{"id":6395,"date":"2024-10-18T21:10:38","date_gmt":"2024-10-18T21:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/?p=6395"},"modified":"2025-04-18T06:44:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T06:44:17","slug":"perform-clean-boot-windows-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/perform-clean-boot-windows-10\/","title":{"rendered":"[Step-by-Step Guide] How to Perform a Clean Boot on Windows 10\/11 to Resolve Conflicts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every PC runs into technical issues at least once in a while. But it can be frustrating if you do not know what the problem is. Even though Windows has a troubleshooting program, sometimes it may not fix complex errors. A better alternative is to perform a clean boot. The clean boot restarts your computer with the bare minimum of drivers and software your PC needs to boot so you can find out what the problem is. Let’s take a look at how to do a clean boot. <\/p>\n

What Is a Clean Boot?<\/h2>\n

\nA clean boot allows you to launch your system with the barest minimum Windows needs to run. That is, your computer boots with just the drivers and software that Windows needs to start.<\/p>\n

Performing a clean boot on Windows 11 or 10 will disable all of your non-essential apps temporarily. This means a lot of your apps will be unavailable in the clean boot mode, but then, it gives you a safe environment to find and fix issues with Windows.<\/p>\n

If the clean boot is successful, you can rule out the operating system as the problem. Now you can carefully find the program that may be causing issues so you can fix these errors appropriately.<\/p>\n

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What’s the difference between a clean boot and Safe Mode?<\/div>\r\n\t
<\/p>\n

Safe Mode <\/a> loads only the essential Windows drivers and services, creating a minimal environment primarily used for troubleshooting severe system issues. You can find and fix hardware or software problems that may prevent Windows from starting properly.  <\/p>\n

A clean boot, on the other hand, is designed to help troubleshoot software conflicts in a basic setup environment with only the essential drivers and startup programs running. It’s particularly useful for isolating software conflicts caused by third-party tools since it maintains more system functionality than Safe Mode. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Feature <\/strong><\/th>\nSafe Mode<\/strong><\/th>\nClean boot<\/strong> <\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Purpose<\/strong> <\/td>\nTroubleshoots severe system issues, like faulty drivers or software preventing Windows from starting <\/td>\nTroubleshoots software conflicts, especially those caused by third-party applications <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Graphics<\/strong> <\/td>\nLimited, with basic visuals and minimal graphics drivers loaded <\/td>\nBetter graphics compared to Safe Mode <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best use-case scenario<\/strong><\/td>\nDiagnoses issues like faulty drivers and serious system failures <\/td>\nIsolates software conflicts and third-party application issues while maintaining most of the system’s functionality <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Access to applications<\/strong><\/td>\nRestricted. Many applications won’t work or be accessible <\/td>\nMore applications are accessible compared to Safe Mode <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Functionality<\/strong><\/td>\nLimited functionality; focuses primarily on system-level troubleshooting <\/td>\nMaintains basic Windows functionality, which makes it easier to interact with the system and resolve software issues <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Is It Safe to Perform a Clean Boot on Windows 10\/11?<\/h2>\n

\nPerforming a clean boot on Windows 10 or 11 is safe, provided you do it the right way.<\/p>\n

First, clean boot is a built-in Windows feature for troubleshooting. That goes to tell you how safe it is. Usually, the process will not modify your core system files or damage anything. All the changes you make in the process are temporary and restricted to the environment.<\/p>\n

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Note<\/div>\r\n\t
The moment you reboot your system, your files and applications should be back. However, it is important to know that some of your applications may not behave normally in the clean boot state. This does not imply that your PC is damaged. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Of course, there may be a few concerns, especially if you do the wrong thing. <\/p>\n

For instance, if you disable the wrong service, you might notice some issues. But then, these issues are usually temporary, and rebooting will most likely fix them. <\/p>\n

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<\/div>\r\n\t\t
PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n\t\t
<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t
Even though it is relatively safe, you can’t be too careful when handling system operations like this one. So, we recommend that you back up your Windows PC <\/a> before you start. <\/p>\n

Another alternative might be to create a restore point. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10\/11<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Make sure to sign in as an administrator. Otherwise, you won’t have enough privileges to do a clean boot. <\/li>\n
  • Search Run <\/i>and type msconfig<\/code>.<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \r\n
    \r\n \"Search\r\n <\/div>\r\n
    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n
      \n
    • Press Enter<\/code> to launch System Configuration<\/em>. <\/li>\n
    • Go to the Services<\/i> tab and check the box located next to the Hide all Microsoft services<\/i> option. Click Disable all<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \r\n
      \r\n \"GoServices<\/i> tab and check the box located next to the Hide all Microsoft services<\/i> options and click Disable all<\/i>\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n <\/div>\r\n
      <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n
        \n
      • Proceed to the Startup <\/i> tab, then click  Open Task Manager. <\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \r\n
        \r\n \"ProceedStartup <\/i> tab, then click  Open Task Manager <\/i>\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n <\/div>\r\n
        <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n
          \n
        • Go to the Startup <\/i> tab and disable all the items present by selecting each item and clicking Disable <\/i>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \r\n
          \r\n \"Task\r\n <\/div>\r\n
          <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n
            \n
          • Close Task Manager<\/em>. <\/li>\n
          • Once in the Startup <\/i> tab in the System Configuration<\/em> box, click OK <\/i>. <\/li>\n
          • Restart your computer by right-clicking the Power<\/i> icon and selecting Restart<\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Once in a clean boot environment, you can carry out what is needed for troubleshooting your issue. The steps to perform depend on the problem you are having, so make sure you know what to do.  <\/p>\n