MSConfig is a tool used to the configuration of Software, Devices Drivers, Boot parameters and startup services in Windows operating systems. It is released with the Microsoft System Configuration Utility for Windows XP and previous operating systems. With Windows Vista, the name is changed into System Configuration for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows Server, etc.
Click Start, type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue. On the General tab, click Selective startup, and then click to clear the Load system services and Load startup items check boxes. Click OK, and then click Restart.
MSconfig can be opened from the command line like MS-DOS, PowerShell or cmd.exe. We will just use the msconfig command like below. Operating system Windows XP and later versions require Administrative privileges in order to use MSConfig.
We can also open the MSconfig from the Start menu of the Windows operating system. We will just type msconfig which will list the MSconfig as a first item. MSconfig is named as System Configuration and App type in Windows 10 like below.
- The MsConfig utility can be opened from the Run command box. This can be accessed via the task manager. 1- Press Windows key + r. 2- The run Box will open. 3- This is the famous Run command box we use to open different utilities in windows. Read: 101 Useful Run commands. 4- Type in-msconfig, and click on Run or Hit Enter.
- Click Start, Run and type: msconfig and press enter. In the System Configuration Utility click the Startup tab. Uncheck programs you do not want to load each time your computer starts. Once done click ok and restart the computer.
We can also use the Run Menu in order to open MSconfig. We will just type the msconfig command like below and click OK or ENTER.
When the MSconfig is opened the active tab is named General Tab. The General tab provides information about the startup selection. We can select the startup type of the system. Options are
- `Normal Startup` mode is the default selection. This will start the system normally by loading all device drivers and services.
- `Diagnostic Startup` mode is used to diagnose problems and errors. In diagnostic startup mode, basic devices and services are loaded.
- `Selective Startup` mode is used to select the components which will be loaded on system startup. We can enable or disable, system services, startup items, and original boot configuration.
Boot tab provides configuration options about the system boot. In the boot tab, we can set different boot options, boot timeout duration, safe boot, etc.
- `Windows 10 (C:WINDOWS) : Current OS; Default OS` will load default operating system located in `C:WINDOWS` which is identified as Windows 10.
- `Advanced Options` will open BOOT Advanced Options windows where we can specify the number of processors, maximum memory, serial port USB config, etc.
- `Safe boot` will enable the safe boot features of
- Minimal
- Alternate shell
- Active Directory repair
- Network
- `No GUI boot` will disable GUI for boot.
- `Boot log` will log the boot process and provides helpful information about the boot process.
- `Base video` will load basic video drivers in order to prevent video related problems.
- `OS boot information`
- `Timeout` is used to set timeout of boot screen before loading an operating system. The default value is 30 seconds.
- `Make all boot settings permanent` will save the new boot configurations automatically which will make them permanent.
Services Tab is used to configure services during boot. We can enable and disable some services during boot from this menu. We can see the listing of the services and information like Service Name, Manufacturer, Status and Date Disabled.
- `Hide all Microsoft services` will hide Microsoft related services that are mainly related to the operating system.
- `Enable All` will enable all services.
- `Disable All` will disable all services.
Startup Tab is one of the most used part of the MSConfig. The startup tab is used to start and stop programs that are automatically started during boot. These applications are generally the biggest cause of the slow or problematic system start. They can be disabled or enabled from the Startup tab. There are some information about startup applications like Startup Item,Manufacturer,Command,Location and Date Disabled.
- `Enable all` will enable all startup applications.
- `Disable all` will disable all startup applications.
- Thicks can be used to enable and disable the specific application.
In Windows 8 and later versions like Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012, Server 2016 the Task Manager is used to manage startup applications.
Tools Tab provides some useful tool shortcut to run them. These tools can be used to display Windows Version, Event Viewer, etc. We can simply run a tool by selecting the tool line and clicking the Launch button.
- `About Windows` will display the Windows version.
- `Change UAC Settings` will change user account control settings.
- `Security and Maintenance` will open the Security and Maintenance.
- `Windows Troubleshooting` will troubleshoot problems with the system.
- `Computer Management` will open the system settings and components.
- `System Information` will advanced information about the hardware and software settings of the system.
- `Event Viewer` will open the event viewer.
After making some changes with the MSConfig the system requires a reboot in order to make the new configuration to be effective. If it is not urgent we can reboot later where the configuration will be effective after the reboot.
- `Restart` will restart the system immediately and make the configuration change effective.
