How to Access System Configuration (msconfig) in Windows

This wikiHow guide teaches you 4 ways to open the System Configuration utility, also known as msconfig, on a Windows computer. We'll also teach you how to use the System Configuration utility to change boot options, disable startup services, and more.

Easy Ways to Open System Configuration

Press the Windows key, type msconfig, then select System Configuration.
Alternatively, press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
To open from Command Prompt or PowerShell, type msconfig and press Enter.
If you're using Windows 11, you'll also find it in Start > All > Windows Tools.

Section 1 of 6:

Using Windows Search

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Press the Windows key and type msconfig. You should see "System Configuration" in the search results.^{[1]
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- These steps will work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Or, you can just press the ↵ Enter key. This opens the Windows System Configuration utility.

Section 2 of 6:

Using the Start Menu (Windows 11)

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If you're using Windows 11, you'll also find a shortcut to the System Configuration utility in your Start menu. Here's how to get there:
- Open the Start menu and click All at the top-right corner.
- Scroll down to the "W" section.
- Click Windows Tools.
- When the window opens, find and double-click the System Configuration icon.

Section 3 of 6:

Using the Run Dialog

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Press the Windows key + R at the same time. This opens the Run dialog.^{[2]
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- You can also access the Run dialog by typing run into the Windows search bar and clicking Run.
- These steps will work on any version of Windows.
This opens the Windows System Configuration utility.

Section 4 of 6:

Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

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Open Command Prompt or PowerShell. You can use this method to open Windows System Configuration from any of Windows' command line options on any version of Windows. An easy way to get to the command prompt is to press the Start menu, type cmd, and press Enter.
- Alternatively, if you want to use PowerShell, type powershell, then click Windows PowerShell in the search results.
- Tip: If you're using Windows 11, try right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Terminal. The Terminal app opens to PowerShell by default, but you can open a Command Prompt (cmd) tab by clicking the down arrow at the top of the window and selecting Command Prompt.
This instantly opens the System Configuration utility on your Windows PC.

Section 5 of 6:

Changing Startup Options in System Configuration

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This takes you to a screen that allows you to choose a different startup option if you need to troubleshoot Windows startup issues.^{[3]
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Select a different startup option. Here's what you can do:^{[4]
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- Normal startup: By default, your PC is typically set to "Normal startup," which means that all drivers and services are enabled at boot time.
- Diagnostic startup: This option tells your PC to boot up with all background processes disabled, which can be helpful when troubleshooting. The following services will all be disabled in this startup mode:
  - Networking
  - "Plug and Play"
  - Event Logging
  - Error Reporting
  - System Restore
- Selective startup: This option allows you to choose not to load services and/or startup programs for troubleshooting purposes. This option will also be selected by default if you've disabled any services at boot time.
If you want to reboot your PC into Safe Mode, you can check the box next to "Safe boot" here, then reboot your PC. Just keep in mind that your computer will continue booting into Safe Mode until you return to the System Configuration Boot tab and uncheck "Safe boot."^{[5]
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Reboot your PC. When the computer comes back up, it will load Windows according to your preferences.
- When you are finished troubleshooting, return to System Configuration to switch back to Normal startup.

Section 6 of 6:

Disabling Services in System Configuration

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Click the Services tab in System Configuration. If you want to see which services are running on your PC and disable the ones you don't need, use System Configuration.
- This is where you can view things like program update processes, Windows services (e.g., audio), and other background running items.
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Locate a service you want to change. Scroll through the list of Windows services until you find the one you want to disable. Services are arranged alphabetically by default.^{[6]
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- To make sure you don't disable any crucial Microsoft services, check the box next to "Hide all Microsoft services."
- If you don't have a specific service in mind when you open System Configuration, consider leaving the services alone. Disabling random services can harm your computer.
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Uncheck a service's box to disable it. If there's a check mark next to a service, the service is set to start automatically when your PC boots. To disable the service at startup, uncheck its box.^{[7]
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- Tip: Unchecking the box in System Configuration will not disable the service immediately. If you want to stop or start a service, use the services.msc panel instead.
- If you're troubleshooting a PC that's booting slowly, you may want to hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all temporarily. Just make sure you hide Microsoft services first, or else you may not be able to log back in after you reboot your PC.
These are both at the bottom of the window. Doing so will mark the selected service(s) as disabled at startup and close the System Configuration window.
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Click Restart when prompted. This will restart your computer. Once it finishes restarting, your selected service(s) will officially be disabled.
- You can also click Exit without restarting if you want to manually restart your computer later.

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Safe Mode also sends me to a menu where I choose accounts to open safe mode; I have to choose user account, and it is frozen there, too. What can I do?

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You will need to reinstall Windows. Use a bootable media.

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How do I log on to my personal laptop as administrator?

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Press the WIN key, and type CMD. Click on the command prompt and type: 'net user administrator /active:yes'. If you log out and in again, you will see an admin.

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What do I do if my screen is black out but still wants me to enter a system password?

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Press CRTL-ALT-DEL. Click on Task Manager. In the Processes tab, look for Run Once Wrapper. Right click on it and click on End task. Desktop will show up. Press Start button and type Uninstall a program and press Enter. Look for WSE_Binkiland.

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You can re-enable a disabled service by opening the System Configuration program, re-checking the disabled service's box, clicking Apply and OK, and restarting your computer.

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