Using Clean Boot to Troubleshoot Windows 7 & Vista

This guide explains the Clean Boot method for booting (starting) Windows. Clean boot is a alternate startup method which using minimal set of drivers & services to boot into Windows. This type of boot is available with Windows 7 & Windows Vista. Clean Boot is a troubleshooting process that is used to narrow the cause of a particular problem with your Windows PC. A clean boot will not load any third party programs or simply saying any program installed by the user that or anything that is not necessary for the system to start.

A clean boot also helps you restore your computer to full functionality by helping in the troubleshooting process. Follow the steps below to do a clean boot and repair Windows.

Clean Boot

  • Go to start menu
  • Within the start menu search box type msconfig
  • On the General Tab, Click on Selective Startup
  • Uncheck the box that says “Load Startup Items”
  • Now,
  • Go to Services Tab
  • Check Hide all Microsoft Services
  • Then, Click on Disable All
  • Click OK
  • Click Restart
  • Now, If the problem is resolved, you have to narrow down the problem to a specific service or program
  • If the culprit is a service, Follow the steps above to reach services tab
  • Hide all Microsoft services
  • Click / Check the boxes for one service at a time
  • Click OK
  • Click Restart
  • Repeat this step for all non-Microsoft services therein

 

Disabling Clean Boot & boot normally into Windows

  • Go to Msconfig ( follow the steps above )
  • Within General tab, Click Normal Startup
  • Click OK
  • Click Restart