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How to perform clean boot in Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista?

Clean boot - Definition

Clean boot is one of the troubleshooting techniques that helps in identifying the application or service that is causing an issue. It is usually performed when Non-Microsoft products cause software conflicts. Clean boot helps in easy start up of an Operating system by only loading essential files and programs. Hence, during a clean boot only the Microsoft services are made to run. Below you can find the steps required to perform clean boot in Windows.

Steps to perform Clean boot

The following steps may help you perform clean boot in Windows 8 and 10

  1. Press thei "Windows + R" key to open a Run box.
  2. Type msconfig and click OK.
  3. On the General tab, click Selective startup.
  4. Clear the Load startup items check box.
  5. Click the Services tab.
  6. Select the Hide all Microsoft services check box (at the bottom).
  7. Click Disable all.
  8. Click the Startup tab.
  9. Click Open Task Manager.
  10. On the Startup tab, right-click each enabled startup item and select Disable.
  11. Click OK.
  12. Click Restart.

After completing your troubleshooting, restore your system by doing the following:

  1. Press the "Windows + R" key to open a Run box.
  2. Type msconfig and click OK.
  3. On the General tab, select Normal startup.
  4. Click the Services tab.
  5. Clear the Hide all Microsoft services check box.
  6. Click Enable all.
  7. Click the Startup tab.
  8. Click Open Task Manager and enable all of your startup programs.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Click Restart.

Note: Ensure you "Enable all" Microsoft services when you are done troubleshooting, and re-enable all programs in the Startup tab, or you may lose certain OS functions (ex. internet connection) and some applications may not get loaded during startup..

The following steps may help you in performing Clean boot in Windows 7 and Vista

  1. Click Start and type msconfig in the search box.
  2. Press Enter.
  3. On the General tab, click Selective startup.
  4. Clear the Load startup items check box.
  5. Click the Services tab.
  6. Select the Hide all Microsoft services check box (at the bottom).
  7. Click Disable all.
  8. Click OK.
  9. Click Restart.

Note:After completing your troubleshooting, restore your system by doing the following:

  1. Click Start and type msconfig in the search box.
  2. Press Enter.
  3. On the General tab, select Normal startup.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click Yes when asked to restart your computer.