Boot.ini File

The Boot.Ini file
Where can it be found?
Located at the root of a system, often is C:\Boot.ini
This is only for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003


What does it contain?
Information about both the boot loader and the operating system being used
Image from How To Geek 


As we can see from above: The timeout is the time that it takes to boot Under.

Why it this useful?
May show multiple boot options that are available to the user, including multiple OS systems on different partitions.

Example: Suspect has been found as source of an attack through their IP address. They have used remote software to access a computer, which has given information about their operating system along with the IP address. The information shows that Windows XP has been used, yet the defendant maintains that they have always used Windows 7. A simple search of the Boot.ini file would find that Windows XP is on the system.


May be the case that the file has been deleted and as such will still be available, but harder to find.

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