Reference number: CH000626

How to load last known good configuration.

Question:

How to load last known good configuration.

Additional information:

The "Last Known Good Configuration" option was first introduced in Microsoft Windows 2000 and is available in all later versions of Windows including Windows XP. This feature enables a user to load the last working version of Microsoft Windows. This is a great step to try when trying to fix issues with a computer not being able to load into Windows.

Note: Users able to open normal Windows XP mode and who wish to restore their version of Windows to an date before the last known good configuration may also wish to consider doing a system recovery in Windows. Additional information about how to do this can be found on document CH000589.

Answer:

To load the last known good configuration in Windows 2000 / XP reboot the computer and as it's booting booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Last Known Good Configuration" and press your Enter key.

Trouble Getting into Windows 2000 or Advanced Options menu - If after several attempts you are unable to get into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe Mode as the computer is booting into Windows turn off your computer. When the computer is turned on the next time Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen.

Note: With some computers if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message as the computer is booting. If this occurs instead of pressing and holding the "F8 key" tap the "F8 key" continuously until you get the startup menu.

As can be seen from the above example, you should be able to highlight and press enter to load the last known good configuration. Once completed the computer should restart and attempt to load into Windows.

Will running the Last Known Good Configuration delete anything?

No, running the last known good configuration will restore your last good system settings and will not delete anything. The only thing you may have to reinstall programs you have recently installed because the configuration for those programs may have been lost.