Make a comparison on how to open System Configuration in Windows 7 Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
Skip to main content This browser is no longer supported. Show
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support. How to use the System Configuration utility to troubleshoot configuration errors
In this articleThis article describes how to use the System Configuration utility to troubleshoot configuration errors. Applies to: Windows Vista IntroductionThis article describes how to use the System Configuration utility (Msconfig.exe) to troubleshoot configuration errors that might prevent Windows Vista from starting correctly. More informationThe System Configuration utility finds and isolates issues. However, it is not a startup management program. For more information about how to disable or to permanently remove the programs that run when Windows starts, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 270035 How to disable programs that run when you start Windows XP Home Edition or Windows Vista Advanced troubleshootingThese troubleshooting steps are intended for advanced computer users. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to ask someone for help or to contact support. For information about how to contact support, visit
the following Microsoft Web site: When you use this utility, you can select options to temporarily prevent services and programs from loading during the Windows startup process. With this process, you can reduce the risk of making typing errors when you use Registry Editor. Additionally, when you use the utility, it is easy to restore the original configuration. When you use the System Configuration utility, you can start Windows while common services and startup programs are disabled. Then, you can enable them one at a time. If an issue does not occur when a service is disabled but does occur when the service is enabled, the service could be the cause of the issue. You can easily reset or change the configuration settings in Windows Vista to include preferences for the following settings:
Startup options that are availableThe following startup options are available:
Normal startupThe normal startup option is the Windows default. This option enables Windows to start in normal mode together with all programs, services, and device drivers loaded. Diagnostic startupThe diagnostic startup option enables Windows to determine which basic device drivers and software to load when you start Windows. When you use this option, the system temporarily disables Microsoft services such as the following services:
Note Do not use this option if you have to use a Microsoft service to test an issue. To perform a diagnostic startup, follow these steps:
If the issue does not occur after Windows restarts, use the selective startup option to try to find the issue by disabling and enabling individual services and startup programs. Selective startupThe selective startup option enables you to select the programs and services that you want the computer to load when you restart the computer. You can select from the following options:
By default, all these options are selected. The following rules apply to these options:
Note When you click to clear the Load system services check box, you disable Microsoft services such as the following services:
Do not click to clear this check box if you have to use a Microsoft service to test an issue. To perform a selective startup and to troubleshoot the issue, follow these steps:
If you can reproduce the issue after the computer restarts, the issue is not related to system services or startup items. In this case, the System Configuration utility will not help troubleshoot the issue. If you cannot reproduce the issue after the computer restarts, the issue is related to either the system services or the startup items. To determine the items to which the issue is related, follow these steps:
If you can reproduce the issue after the computer restarts, the issue is related to one of the system services. Otherwise, the issue is related to one of the startup items. After you determine the items to which the issue is related, follow the steps in the "How to determine the service or startup item that is causing the issue" section to determine the individual service or startup item that is causing the issue. How to determine the service or startup item that is causing the issueTo determine the cause of the issue, you can prevent individual services and startup items from loading when you restart the computer. You can follow these steps. How to determine the system service that is causing the issue
How to determine the startup item that is causing the issue
How to enable and to disable individual services and startup itemsServices and startup optionsThe Services and Startup tabs in the System Configuration utility have the following options:
Note When you click to clear a check box for an item, the Selective Startup option on the General tab is automatically selected. How to return to normal startupAfter you complete your troubleshooting and fix your configuration, return to a normal startup. You can follow these steps:
How to start diagnostic tools and other advanced toolsYou can use the Tools tab in the System Configuration utility to start diagnostic tools and other advanced tools. The Tools tab also displays the path and the switches for the tools. To start one or more of the tools that are listed on the Tools tab, click the tool that you want to start, and then click Launch. Or, click the tool that you want to start, and then press ALT+L. ReferencesFor more information about advanced troubleshooting for general startup problems in Windows Vista, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 927392 How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista For more information about how to use System Restore to restore Windows Vista, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 936212 How to repair the operating system and how to restore the operating system configuration to an earlier point in time in Windows Vista For more information about how to configure Windows Vista to start in a "clean boot" state, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 929135 How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista If these articles can't help you resolve the issue or if you experience symptoms that differ from those ones described
in this article, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for more information. To search the Microsoft Knowledge Base, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Type the text of the error message that you receive, or type a description of the issue in the Search box, and then press ENTER. What is the difference between Windows 7 Windows 8 and Windows 10?Stability - Right now Windows 10 is brand new and it has launched with a surprisingly large number of bugs which you won't find in Windows 7 or Windows 8. Among these are disappearing icons from the taskbar, Start Menu lock-ups, Windows Store download bugs, copy and paste errors, problems with audio and more.
How do I open configuration in Windows 7?Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to launch it, type "msconfig", and then press Enter or click/tap on OK. The System Configuration tool should open immediately.
How do I open msconfig in Windows 10?From the taskbar, search System Configuration. Select the top result, System Configuration desktop app.
How can I open System Configuration in Windows?To open System Configuration, open the Control Panel, click Large Icons or Small Icons from the View By drop-down list, and click Administrative Tools. Double-click the System Configuration shortcut. If you are at the Windows Start screen, type MSCONFIG. Click the Msconfig icon in the Apps window.
|