The all new graphical boot menu is one of the new features of Windows 8. Unlike boot menus in previous Windows versions, Windows 8 boot menu can be navigated with mouse, keyboard, and touch. The new boot menu lets you access a range of tools and options right from the boot menu, including Reset PC and Refresh PC features.
Users who have installed Windows 8 in dual boot with Windows 7 probably have noticed that the old black and white boot menu replaces the graphical boot menu just after completing Windows 7 installation. The graphical boot menu may also disappear for no particular reason.
Users who would like to get back the graphical boot menu may follow the given below instructions.
WARNING: Executing a wrong command may stop your PC from booting properly. Make sure you follow the instructions properly. We recommend you create a system restore point or Windows 8 recovery drive before proceeding further.
Step 1: If you are running Windows 8 in dual boot with Windows 7, you first need to set Windows 8 as default OS. To do this, boot into Windows 8, type msconfig and then press enter to open System Configuration utility. And if you aren’t in dual boot, you can safely skip to step 3.
Step 2: Switch to Boot tab, select Windows 8 entry, click Set as default and then click Apply button. Close System Configuration utility and don’t restart.
Step 3: Open Command Prompt with admin rights. To do this, switch to Start screen, type CMD and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys to launch elevated prompt. You can see our how to open Command Prompt with admin rights in Windows 8 guide for additional information.
Step 4: Next, you need to execute the following command:
bcdedit /set {current} bootmenupolicy standard
Step 5: Exit the Command Prompt and reboot your PC to see the graphical boot menu.
WARNING: This is for power users only. Create a complete PC backup before following the steps. IntoWindows isn’t responsible for any data loss and system damage. Try this method only if the above method isn’t working for you.
Step 1: First things first. Before we start the procedure, you need to create a Windows 8 recovery drive. Follow our how to create Windows 8 recovery drive guide to create one. Note that 32-bit recovery drive doesn’t work in 64-bit Windows and vice versa.
Once you have the recovery drive, restart your PC, open BIOS settings and make sure that your PC supports booting from USB.
Step 2: Boot into Windows 7, open Run dialog (press Windows + R), type msconfig and then press Enter key to open System Configuration utility.
Step 3: Switch to Boot tab, select Windows 7 entry, click Set as default (if it isn’t already your default OS). Click Apply.
Next, select Windows 8 entry, click Delete button to delete the Windows 8 entry from boot manager and then click Apply. Don’t restart.
Step 4: Connect your previously created Windows 8 recovery drive and restart your PC. Make necessary changes in the BIOS to boot from USB and then boot using the recovery drive.
Step 5: Select your keyboard layout, click Troubleshoot, click Advanced options, and finally click Command Prompt to open the same.
Step 6: In the Command Prompt, type bootrec /rebuildbcd and press enter key. Wait for a while to see the below message. Type All and press enter key when you see “Add installation to boot list? Yes
Close the Command Prompt, click Turn Off your PC option.
Step 7: Remove the Windows 8 recovery drive , turn on your PC and boot into Windows 7 (it will automatically boot into Windows 7). Press Windows + R hotkey to open Run dialog, type msconfig and then press Enter key.
Step 8: Switch to Boot tab, select Windows 8 entry and then click Set as default. Click Apply button and restart your PC. That’s it! You should now see the Windows 8 graphical boot menu. Good luck!
