How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 and 11

Summary: Learn how to do a clean boot in Windows 10 or 11 using MSConfig. This method helps identify software conflicts by starting your computer with only essential services and drivers.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Note: Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. See our Microsoft Windows 10 End of Support Announcement for more information.

Clean Boot with MSConfig

Duration: 00:55
Closed captions: English only


What is a Windows Clean Boot?

Troubleshooting Windows 10 and Windows 11 can be a complex process due to the many different drivers, settings, and programs interacting simultaneously. This varied environment may lead to software conflicts that manifest in several ways, oftentimes as Windows struggling to start up properly or updates failing to install. Performing a clean boot can help with locating the conflict by booting only Windows applications and drivers.

How to Perform a Clean Boot:

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Click Search
  3. Type 'msconfig' and press Enter.
  4. Click Services.
  5. Click the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
  6. Click Disable all.
  7. Click Startup.
  8. Click Open Task Manager.
  9. Click any startup program that you suspect might be interfering.
  10. Click Disable.
    Repeat steps 9 and 10 for all Startup programs.
  11. Click the X to close Task Manager.
  12. Click OK in the System Configuration window.
  13. Restart the system.

How to Restart Normally:

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Click Search.
  3. Type 'msconfig' and press Enter.
  4. Click Services.
  5. Click the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
  6. Click Enable all.
  7. Click the checkbox for the conflicting startup service to clear it.
  8. Click Startup.
  9. Click Open Task Manager.
  10. Click a startup program.
  11. Click Enable.
    Repeat steps 10-11 for all startup programs.
  12. Click the X to close Task Manager.
  13. Click OK in the System Configuration window.
  14. Click Restart.

The following video also describes the details to perform a clean boot in Windows 10, it is the same method for Windows 11:

How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

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Affected Products

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Article Properties
Article Number: 000102564
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 17 Jul 2025
Version:  13
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