How to fix file: \windows\system32\winload.efi status: 0xc000025, in Windows Server 2016 it occurs after the failed attempt of updating the OS patches KB5065427, KB5065687. Now unable to proceed for the recovery option from the windows bootable media

To fix the error status 0xc000025 related to the file ootootstat.dat, you can follow these steps:

1. Boot from Windows Installation Media: Insert your Windows Server 2016 installation media (USB or DVD) and boot from it.
2. Access Repair Options: Select your language preferences and click on "Next." Then, choose "Repair your computer" at the bottom left.
3. Troubleshoot: Click on "Troubleshoot," then select "Advanced options."
4. Command Prompt: Choose "Command Prompt" from the Advanced options.
5. Rebuild BCD: In the Command Prompt, execute the following commands:

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

   This will attempt to fix the Master Boot Record (MBR) and rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD).
6. Check Disk: You can also run a disk check to ensure there are no file system errors:

      chkdsk C: /f /r
   

   Replace C: with the appropriate drive letter if necessary.
7. Restart: After executing these commands, restart your server and check if the issue is resolved.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to consider restoring from a backup or reinstalling the operating system if recovery options are not available.

References:

• Winload.exe error code 0xc000000e on an Azure VM
• Troubleshoot Windows Boot Manager error - 0xC0000225 "Status not found"

Hi Khayam Asghar,

  With symptoms such as the system being unable to enter Recovery, no repair options showing from the bootable media, and the disk not appearing in Command Prompt, it is highly likely that WinRE is not loading the correct storage controller driver, or the EFI/BCD configuration was damaged during the update rollback.

  First, please boot into WinRE using the bootable media and manually load the appropriate RAID / HBA / Storage Controller driver (via “Load Driver”); if the driver is not loaded, the disk will remain invisible. Once the disk appears, you can try Startup Repair, or manually run commands such as bootrec /fixboot, bootrec /scanos, bootrec /rebuildbcd, and finally bcdboot C:\Windows /l en-us /s <EFI partition> /f UEFI.

  If the disk still does not appear, please check the UEFI/BIOS settings to ensure the boot mode (UEFI), Secure Boot, and SATA/RAID configuration were not changed during the update or rollback process. In scenarios where the EFI partition or disk metadata is corrupted, you may need to attach the disk to another server to run chkdsk and verify the integrity of the partitions. If the EFI partition is damaged, recreating it and rebuilding the boot files using bcdboot typically resolves the issue.

  Please "accept the answer" so that it could be spread further to those in need too. If not, is there anything I can help you with? Please let me know.