Knowledge Base

How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state

Article ID: 310353

Article Last Modified on 12/19/2007

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64-Bit Edition (Itanium)

This article was previously published under Q310353

SUMMARY

This article describes how to configure Microsoft Windows XP to start by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a "clean boot." This article also describes how to return Windows XP to a Normal startup type.

After you configure Windows XP to use a clean boot, some programs may not work as expected. When you return Windows XP to a Normal startup type, the programs work again.

This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.

You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

Methods to configure Windows XP to start by using a clean boot

Before you start

You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to configure Windows XP to start by using a clean boot.

For more information about how to log on to Windows, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

321305 How to log on to Windows XP if you forget your password or your password expires

ACW

Guided Help to clean boot or restore your computer from a clean boot state

Guided Help is available to clean boot your computer or to restore your computer from a clean boot state. Guided Help can guide you through the steps or Guided Help can automatically perform the steps for you.

The actions that this Guided Help performs can be undone after Guided Help is finished. To undo the actions that this Guided Help performs, run Guided Help again. When you are prompted by Guided Help, click the Normal startup option or the Clean boot option.

For more information about Guided Help, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

915092 Description of Guided Help for Microsoft Knowledge Base articles

Requirements to install and to use this Guided Help

You must be logged on to Windows by using a computer administrator account to install and to use this Guided Help.
You must be running Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center Edition, or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition to install and to use this Guided Help.

You must first download Guided Help. To start, click the following link. Download Guided Help

Advanced troubleshooting

This section is intended for advanced computer users. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to ask someone for help or contact support. For information about how to contact Microsoft support, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/

To troubleshoot this issue, use the appropriate method.

Manual steps to perform a clean boot in Windows XP

Step 1: Start the System Configuration Utility

Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.

The System Configuration Utility dialog box appears.

Step 2: Configure selective startup options

In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click the General tab, and then click Selective Startup.
Click to clear the Process SYSTEM.INI File check box.
Click to clear the Process WIN.INI File check box.
Click to clear the Load Startup Items check box.
Click the Services tab.
Click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box.
Click Disable All, and then click OK..
When you are prompted, click Restart to restart the computer.

Step 3: Log on to Windows

Log on to Windows.
When you receive the following message, click to select the Don't show this message or launch the System Configuration Utility when Windows start check box, and then click OK:

You have used the System Configuration Utility to make changes to the way Windows starts.

The System Configuration Utility is currently in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode, causing this message to be displayed and the utility to run every time Windows starts.

Choose the Normal Startup mode on the General tab to start Windows normally and undo the changes you made using the System Configuration Utility.

Step 4: Optional step to disable features

This step temporarily disables Microsoft features such as Plug and Play, networking, event logging, and error reporting. Also, this step permanently removes the restore points from the computer. The System Restore feature uses restore points to restore your computer to an earlier state. If you remove the restore points, you can no longer restore Windows to an earlier state.

Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.

The System Configuration Utility dialog box appears.

Click the General tab, click to clear the Load System Services check box, and then click OK.
When you are prompted, click Restart to restart the computer.

Steps to configure Windows to use a Normal startup state

Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.