Tips, Tweaks & Tricks

Last Known Good Configuration feature in Windows XP

This article describes how to use the Last Known Good Configuration
feature in Windows XP. The Last Known Good Configuration feature is a
recovery option that you can use to start your computer by using the
most recent settings that worked. The Last Known Good Configuration
feature restores registry information and driver settings that were in
effect the last time the computer started successfully. Use the Last
Known Good Configuration feature when you cannot start Windows XP after
you make a change to your computer, or when you suspect that a change
that you just made may cause a problem. For example, you can use this
feature if you cannot start Windows XP after you install a new driver
for your video adapter, or if you installed an incorrect driver and
have not yet restarted your computer.



When you start your computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration
feature, Windows XP restores information in the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet

Note Any changes that were made to other registry keys remain.

To start your computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature, follow these steps:



1. Start your computer.

2. When you see the "Please select the operating system to start" message, press the F8 key.

3. When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, use the ARROW keys
to select Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that
worked), and then press ENTER.

4. If you are running other operating systems on your computer, use the
ARROW keys to select Microsoft Windows XP, and then press ENTER.

Troubleshooting

• With the Last Known Good Configuration feature, you can recover from
configuration problems such as newly installed drivers that may be
incorrect for your computer's hardware. It does not correct problems
that are caused by missing or corrupted drivers or files.

• The Last Known Good Configuration feature uses information that is
saved from the last time that you shut down your computer to restore
registry settings and drivers. Therefore, you can use this feature only
if you were able to start your computer successfully before you restore
your computer by using the last known good configuration.

• After you start your computer by using the Last Known Good
Configuration feature, changes that were made since the last successful
startup are lost.