A clean boot in Windows is a troubleshooting technique that helps you identify software conflicts causing issues with your computer. Moreover, it lets you start your Windows device with the essential system services and drivers loaded.
It temporarily disables all non-essential programs and startup items to achieve that state. This creates a bare-bones environment, isolating the potential culprit behind your problem.
Follow the simple instructions below to perform a clean boot on your Windows device:
Step 1: Press Windows S on your keyboard, type System Configuration, and hit Enter. In the pop-up window, select Yes.
Step 2: Head to the Services tab, check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services, and click the Disable all button.
Step 3: Navigate to the Startup tab and click the Open Task Manager option.
Step 4: Under the Status section, check all the enabled applications. Now, right-click on them and choose Disable.
Note: Make sure each of those apps is disabled.
Step 5: Close the Task Manager once done.
Step 6: Return to the System Configuration window and click Apply and OK.
Step 7: Finally, restart your Windows device.
Disabling services and startup apps can affect specific software or hardware functionality. If you encounter issues after disabling items, you may need to re-enable them selectively. When in a clean environment, check if the problem persists.
If your device works well in a minimal environment, go ahead and enable all the apps one by one; this will help you find the app causing this issue. Here’s how to do so:
Step 1: Launch the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl Shift Esc on your keyboard. Choose Yes when prompted.
Step 2: Head to the Startup apps, right-click on each app, and select Enable.
Step 3: Restart your device each time you enable an app and check if the issue arises.
Step 4: Repeating this process will help you find the culprit behind the troubles on your device.
Now that you’re well aware of what a clean boot does, let’s check when you should use it:
Also Read: How to fix Blue Screen of Death when PC is idle on Windows 11.
1. Are clean boot and Windows recovery the same?
No, a clean boot and Windows recovery are not the same. Windows recovery returns the operating system to a prior state. In contrast, a clean boot is a troubleshooting technique in Windows that boots the system with a minimal set of drivers.
2. Does a clean boot erase everything?
No, a clean boot does not completely erase your computer’s contents. It focuses on disabling non-essential startup programs and services to identify and troubleshoot potential software conflicts.
3. Is a clean boot safe?
Yes, a clean boot is safe. It is a diagnostic procedure recommended by Microsoft to troubleshoot and identify issues with third-party software or drivers causing problems on your system.
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