How to Perform Clean Boot?

What is Clean Boot?

It is one of the troubleshooting techniques that helps in identifying the application or service that is causing an issue. Clean boot is done usually when non-Microsoft products cause problems. It also helps in easy start up of an operating system by only loading essential files and programs. Thus, during a clean boot only the Microsoft services are made to run.

Steps in performing Clean Boot

1. Press the “Windows + R” key to open a Run box.
2. Type msconfig and click OK.
3. On the General tab, click Selective startup.
4. Clear the Load startup items check box.
5. Click the Services tab.
6. Select the Hide all Microsoft services check box (at the bottom).
7. Click Disable all.
8. Click the Startup tab.
9. Click Open Task Manager.
10. On the Startup tab, right-click each enabled startup item and select Disable.
11. Click OK.
12. Click Restart.

After completing the steps, restore your system by doing the following:

1. Press the “Windows + R” key to open a Run box.
2. Type msconfig and click OK.
3. On the General tab, select Normal startup.
4. Click the Services tab.
5. Clear the Hide all Microsoft services check box.
6. Click Enable all.
7. Click the Startup tab.
8. Click Open Task Manager and enable all of your startup programs.
9. Click OK.
10. Click Restart.

Take note: Ensure that you’ll “Enable all” Microsoft services when you are done troubleshooting, and re-enable all programs in the Startup tab, or you may lose certain OS functions (ex. internet connection) and some applications may not get loaded during startup.

Sources:
https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/how-to/perform-clean-boot-in-windows.html
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd