System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe)

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The System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe) is used to modify various settings and files that affect the way the computer boots and loads Windows.

• frequently used to test various configurations for diagnostic purposes, rather than making permanent configuration changes
  • once diagnostics is complete, permanent settings are set with Services
• General tab configures startup mode
  • Normal
  • Diagnostic
  • Selective - select portions of the boot sequence
• Boot tab configures basic settings in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store
  • change the default OS
  • add boot options with minimal drivers and services
  • set the timeout value (duration boot options menu is displayed)
  • to add boot paths, use the bcdedit command
  • can log boot events saved to %SystemRoot%\ntbtlog.txt
    • not shown in event viewer
• Services tab
  • choose which services are configured to run at startup
  • shows date a service was disabled
• Tools tab
  • shortcuts to various utilities

Info

If you are troubleshooting a system that keeps using safe boot or boots to a command prompt, check that one of the previous options has not been made permanent in System Configuration.