MSConfig is a tool that can be used to configure the Windows operating system. It is very similar to the System Configuration utility in earlier versions of Windows. In Windows 8, there is a new feature called “The New System Configuration.” I will talk about this later. To open MSCONFIG, on Windows 7:

  1. Click on the Start button and type in msconfig into the search box.
  2. When MSCONFIG appears in the search results, click on it to open it.
  3. On the General tab, you will see a list of options that are available to you in MSCONFIG.
  4. The first option that you will want to look at is the Startup Type option, which allows you to choose between Normal startup or Minimal startup mode.
  5. The next option that you will want to look at is the Boot Options tab, which allows you to choose between Normal boot or Safe boot mode.
  6. The last option that you will want to look at is the Advanced Options tab, which allows you to choose between two different types of startup: Automatic and Manual startup modes (the Automatic mode is new in Windows 8). ..

In Windows 10, the system configuration dialog will have only one tab: System.

MSCONFIG General Tab

The General tab is the tab that is typically selected by default when you open the Firefox browser.

  1. Normal Startup
  2. Diagnostic Startup
  3. Safe Mode

When you select Diagnostic startup and click Apply, you will see that it automatically selects Selective startup with only the Load system services box filled in. In diagnostic mode, you get more drivers and services started by default than with Safe Mode, which I explain below. If you find you need to use a Control Panel item or a program that simply won’t run on Safe Mode, then you can try diagnostic mode, which loads less than a normal startup but more than Safe Mode. ..

When you click Diagnostic startup, and then click Apply, the Load system services box is not checked. This is significant because if you check the Services tab and scroll through, you’ll see that only a handful of services are checked. Now if you go back to the General tab, and check the Load system services box with an actual checkmark, you’ll see that ALL services are checked under the Services tab not just a select few. ..

The Load startup items box enables or disables all of the startup items on the Startup tab.

If you are experiencing problems with your computer, the first step is to check the General tab and make sure that all of the services and startup items are enabled. If one of these items is causing your issue, disable it and see if that resolves the problem. If not, continue disabling services and startup items until you find the one that is causing your issue. ..

MSCONFIG Boot Tab

Windows 10 starts up in a few different ways, and the Boot tab lets you choose which one you want to use. You can start Windows 10 in Normal mode, which is the default, or in Safe Mode, which is a special mode that helps protect your computer from viruses. You can also start Windows 10 in Startup Repair mode, which tries to fix problems with your computer’s startup files. Finally, you can start Windows 10 in Safe Mode with Networking, which allows you to connect to the internet and access online resources. The General tab lets you choose how Windows starts up: Normal mode (the default), Safe Mode with Networking, or Startup Repair mode. The Services tab lets you choose how services start up: automatically (the default), or only when you need them. The Startup tab lets you choose what programs start up when Windows starts up: automatically (the default), or only when you specify them. ..

Boot options: -Which device to boot from -Which operating system to start -How to start the operating system Advanced options: -Which device driver to use -How to start the device driver -What kind of device driver to use ..

Option 1: Minimal This option allows you to pick the least amount of options to load, as well as the least amount of time to load. It defaults to the minimal option. Option 2: Alternate shell This option allows you to choose a different shell, if you want one. It defaults to the alternate shell option. Option 3: Active Directory repair and Network This option allows you to choose whether or not to repair Active Directory if it is damaged, or if it is not working properly. It defaults to the network option.

This is the standard safe mode that will load the GUI with only the most basic drivers and services enabled. Networking will be disabled in this mode. You can pretty much only open explorer and browse around. – Safe Mode with Networking – This is the same as minimal, but networking is enabled. This is the default mode when you first start up your computer. This is the same as minimal, but networking is enabled. This is the default mode when you first start up your computer. – Safe Mode with Command Prompt – This mode will start up your computer in command prompt mode instead of the graphical user interface (GUI). This can be useful if you need to make some advanced changes to your computer or if you just want more control over what happens during startup. ..

To enter alternate shell mode, type “alt” at the command prompt. This will load safe mode with just the command prompt. The GUI and networking will both be disabled. Only use this mode if you want to run DOS commands. ..

If your network is experiencing problems with Active Directory, your network administrator may be able to help by repairing the directory. This process is usually only necessary for corporate environments, as home users typically have a more stable Active Directory. ..

– Connect – This is like Minimal, except connecting to a network resource or website is enabled. Useful if you need to connect to a network resource or website for downloading files.

  1. Check all four checkboxes to get started.
  2. If you need to check only one, choose that option.
  3. Click the “next” button to continue reading.
  4. If you want to stop reading right now, click the “back” button.

This computer does not have a graphical bootloader like Windows. It will simply not show the Windows welcome screen when booted up.

The boot process can be a little confusing, so it’s helpful to have a boot log to help track down any issues. This file will list all the steps that were taken during the boot process.

Windows in minimal VGA mode uses standard VGA drivers instead of the drivers that are specific to the video card installed on the machine.

The output of the OS will show the names of the drivers being loaded during the boot up process.

Timeout is the amount of time the boot menu is shown before it selects the default option. If you check the Make all boot settings permanent box, then clicking Normal startup on the General tab will not revert you back to your original settings. You’ll have to manually change any boot settings.

Windows will continue to load in Safe Mode until you go back to the system configuration utility and uncheck it or choose normal startup.

MSCONFIG Services Tab

The Services tab is a list of all the Microsoft system services that you should keep enabled. This includes things like your email server, your antivirus program, and even your network adapter.

Windows 10 hides all Microsoft services by default, but you can enable third-party services if you need to. This tab is used to disable a service that is causing Windows to freeze, blue screen or something else that is not good.

MSCONFIG Startup Tab

The startup tab is one of the most popular tabs on my computer and I use it a lot. It’s the only tab I use that has a lot of programs enabled, which is why some clients are slow because of the number of programs they have to start up. even if I have a lot, I usually disable 80 percent of them because they’re not necessary.

Some startup items can control your wireless network card or touchpad, so it’s best to perform a simple Google search with the startup item name or EXE file that you can see under Command.

Disable startup programs in Windows There are a few things you can do to disable startup programs in Windows. One is to use the Control Panel, which you can access by clicking on the Start button and then clicking on the Control Panel icon. The Control Panel has a number of tools that you can use to disable startup programs. You can find these tools by looking for the program that is listed as an item on the left side of the Control Panel, and then clicking on it. You can also find these tools by using the search box on the top of the Control Panel, or by using one of the shortcut keys that are listed under Programs and Features.

MSCONFIG Tools Tab

Windows 10 comes with a whole bunch of useful utilities that can be accessed through the Tools tab. ..

This includes everything from information about Windows, UAC settings, action center, troubleshooters, computer management, event viewer, programs, system properties, Internet options, command prompt, registry editor, task manager, system restore. If you can’t remember where to find a tool or setting, it’s probably listed here.

The system configuration utility is a very handy tool to manage Windows PCs. It’s definitely something you should learn if you want to become a power user. If you have any questions, post a comment. Enjoy! ..