could not open the boot configuration data store. The requested system device cannot be found," the boot mode of the USB is incorrect. Additional note: If that doesn't work (for those booting from USB) Please proceed to.
2. A list of characters will be displayed."Windows Boot Loader" Please look for the item:
3. Inside it,identifierCheck the string on the right side of the item that says "
- In the image below
{default}However, for example:{9dea862c-5cdd-4e70-acc1-f32b344d4795}It may be a long alphanumeric string like this:
4. Enter the command using the string you just verified (including the brackets).
Example command: (* {xxxxxxxx-...} Please enter the alphanumeric characters you actually saw on the screen.)
bcdedit /deletevalue {xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx} truncatememoryThis part isEven a single character (brackets { } If it is incorrect, an error will occur.So please try to enter it correctly.
[Tip] How to easily copy and paste long alphanumeric characters (ID):
You can still copy the information even on this black screen by following the steps below. This is also recommended to prevent input errors.
bcdeditEnter to display the list.- The ID you want to copy (
{ }Drag the area containing the ) with the mouse to highlight it in white. - In that state Enter key Press to copy.
- Where you enter the command right click This will paste the copied text.
Additional note: If that doesn't work (for those booting from USB)
if bcdedit If you get the following error when you enter:USB memory boot modeis incorrect.
Error message: "The boot configuration data store could not be opened. The requested system device cannot be found."
This happens when the computer itself is in the latest mode (UEFI) but the USB memory is booted in the old mode (Legacy). (Note: This mistake is more likely to occur if Secure Boot is disabled.)
Follow the steps below to select the USB memory labeled "UEFI" and boot from it.
- Restart your computer and as soon as the manufacturer's logo appears, press the key (such as F12 or F11) repeatedly to bring up the boot menu.
- On the boot device selection screen, check the USB memory item.
- If there are two items with similar names, like this:Those who always have "UEFI" at the beginningplease choose.
- ❌
USB : SanDisk(Old mode: Selecting this will result in an error) - ⭕
UEFI : USB : SanDisk(New mode:Please choose this）
- ❌
- After booting from "UEFI", a black screen appears again.
bcdeditOnce you enter the command, the list should be displayed correctly.
Summary
- Never touch the "max memory" in msconfig.(There is no speed improvement effect.)
- If you set it up and it doesn't start,Run the bcdedit commandYou can then recover it.
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