The Microsoft System Configuration (Msconfig) tool is a Microsoft

software application used to change configuration settings, such as

which software opens with Windows. This document explains how to
use Msconfig to resolve problems with the computer. Msconfig helps
Windows control the software that automatically loads while
Windows is starting. For troubleshooting purposes, use the following
steps to prevent all software programs from automatically opening
when Windows starts.

General tab
Use the General tab to prevent specific software applications from
opening with Windows. The following selections are on the General
tab:

 Normal startup - instructs Windows to open all software

applications that are normally scheduled to start with Windows.

 Diagnostic startup - starts Windows with basic services and

drivers only. With this mode, you can determine if a basic Window
file is the problem.

 Selective startup - allows you to choose which programs and

services you want to open, and which you want to keep from
opening at startup tab.

Boot tab
The Boot tab shows configuration options listed inside the system
information file. Some options in the Boot tab follow.

 Safe boot: Minimal - Disables networking. Boots to the

Windows user interface (Explorer) in safe mode, running critical
system services only.
 Safe boot: Alternate shell - Disables networking. Boots to
the command prompt in safe mode, running critical system
services only.

 Safe boot: Active Directory repair - Similar to minimal safe

boot, except the Active Directory is enabled.

 Safe boot: Network - Similar to a minimal safe boot, except

the network is enabled.

 No GUI boot - The Windows splash screen is disabled when

booting

 Boot log - Stores all information from the boot process in a file.

 Base video - Boots to Windows user interface in minimal VGA

mode.

 OS boot information - Shows each driver name as each driver

is loaded during the boot process.

 Make all boot settings permanent - Changes made in

System Configuration are not tracked. If you want to make changes
later, you will have to do so manually. Selecting Normal startup in
the General tab will not work if this feature is selected.

 Timeout field - Using Msconfig can cause the operating

system selection screen to display for thirty seconds; as a result,
thirty seconds is added to the overall startup time. To prevent the
operating selection screen from appearing for thirty seconds on
startup, change the timeout line in the Timeout field to zero.