How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11

A clean boot is a troubleshooting technique used to start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps identify software conflicts that might be causing system instability, slowdowns, or errors. If your PC is crashing, freezing, or behaving unusually, performing a clean boot can help isolate the problem. This guide will walk through the steps to perform a clean boot in Windows 11.

Why a Clean Boot Is Required

Unlike Safe Mode, which disables most drivers and system services, a clean boot allows Windows to start normally but with only essential services and programs enabled. This method is particularly useful when:

• Apps are not launching properly
• Windows is slow or unresponsive
• You're trying to install or uninstall software and get errors
• A background process is interfering with system performance

How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11

To perform a clean boot of Windows 11 to troubleshoot problems, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open the System Configuration Tool

Press Win + R, type msconfig and press Enter.

Step 2. Configure the Services Tab

1. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.

2. Check the box labeled Hide all Microsoft services at the bottom.

3. Click Disable all to turn off all third-party services.

Step 3. Disable Startup Items

1. Go to the Startup tab in System Configuration.

2. Click Open Task Manager. This will open the Startup section of Task Manager.

3. In Task Manager, right-click each enabled startup item and choose Disable.

4. Close Task Manager once done and go back to the System Configuration, select OK to save your changes, then restart your computer.

What to Do After a Clean Boot

Use your system normally and check whether the issue persists. If the problem is resolved, it's likely caused by a disabled service or startup item.

To identify the culprit:

1. Re-enable services and startup programs one at a time.

2. Restart your PC after enabling each item.

3. Observe whether the problem returns.

This process helps isolate the exact program or service causing the issue.

Steps to Take After Performing a Clean Boot

1. Once you're done troubleshooting:

2. Reopen System Configuration.

3. On the General tab, select Normal startup.

4. On the Services tab, click Enable all.

5. On the Startup tab, open Task Manager and re-enable the startup programs you want.

6. Restart your PC.

Conclusion

Performing a clean boot in Windows 11 is a straightforward but powerful method to troubleshoot software-related issues. It helps narrow down which app or service might be causing problems, saving time and avoiding unnecessary reinstalls.