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IT Support & Hardware · Intermediate

Clean Boot

Starting Windows with only Microsoft services and no third-party startup items to isolate software conflicts.

Definition

A clean boot uses msconfig to hide all Microsoft services and disable the rest, plus disabling startup apps in Task Manager. Items are then re-enabled in halves to find the culprit. It is a troubleshooting technique, not Safe Mode.

Example

A crash disappears after a clean boot, then reappears when a backup agent service is re-enabled.

Exam tip

Clean boot isolates third-party software conflicts; Safe Mode limits drivers and services.

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