How To Perform Clean Boot In Windows 7?

 

What Is Clean Boot?

Clean Boot can be defined as starting of computer by using minimum set of drivers and start up programs. When we start Windows by using a normal start up several applications and processes such as antivirus software, system utility applications etc. start in the background, which create interference with programs and games.

In other words we can say that Clean Booting is a method to eliminate programs from conflicting with the installation of software. When we start the computer in clean boot, the computer starts only those drivers and start up programs which we selected earlier. So Clean Boot can be considered as one of the Trouble Shooting Step in which we eliminate some programs which are causing problem from the start up process.

For performing the operation of Clean Booting we use System Configuration Tool. System Configuration is one of the most commonly used tool which is used to identify and elimination of processes which are preventing Windows from starting correctly.

Perform the following task:

Identify the system service that is causing the problem

• Go to the Services tab, click Disable all.
• Select the check box f present in front of first service present in the list and then restart the computer. If the problem doesn't occur that means it was the causing problem and eliminate it.
• With the first service selected, select the second service check box, and then restart the computer.
• Repeat the entire process until problem reoccurs.
• Eliminate all the processes in this way which were responsible for the problems.

We should check the following requirements first before performing Clean Boot:-

• You must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group.
• Sometimes some services lose functionality temporarily when you perform a clean start up, so when we restore the settings the functionality also get restored. Thus, there is probability of getting original error messages.
• You should know which version of Windows your computer is running.

For performing Clean Boot we have to follow the following actions:

• Go to Start and type the command msconfig in the search box and hit enter.
• Go to General Tab of window and choose Selective Start up.
• Uncheck Load Start up Items
• Check the option saying Hide all Microsoft services
• Click on Disable All option
• Click on OK and then click on Restart.

After performing clean booting follow the given instructions for restoring your system:-

• Go to Start and type msconfig in the search box and hit Enter
• Go to General Tab and choose Normal Startup
• Click on Restart after hitting OK option.

Clean Booting Vs Safe Mode

Safe mode is also one of the most commonly used method of Troubleshooting. Before comparison with Clean Booting method we have to understand Safe Mode first.

Safe Mode is one of the most commonly used TroubleShooting Method for computer operating system. Operating systems like Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X implement safe mode for troubleshooting. Although operating system in safe mode has reduced functionality but it is one of the best methods used for isolating processes responsible for problems.

Now lets differentiate between Safe Mode and Clean Boot. In safe mode operating system starts with minimal set of drivers e.g. only standard VGA driver will install due to which resolution of screen changes. But in Clean Boot operating system starts in normal mode, but many background applications and non-Microsoft processes don't start.

So you have two methods of trouble shooting choose one which suits you better.

Important Note:

When we choose disable option many services like Networking, Event Logging, Plug and Play, Error Reporting etc get disabled. This results into deleting of all restore points. So don’t do Clean Booting if you want to use System Restore Utility.

System Configuration is intended to find and isolate problems, but it isn't meant as a startup management program. To permanently remove or turn off programs or services that run at start up, uninstall a program from Control Panel by Choosing Option 'Programs and Features'.

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