What is a Windows Clean Boot and How to Perform One

Even though you may do everything you can to take care of your computer, there will come a time when you need to turn to troubleshooting techniques. A technique that users turn to is called a Clean Boot.

There are some downsides to performing a Clean Boot, but it might be worth it. After all, it could be the troubleshooting technique that could get your computer out of the problem it’s currently in.

What is a Windows Clean Boot?

A Windows Clean boot is when your computer only uses essential services and files that it needs to boot. This means that its designed, common functionalities might not work. Clean Boot does this so that the system administrator can pinpoint what the problem is.

Once the troubleshooting technique can find the issue, you’ll finally be able to boot your Windows computer normally. That means not having to look at a dull and boring design anymore. A clean boot can come in handy when you’re also having trouble installing an update.

How to Perform a Windows Clean Boot

To perform this technique, you will need to sign in as an administrator. If you already have that type of access, right-click on the Windows start button and select search.

In the search option, type msconfig and click on the System Configuration option. When the new window appears, click on the Services tab. At the bottom left-hand corner, you’ll see the option Hide all Microsoft services, click on it followed by the Disable all button. Don’t click OK just yet,

Now, click on the Startup tab and choose the Open Task Manager option. It will be the only option in the box, and it’s blue. You should now be looking at the Task Manager with all the programs that will boot when you turn on your computer. Click on the program that you think is giving you all those issues and click on the Disable button at the bottom right.

You will need to repeat these steps for all the programs you think are causing your problems. Once you’ve disabled all the programs, click on the X to close the Task Manager window and click OK on the System configuration window.

Reboot your computer, and when it starts up again, only the essential programs will be running. Try to run the program or install the update you think is responsible. If you are still having problems even though you launched the program in Clean Boot, that means that it’s not a software problem.

If you see that in Clean Boot everything is running smoothly, then that confirms that you are dealing with a software issue. Go back to the Services window and uncheck the Hide all Microsoft services option. When the option re-appears, uncheck only the top half of the Microsoft options. Restart your computer and see if the problem continues.

If it does, now uncheck the bottom half of the Microsoft services. If the problem were to go away, then you know that the problem lies in the bottom half of the Microsoft services.

How to Get Your Computer Back to Normal

Since you’re not going to be in Clean Boot forever, it’s time to get you out of it. Right-click on the Windows Start menu and then click on the Search option. Once again type msconfig and press Enter. Go to the Services tab and click on the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox and choose the Enable all feature.

Check the box for the program that is giving you problems and then click the Startup tab. Click on Open Task Manager and click on a startup program (repeat this process for every startup program).

Close the Task Manager and then click OKto close the System Configuration window. Click on the Restart button, and you’re good to go.

Conclusion

Some solutions are easier then others, but if you want the problem to go away, you have no choice but to do it. Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with this issue ever again or at least for quite some time.