- `Exit without restart` will exit the MSConfig without a reboot. The configuration will be effective after the reboot.
The importance of Control Panel cannot be stressed upon enough. It is home to many crucial tools and settings in Windows 10. What if one day you find that the Control Panel isn’t responding. You might immediately be inclined to approach your IT administrator, which indeed is a wise option. But, what if he is unavailable for a while and you have an urgent task to finish. In that case, here are few simple fixes which might just get your Control Panel back to work-
Ways To Resolve Windows 10 Control Panel Not Responding
1. Clear Startup Program List
It might be possible that a startup program might be interfering with Control panel. So disabling the program may resolve the issue of the Control Panel not responding in Windows 10. To disable Startup programs, steps are mentioned below –
- Open Task Manager. One of the quickest ways is to right-click on the Taskbar and then click on Task Manager
- Click on the Startup tab
- Here you will see a list of programs running on the startup. Access each of the programs by looking at the Startup impact which you can see at the right-hand side. If you find the program is less productive, then right-click on it and click on the disable option
You can even manage startup programs by using some of the best startup manager tools too!
2. Use DISM Tool In The Command Prompt
Command Prompt can be intimidating for many users. And, to be honest, while it is a wonderful tool, it should be used with care. In case, the Control Panel is not responding in Windows 10; you can try using the DISM tool in the command prompt –
- Type Command Prompt in the search bar next to the Windows icon
- From the right-hand pane click on Run as administrator
- Type the following commands one by one and press enter after typing each command –
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth(press enter)
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth(press enter)
New to Command Prompt? Here are 7 tricks that can help you take off!
3. Rename or Delete The IDTNC64.cpl
IDTNC64.cpl is a Control Panel file which can at times cause the Control Panel to crash abruptly after some time. You can resolve the issue by either completely deleting this file or renaming this file. However, the latter is a better option.
Msconfig Not Working Windows 10
- Open Windows 10 File Explorer by pressing the Windows + E keys
- In the address bar at type C:WindowsSystem32
- Locate the IDTNC64.cpl file
- Rename the file by right-clicking on it
After you have changed the name, try and check if the Control Panel is responding or not.
4. Check Your System For Malware Or Virus
If you have a malware or virus in your PC, leave alone “Control Panel not responding” issue, your complete PC can be at stake, and you might have to deal with several other issues. And, worry not! We have already curated a list of some of the best free Anti-Malware software for Windows. You can even try Microsoft Windows Defender which itself is capable of offering protection against malware, viruses and spyware.
Another excellent malware removal tool that you can employ to deal with spyware, malware, adware and other infections is Advanced System Protector. To begin with, it comes with a vast database of spyware and malware definitions because of which its powerful engine can detect and remove all such infections in a blink of an eye.
5. Try Disabling Windows Error Reporting Service
It could be that Windows error reporting service is interfering because of which Control Panel is not opening in Windows 10. In that case, you can try and disable the Windows Error Reporting Service. The steps for the same are mentioned below –
- Press Windows + R keys
- In the Run dialogue box type msconfig
- When the System Configuration window opens click on Services tab
- Locate Windows Error Reporting Service and uncheck it to disable it
- Hit the Apply button and then click on OK
Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved
6. Resolve The Issue By Running SFC Scan
If the Control Panel is not responding in Windows 10, the reason could be system file corruption or SFC. And, you can catch hold of such issues by running an SFC scan. It is a straightforward process and here’s how you can do that – Drivers s2 usb modem.
- Open Windows PowerShell (Admin) by pressing the Windows+X keys and then selecting Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the pane
- Type SFC /SCANNOW and press enter
The SFC /SCANNOW will look for all corrupted files in your PC. After it has found the corrupted files, it will replace them with a cached copy. This process might take a few minutes to complete. After the completion of the process, restart your PC and check if your Control Panel is responding now.
- Open Run dialogue box by pressing the Windows + R keys
- Type services.msc and hit enter
- Locate Software Licensing service and check if its status is running. If not start it
- Reboot your PC
Check if this has resolved your issue.
Did The Issue Resolve?
Fix Msconfig Windows 10
Your Control Panel might as well be acting up because of PC lags, presence of malware or interfering startup programs and many others. Do we hope that you have gotten rid of the “Control Panel not Responding” issue once and for all? If yes! Do let us know in the comments section, which of the above fixes worked out for you. For more such troubleshooting content, keep reading Systweak blogs. You can find us on YouTube and Facebook too. Till the next time, adios!
What Is Msconfig
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