Win8.1 clean boot

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How to perform a clean boot in Windows

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A clean boot is performed to start Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program or an update or when you run a program in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. You may also troubleshoot or determine what conflict is causing the problem by performing a clean boot.

Why software conflicts occur?Note If you are using Windows XP, go to How to configure Windows XP to start in a \"clean boot\" state (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353) .

How to perform a clean boot

Notes••

You must log on to the computer as an administrator to be able to perform a clean boot.

Your computer may temporarily lose some functionality when you perform a clean boot. When you start the computer normally, the functionality returns. However, you may receive the original error message, or experience the original behavior if the problem still exists.

If the computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from following these steps. We strongly recommend that you do not use the System Configuration utility to change the advanced boot options on the computer unless a Microsoft support engineer directs you to do this. Doing this may make the computer unusable.

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Follow the following steps to perform a clean boot:

Windows 8.1 and Windows 8

1.Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click Search.

2.Type msconfig in the search box, and then tap or click msconfig.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/92913523/11/2014

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3.On the Services tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then tap or click Disable all.

4.On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click Open Task Manager.

5.On the Startup tab in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then click Disable.

6.Close Task Manager.

7.On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click OK, and then restart the computer.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/92913523/11/2014

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What is next when I have a clean boot environment?

After the computer is restarted, you will have a clean boot environment. Then, do one of the following, as appropriate for your situation:•

If you could not install or uninstall a program or an update before you performed the clean boot, try to install or uninstall the program or update again.

Note If you receive the \"The Windows Installer service could not be accessed\" error during the installation or uninstallation, follow How to start the Windows Installer service when system services are not loaded, and then install or uninstall the program or update again.••

If the installation or uninstallation is successful, you have resolved your issue. Follow How to reset the computer to start as usual to reset your computer to the normal startup.If the installation or uninstallation still fails, that means this issue is not caused by application or service interference. You may have to go to Microsoft Support

(http://support.microsoft.com/) for more specific support.

•If you could not run a program before you performed the clean boot, try to run the program again.•

If the program runs correctly, this issue is caused by application or service interferences. Follow How to determine what is causing the issue by performing a clean boot to determine which application or service causes the issue.

If the program still does not run as expected, this issue is not caused by application or service interference. You may have to go to Microsoft Support (http://support.microsoft.com/) for more specific support.

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How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting

After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start normally.

Windows 8.1 and Windows 8

1.

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click Search.

2.Type msconfig in the search box, and then tap or click msconfig.

3.On the General tab, tap or click the Normal Startup option.

4.Tap or click the Services tab, clear the check box beside Hide all Microsoft services, and then tap or click Enable all.

5.ap or click the Startup tab, and then tap or click Open Task Manager.

6.In task manager, enable all of your startup programs, and then tap or click OK.

7.When you are prompted to restart the computer, tap or click Restart.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

1.

Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press Enter.

Note If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, you should type the password or click Continue.

2.On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.

3.When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

For more information

How to determine what is causing the problem by performing a clean boot

Windows 8.1 and Windows 8

1.Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.

2.Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click Search.

3.Type msconfig in the search box, and then tap or click msconfig.

4.Tap or click the Services tab, and then tap or click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box.

5.Tap or click to select the upper half of the check boxes in the Service list.

6.Tap or click OK, and then tap or click Restart.

7.After the computer finishes restarting, determine whether the problem still occurs.••

If the problem still occurs, repeat steps 1 through 6, but clear the lower half of the check boxes in the Service list that you originally selected.

If the problem does not occur, repeat steps 1 through 6, and select only the upper half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Service list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

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If you still experience the problem when only one service is selected in the Service list, this means that the selected service causes the problem, and you should go to step 11. If no service causes the problem, go to step 8.

8.Repeat steps 1 and 3 in this section.

9.Tap or click the Startup tab, and then tap or click to select the upper half of the check boxes in the Startup Item list.

10.Click OK, and then click Restart. ••

If the problem still occurs, repeat steps 8 and 9, but clear the lower half of the checked boxes in the Startup Item list that you originally selected.

If the problem does not occur, repeat steps 8 and 9, and select only the upper half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Startup Item list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If you still experience the problem after only one Startup Item is selected in the Startup Item list, this means that the selected Startup Item causes the problem, and you should go to step 11. If no Startup Item causes this problem, a Microsoft service probably causes the problem. To determine which Microsoft service may be causing the problem, repeat steps 1 through 7 without selecting the Hide all Microsoft services check box in each step.

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11.

After you determine the startup item or the service that causes the problem, contact the program manufacturer to determine whether the problem can be resolved. Or, run the System Configuration utility, and then tap or click to clear the check box for the problem item.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

How to start the Windows Installer service when system services are not loaded

Video: How to do a clean boot in Windows

About this article

Article ID: 929135

Last review: December 13, 2013

Applies to: Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Enterprise, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8, Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Starter, Windows Vista Business -bit Edition, Windows Vista Enterprise -bit Edition

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