If you’re like most Windows 10 users, you’re probably familiar with the occasional issue that can arise from a computer, such as a program not responding or a system freeze. One way to get your computer back on track is to do a clean boot of Windows 10. Doing a clean boot can help you to identify any software conflicts that are causing problems on your PC. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to do a clean boot on Windows 10 so you can fix any issues and get back to work.

How to Do a Clean Boot on Windows 10?

What is Clean Boot?

A clean boot is a process that starts Windows with 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.

A clean boot helps you troubleshoot issues by isolating software conflicts. This process can help you determine which program, service, or startup item is causing the issue.

Steps to Clean Boot

The steps to perform a clean boot in Windows 10 are as follows:

Step 1: Open System Configuration

The System Configuration utility (msconfig.exe) is used to configure how the operating system starts. To open the System Configuration utility, type msconfig in the search box in the Start menu and hit Enter.

Step 2: Select Selective Startup

In the System Configuration window, go to the General tab and select Selective Startup. Make sure that the check boxes for the following items are unchecked:

-Load Startup Items
-Load System Services
-Load System System Services

Step 3: Disable All Non-Microsoft Services

Go to the Services tab and check the box next to Hide All Microsoft Services. This will hide all Microsoft services and display only non-Microsoft services.

Step 4: Disable All Non-Microsoft Services

In the list of services, disable all non-Microsoft services by unchecking the box next to each service.

Step 5: Reboot the System

Finally, click Apply, then click OK. When prompted to restart the system, click Restart. The system will restart in a clean boot state.

Advantages of Clean Boot

A clean boot can help you troubleshoot and identify issues related to startup programs, services, and drivers. It can also help you identify conflicts between different programs or services.

Less Interference from Programs and Services

By disabling non-essential programs and services, a clean boot can reduce the amount of interference from programs and services that may be causing the issue. This makes it easier to identify the cause of the issue.

Identification of Problematic Services and Drivers

By disabling non-essential services and drivers, a clean boot can help you identify which service or driver is causing the issue. This can help you narrow down the cause of the issue and determine which program or service is causing the problem.

Disadvantages of Clean Boot

A clean boot can be inconvenient and time-consuming. Additionally, it can cause some programs and services to no longer function correctly.

Time-Consuming Process

The process of setting up a clean boot can be time-consuming and tedious. Additionally, the process must be repeated each time the system is restarted.

Incompatibility with Programs and Services

A clean boot may cause some programs and services to no longer function correctly. This can be an issue if the program or service is essential for the system to function properly.

Related FAQ

What is a clean boot Windows 10?

A clean boot is a troubleshooting technique used in Microsoft Windows 10 to identify issues that are related to startup processes and services. It helps to diagnose problems that may be caused by settings and preferences, software conflicts, or corrupted system files. When Windows 10 is in a clean boot state, only the essential operating system files and services are loaded, allowing the user to find and fix the problem.

What are the advantages of doing a clean boot Windows 10?

The main advantage of doing a clean boot Windows 10 is that it helps to identify and fix any issues related to startup processes, services, settings, and preferences. It also allows the user to troubleshoot and diagnose any potential software conflicts and corrupted system files. A clean boot can also help to improve computer performance, as it eliminates any unnecessary programs from startup.

What are the steps to do a clean boot Windows 10?

The steps to do a clean boot Windows 10 are as follows:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type “msconfig” and hit Enter to open the System Configuration window.
3. Go to the “Services” tab and check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box.
4. Click “Disable all” to disable all the services.
5. Go to the “Startup” tab and click “Open Task Manager”.
6. Select any startup programs you want to disable and click “Disable”.
7. Close the Task Manager and click “OK”.
8. Restart your computer and Windows 10 will now be in a clean boot state.

What should be kept in mind when doing a clean boot Windows 10?

When doing a clean boot Windows 10, it is important to keep in mind that the process may cause some programs to stop working. It is also important to note that any changes made to the System Configuration window should be reversed after the troubleshooting is finished. It is also recommended to create a system restore point before doing a clean boot, as it can help to restore the computer to a previous working state if any issues occur.

How do I know if a clean boot Windows 10 has been successful?

If a clean boot Windows 10 has been successful, the computer should boot up normally and the issue that was being troubleshooted should be resolved. If the issue persists, then the clean boot was not successful and further troubleshooting may be needed.

How do I undo a clean boot Windows 10?

To undo a clean boot Windows 10, the user should go to the System Configuration window again and go to the “Services” tab. Then, uncheck the “Hide all Microsoft services” box and click “Enable all” to enable all the services. Go to the “Startup” tab, click “Open Task Manager”, and select any startup programs you want to enable and click “Enable”. Close the Task Manager, click “OK” and restart the computer. This will undo the clean boot and revert the computer back to its normal state.

How to do a clean boot in Windows | Microsoft

A clean boot is a great way to troubleshoot and fix any issues you may have with your Windows 10 system. By disabling programs, services, and other non-essential items from starting up, you can help prevent conflicts and errors from occurring. With a few simple steps, you can quickly and easily perform a clean boot and get your system running smoothly.