Backing Up the Boot.ini File
Important
This topic describes the boot options supported in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. If you are changing boot options for modern versions of Windows, see [Boot Options in Windows(boot-options-in-windows.md).
When you install or upgrade to Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 or one their predecessors, the Windows installer creates a new Boot.ini file for the computer. The new file retains some, but not all, of the changes you might have made to the file. Thus, to preserve an edited Boot.ini file, make a backup copy before upgrading or installing an operating system. After an update completes, you can replace the new file with your backup copy. If you have installed a new operating system, you can copy customized entries from your backup copy and then paste them into the new Boot.ini file.
An update or installation restores the default security attributes on Boot.ini, including the read-only attribute. To edit the file, use the Bootcfg command or change the file attributes. For more information, see Editing the Boot.ini File.