Manage multiboot menus

By Ed Bott

When you install a second copy of Windows alongside your current one, Windows creates a boot menu that lets you choose which operating system to run at startup. That boot menu's much more useful if you replace the generic entries with a custom name that clearly describes the installation it represents. There's no question what you're going to get if you choose Windows 10 (Clean) at startup.

Unfortunately, there's no built-in graphical tool to rename entries on a multiboot entry. Instead, you have to open a Command Prompt window and use the Bcdedit command. You can see a full list of switches for this command by typing bcdedit /? But this one's worth memorizing.

To rename the boot-menu entry for the currently running operating system, open a Command Prompt window with administrative rights and use this command:

Bcdedit /set description "Menu text here"

Replace the generic description inside the quotes with a menu entry of your choosing and press Enter. To change descriptions for other items on the boot menu, you can use the long identifier field as a switch. It's easier, though, to just restart using the other OS and then run the Bcdedit command again.

Disturbing trends revealed by the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report

Microsoft reports a 300% increase in the number of malicious attacks on its cloud services. Enterprises should prepare for constant threats.

Migrate successfully from Windows 7 to Windows 10: Ten tips

Microsoft revamps Premier Support, focuses on cloud services and lower-cost options

New Raspberry Pi thin client runs full Windows 10 and other desktops

How to return the last value in an Excel data range

Skype adds real-time code editor to test candidates' tech skills in video interviews

Microsoft and Amazon agree to enable Cortana, Alexa communication

Does Microsoft's brass still believe it has a chance in the phone market?

Windows Mixed Reality: Now Dell's $350 Visor arrives at Microsoft's VR party

Quiz: What year is this tech from?

Video: Advice for aspiring creators: "Be open to new technology"

CBS This Morning and New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly explains how creative professionals can use technology to advance their career.

Software as a Service has given way to Everything as a Service: platforms, infrastructure, and more. While vendors are touting cloud-first strategy, what's the reality? This Tech Pro Research survey aims to find out how organizations are integrating XaaS, and what components are integral to cloud services strategies. Take this short survey.

The Art of the Hybrid Cloud

Cloud computing is gobbling up more of the services that power businesses. But, some have privacy, security, and regulatory demands that preclude the public cloud. Here's how to find the right mix.