Troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or Windows 7

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

To help troubleshoot error messages and other issues, you can start Windows Vista or Windows 7 by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a "clean boot." A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts. This article describes how to troubleshoot problems in Windows Vista or in Windows 7 by performing a clean boot. This article also describes how to start the Windows Installer service and how to reset the computer so that it starts as usual.

Note When you perform a clean boot, you may temporarily lose some functionality. When you start the computer as usual, the functionality returns. However, you may receive the original error message, or you may experience the original behavior.

Note: This information is not intended to troubleshoot specific problems. Therefore, before you follow these steps, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for information about your problem. Use the text of the error message or a description of the problem when you search. To search the Knowledge Base, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
Microsoft Support

Step 1: Perform a clean boot
Note 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 modify the advanced boot options on the computer unless a Microsoft support engineer directs you to do this. Doing this may make the computer unusable.

   Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.
   Click Start

, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to start the System Configuration utility.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.

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

On the Services tab, click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then click Disable all.

   Note Following 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.
   Click OK, and then click Restart.

Step 2: Enable half of the services

   Follow steps 1a and 1b to start the System Configuration utility.
   Click the Services tab, and then click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box.
   Click to select half of the check boxes in the Service list.
   Click OK, and then click Restart.

Step 3: Determine whether the problem returns
If the problem still occurs, repeat step 1 and step 2. In step 2, click to clear half of the check boxes that you originally selected in the Service list.

If the problem does not occur, repeat step 1 and step 2. In step 2, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Service list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If only one service is selected in the Service list, and you still experience the problem, the selected service causes the problem. Go to step 6. If no service causes this problem, go to step 4.

Step 4: Enable half of the Startup items

   Perform a clean boot by repeating step 1.
   Click the Startup tab, and then click to select half of the check boxes in the Startup Item list.
   Click OK, and then click Restart.

Step 5: Determine whether the problem returns
If the problem still occurs, repeat step 1 and step 4. In step 4, click to clear half of the check boxes that you originally selected in the Startup Item list.

If the problem does not occur, repeat step 1 and step 4. In step 4, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Startup Item list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If only one startup item is selected in the Startup Item list, and you still experience the problem, the startup item that is selected in the list is the service that is causing the problem. Go to step 6.

If no startup item causes this problem, a Microsoft service most likely causes the problem. To determine which Microsoft service may be causing the problem, repeat step 1 and step 2 without selecting the Hide all Microsoft services check box in either step.

Step 6: Resolve the problem
After you determine the startup item or the service that causes the problem, contact the program manufacturer to determine whether the problem can be resolved. Or, run the System Configuration utility, and then click to clear the check box for the problem item.

Step 7: Reset the computer to start as usual
After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:

   Click Start

, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
   On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.
   When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

The Windows Installer service does not start if you clear the Load system services 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. To do this, follow these steps:

   Click Start

, right-click Computer, and then click Manage.

   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
   In the console tree, click Services and Applications, and then click Services.
   In the details pane, right-click Windows Installer, and then click Start.

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