What Is The Full Form Of MSConfig?
The full form of MSConfig is Microsoft System Configuration Utility.
MSConfig is used to execute System Configuration or Microsoft Configuration Utility. Introduced in Windows 98, it is available in all the later Windows OS versions. One can use it to configure the way a computer starts and the programs and services load during the starting of Windows. Basically, MSConfig acts as the de-facto troubleshooter for the startup process of Windows. This utility can spawn/restrict the startup services. It can also disable the startup programs and change the system boot parameters.
It can configure the startup process on Windows OS, restrict/spawn startup services, disable startup programs, and change system boot parameters.
Starting MSConfig
The users who run Windows 98 or the later versions can open the MSConfig using these steps:
Step #1 – When you are at the Desktop, press the Win + R hotkey. It will open the Run window.
Step #2 – Type msconfig in the text box of the prompt mentioned before, then press Enter.
Step #3 – A Window should open on the screen, named System Configuration.
Uses of MSConfig
A Windows user can often use MSConfig for speeding up the starting process of the machine that uses Microsoft Windows. But it is not a startup management program, according to Microsoft.
Features of MSConfig
It is a troubleshooting tool, and it can temporarily disable as well as re-enable device drivers, software, and Windows services running during the startup process. Thus, it helps a user to determine what’s causing the problems with Windows.
A few of MSConfig functions vary by the Windows versions:
- MSConfig in Windows Me and Windows 98 can configure settings of advanced troubleshooting related to these OS (operating systems). It also has the capability to launch common system tools.
- It can also restore and back up various files in Windows 98.
- The Windows Me comes with an updated version of MSConfig with three new tabs termed Static VxDs, International, and Environment.
- The Environment tab permits users to disable/ enable the environment variables.
- The Static VxDs tab enables users to disable/enable loading of static virtual device drivers at startup.
- On the Startup tab, a Cleanup button lets users clean up the deleted or invalid startup entries.
- The International tab enables the users to set keyboard layout settings of any international language – previously set through the real-mode MS-DOS configuration files.
- MSConfig in Windows XP and Windows Me can also restore files from the original set of Windows installation.
- It can hide all OS services in Windows Vista and Windows XP for troubleshooting.
- It can also set various BOOT.INI switches on the NT-based OS prior to Windows Vista.
Advantages of MSConfig
- One could use MSConfig for performing a safe mode boot. Meaning, it will only allow selective drivers/ apps to load at startup- thus allowing the diagnosis of any startup-related issues.
- It helps a user follow an easy way to access some Windows features like Changing UAC Settings, Command Prompt, Event Viewer, System Restore, etc.
- MSConfig enables faster startup because it disables a few settings on the Boot tab.
- A user can also specify the total number of resources utilized after/for bootstrapping.
Disadvantages of MSConfig
- In the newer Windows OS iterations, MSConfig contains various obsolete features like Startup Tab.
- Some features are transient. For instance, they only exist on a particular version. Ex. MSConfig has a tab on Windows ME under the name Environment Variable. The users can access, delete or modify the non-volatile variables of their OS from here. And this feature no longer exists in the recent iterations of this utility.
- One can disable Essential Microsoft services by going to the services tab. It could lead to further instability in the Operating System.
- MSConfig makes it possible to disable device drivers from the Services or Startup tab. It may lead to malfunctioning of devices. Ex. One can disable a Graphics Driver service. As a result, Windows will not initialize the driver at startup. This step leads to a startup with either no drivers or only basic drivers. Certain features like Brightness regulation may not work properly due to it.
- By itself, MSConfig causes no harm to any OS. In fact, it is a commendable utility for troubleshooting any problems related to startup. It also aids a user in accessing a few essential windows features. But you must use it Cautiously.
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