Using Msconfig to troubleshoot conflicts in Windows XP

Learn about using Msconfig to troubleshoot conflicts in Windows XP.

In Windows XP, some background processes can cause issues that may prevent applications such as iTunes and QuickTime Player from working correctly, opening, or even installing. Learn how you might resolve these conflicts by disabling some items using the System Configuration Utility (Msconfig).
Note: This utility is not included with Windows 2000.
Using Msconfig to troubleshoot conflicts in Windows Vista and Windows 7 is discussed in this article.
Important: Disabling third-party System Services and Startup Items can prevent some software or OEM hardware on your computer from working correctly. For example, this can affect the CD/DVD control buttons on portable computers or prevent wireless keyboards and mice from functioning. If you are already using the Selective Startup option in Windows (see step 4 below), you will need to keep track of which items you disable and re-enable so after performing this troubleshooting, you can get your computer back to the way it was. Selecting Normal Startup may enable items that you were not using, and could cause issues.

1. On the Start menu, click Run. A Run window (command prompt) appears.
2. Type msconfig in the Open field and click OK. The System Configuration Utility opens.
3. Click the General tab.
4. Select the "Selective Startup" option.
5. Deselect the "Load Startup Items" checkbox.
   
6. Click the Startup tab.
7. Select the "iTunesHelper" and "qttask" checkboxes in the list.
   
8. Click the Services tab.
9. Make sure that "Hide All Microsoft Services" is selected.
10. Click Disable All.
    
    Note: If you are troubleshooting an issue related to iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, select the "Apple Mobile Device" checkbox.
11. Click OK.
12. Click Restart.
13. After restarting (and logging in to Windows), a window appears confirming that "You have used the System Configuration Utility to make changes to the way Windows starts." Click OK. The System Configuration Utility appears. Do not click OK here as this will prompt you to restart again. First try to reproduce the issue you were having.

If following these steps resolves the issue, you may want to use the System Configuration Utility to turn on the third-party System Services and Startup Items one or a few at a time (restarting your computer after turning on the item or items) to identify which System Service or Startup Item is causing the conflict. You can turn all of them back on by selecting the Normal Startup option under the General tab of the System Configuration Utility window, but please note that this may cause the issue to recur.

Additional Information

If the issue is still occurring with Selective Startup mode, third-party security software may still be running in the background regardless of how Msconfig is set up. To continue troubleshooting, follow the steps in iTunes for Windows: Troubleshooting security software issues.

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Last Modified: Apr 24, 2012