How to Perform a Clean Boot on Windows 11

Learn how to perform a clean boot on Windows 11 with our step-by-step guide. Follow our instructions to troubleshoot software conflicts and improve system performance.

How to Perform a Clean Boot on Windows 11: A Friendly Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to our friendly step-by-step guide on how to perform a clean boot on Windows 11. Windows 11 is the latest operating system by Microsoft, designed to provide users with a more streamlined and efficient computing experience. However, like any operating system, it's not uncommon to encounter issues that can impact performance and functionality. This is where performing a clean boot can be incredibly useful.

A clean boot is a troubleshooting technique that can help identify the cause of a problem by starting the system with minimal startup programs and drivers. Whether you're experiencing issues with your PC or simply want to optimize its performance, performing a clean boot can be an effective solution.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of performing a clean boot on Windows 11, ensuring that you can troubleshoot any issues and improve the overall performance of your system.

Step 1: Accessing System Configuration

The first step in performing a clean boot is to access the System Configuration tool. To do this, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. In the dialog box, type "msconfig" and press Enter. This will open the System Configuration window, which provides access to various system settings and configurations.

Step 2: Disabling Microsoft Services

Once you have accessed the System Configuration window, navigate to the "Services" tab. Here, you will see a list of services that are set to start automatically when your computer boots up. To perform a clean boot, it's essential to disable these services. However, it's important to note that some of these services are crucial for the proper functioning of Windows 11, so we need to ensure that we only disable third-party services.

To do this, check the box that says "Hide all Microsoft services." This will ensure that you only disable third-party services. Once this is done, click on "Disable all" to disable these services.

Step 3: Launching Task Manager

After disabling the services, it's time to launch Task Manager. You can do this by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting "Task Manager" from the menu. Task Manager provides detailed information about the programs and processes running on your system, allowing you to manage and monitor them effectively.

Step 4: Disabling Startup Apps

In Task Manager, navigate to the "Startup" tab. Here, you will see a list of apps that start automatically with your computer. These startup apps can have a significant impact on the boot time and overall performance of your system. To perform a clean boot, it's necessary to disable these startup apps.

You can disable each app by right-clicking on it and selecting "Disable." This will prevent these apps from starting up when you boot your system.

Step 5: Testing for Problem Resolution

Once you have completed these steps, it's time to restart your computer and test whether the problem you were experiencing has been resolved. By starting the system with minimal services and startup apps, you can effectively isolate any issues that may have been caused by conflicting programs or drivers.

If the problem persists even after performing a clean boot, there are other methods you can try to troubleshoot further. However, if the issue has been resolved, you can be confident that it was caused by a program or service that was running during the normal boot process.

Step 6: Enabling Apps One by One

If performing a clean boot resolves the issue, you can start enabling your apps one by one to identify which one was causing the problem. This step is crucial in pinpointing the specific program or service that was conflicting with your system.

To do this, reverse the steps by enabling each app in Task Manager's Startup tab and restarting your computer. By enabling one app at a time and testing your system's performance, you can identify the specific program that was causing the issue.

Stopping Clean Boot

Once you have completed your troubleshooting and identified the problematic program or service, it's essential to revert your system back to its normal startup configuration. To do this, revisit the System Configuration window by pressing the Windows key + R, typing "msconfig," and pressing Enter.

In the System Configuration window, go to the "Services" tab and select "Enable all." This will re-enable all the services that were previously disabled during the clean boot process. Additionally, open Task Manager again and enable every disabled application under the Startup tab.

Performing a clean boot on Windows 11 can be an effective way to troubleshoot system issues or improve overall performance. By starting the system with minimal startup programs and drivers, you can isolate and identify the cause of various problems that may be affecting your system's performance.

"

We hope this friendly step-by-step guide has been helpful in navigating through the clean boot process on Windows 11. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out - we're here to help! Thank you for reading, and we wish you success in optimizing your Windows 11 experience.