How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows and Why It Matters

What Is Clean Boot on a Windows PC

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.

How to Perform a Clean Boot on Windows 11

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.

What Windows PC Issues Can a Clean Boot Fix?

Now that you’re well aware of what a clean boot does, let’s check when you should use it: 

• Slow Startup: If your Windows device takes forever to boot, a clean boot can help determine if a startup program is slowing down.
• General Sluggishness: A clean boot can help identify the culprit as a background program or service when your device is sluggish or unresponsive.
• High CPU or Memory Usage: This method can help you identify the app or process causing the drain if you’re seeing consistently high CPU or memory usage.
• Program Crashes: When the programs on your Windows device keep crashing, a clean boot is a good option to see if they conflict with another program or service.
• System Errors: If you see frequent system errors, this technique can help pinpoint the cause.
• Blue Screens of Death (BSOD): Using a clean boot can help identify the driver or software causing the crash and returning BSOD.
• Installing a New Program: If you plan to install a new program that might conflict with existing software, running a clean boot beforehand can help avoid problems.
• Updating Drivers: Before updating your drivers, especially graphics drivers, this technique can help ensure a smooth installation process and prevent potential conflicts.

Also Read: How to fix Blue Screen of Death when PC is idle on Windows 11.

FAQs

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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