5/3/2017 HowtoperformacleanbootinWindows

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How to perform a clean boot in Windows

Summary

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 10, 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?

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.

Use the following steps to perform a clean boot:

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Windows 10
Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
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Windows 8.1 and Windows 8

Windows 7 and Windows Vista
1. Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.

2. Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press Enter to start
the System Configuration utility.
Note If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, you
should type the password or provide confirmation.

3. On the General tab, click the Selective startup option, and then click to clear the
Load startup items check box. The Use Original Boot.ini check box is
unavailable.

4. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide all Microsoft

TRY THEservices
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PREVIEW
then click Disable all.

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Note This step lets Microsoft services continue to run. These services include
Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, and other services. If
you disable these services, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not
do this if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore
points.

5. Click OK, and then click Restart.

Video: How to do a clean boot in Windows

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 TRY to Microsoft Support
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more specific support.

If you could not run a program before you performed

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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 for
more specific support.

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.

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Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

More Information

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

boot

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Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

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

If you run a Setup program without starting the Windows Installer service, you may receive
the following error message:

The Windows Installer service could not be accessed. Contact your support personnel to
verify that the windows Installer service is properly registered.
TRY THE
The Windows Installer service does not start if you clear the Load VIRTUAL
system AGENT
services PREVIEW
check box
in the System Configuration utility. To use the Windows Installer service when system services
are not loaded, you must start the service manually.
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are not loaded, you must start the service manually. To do this, follow these steps.
Show all

Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

Properties

Article ID: 929135 Last Review: Mar 2, 2017 Revision: 12

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 64bit Edition, Windows Vista Enterprise 64bit
Edition, Windows 10

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