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You may have wanted to change the Windows XP startup options, and Microsoft is kind enough to provide a utility to edit them, without having to edit confusing files.

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Steps

  1. Change Windows XP Startup Options Step 1.jpg
    1
    Run the msconfig utility by going to Start --> Run and type in "msconfig.exe" (without the quotes) or you can go to Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> Command Prompt and type "msconfig"
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  2. Change Windows XP Startup Options Step 2.jpg
    2
    Go to the BOOT.INI tab.
  3. 3
    Select the options you want to set for XP to boot up with.
    • Here are some good options here (some aren't included in msconfig):
    • /SOS:Displays information about each driver it loads. It also provides other information, like the XP build number and amount of memory installed.
      Change Windows XP Startup Options Step 3Bullet2.jpg
    • /BOOTLOG:Saves a boot log to %WINDOWSDIR%\ntbtlogl.txt
      Change Windows XP Startup Options Step 3Bullet3.jpg
    • /NOGUIBOOT:Don't load the XP splash screen on bootup.
      Change Windows XP Startup Options Step 3Bullet4.jpg
    • /SAFEBOOT:switch:Loads Safe Mode with the following options:
      Change Windows XP Startup Options Step 3Bullet5.jpg
      • minimal:standard safe mode
      • network:also load network drivers
      • minimal(alternate shell):load cmd.exe
  4. Change Windows XP Startup Options Step 4.jpg
    4
    To manually edit the options, go to %SYSTEM_DRIVE%\boot.ini and edit the text next to multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)/WINDOWS ="Microsoft Windows XP"
    • Next time you boot, Windows XP will be load with these options!
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Article Info

Categories: XP Instructions

In other languages:

Español: Cómo cambiar las opciones de inicio de Windows XP, Русский: изменить параметры запуска Windows XP, Português: Como Alterar as Opções de Inicialização do Windows XP

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