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How to Start Windows 7 Using Last Known Good Configuration

LKGC starts Windows with the last set of working files

By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 7, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide

What to Know

Repeatedly press F8 as (or just before) Windows splash screen loads to open Advanced Boot Options menu.Next: Select Last Known Good Configuration (advanced) > wait for startup > log into usual Windows account.Next: Check to see if problem is gone. If recurring, go back and troubleshoot or use System Restore. This article explains how to start Windows 7 and Windows Vista using Last Known Good Configuration (LKGC)—so long as Windows was working correctly before its last shutdown. Last Known Good Configuration isn't available in Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8, but there are other startup options you can read about at the bottom of this page. 01 of 05

Press the F8 Key at the Windows 7 Splash Screen

To start Windows 7 using Last Known Good Configuration, press the F8 key over and over just as, or just before, the Windows 7 splash screen starts to load (i.e., keep pressing it while Windows starts). This will load the Advanced Boot Options menu. It's really easy to miss the small window of opportunity to press F8. If you see the Windows 7 animation begin then it's too late. If you don't press F8 in time, wait until the Windows 7 login screen appears and restart the computer from there. Do not log in. If you do, and then shut down Windows 7, you'll lose any benefit of using LKGC. 02 of 05

Choose Last Known Good Configuration

Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to highlight Last Known Good Configuration (advanced), and then press Enter. 03 of 05

Wait for Windows 7 to Start

Wait while Windows 7 starts, hopefully normally. It shouldn't take much longer than you're used to. Unlike starting Windows 7 in Safe Mode, there are no scary-looking lists of system files running down the screen as Windows starts with Last Known Good Configuration. Remember, all you're doing is rewinding driver and registry settings to those that worked the last time Windows 7 was shut down properly. 04 of 05

Login to Your Account

Log in to the same Windows 7 account that you usually use. If Windows 7 wasn't starting at all, and you've reached this point, it's a good sign that Last Known Good Configuration is going to solve, or at least get you closer to solving, the problem you were having. If your problem didn't start until later on, you'll have to wait until the next step to see if LKGC did you any good. 05 of 05

Check to See If the Problem Is Solved

At this point, Windows 7 has loaded "known good" driver and registry configuration data, so you'll now need to test to see if the problem went away. If Windows 7 wasn't booting whatsoever, congratulations, it looks like Last Known Good Configuration worked like a charm. Otherwise, you'll need to test to see if the problem you were having reoccurs. For example, if you experienced a BSOD when you entered the Control Panel, give it a try. If you tried updating a Windows 7 driver and your sound quit working, try it out now. If Last Known Good Configuration didn't fix the problem, trying it again won't be of much use. It's only good once since, unfortunately, Windows 7 doesn't store multiple configurations. In most cases, your next option is to use System Restore. We have an article on how to use System Restore to undo system changes in Windows if you need help. However, if you were following a troubleshooting guide specific to the problem you're having, your best option is to go back to that troubleshooting and continue as directed.

LKGC in Windows 11

If you're not using Windows 7 or Vista, you might be wondering how to start Windows 11, 10, or 8 using Last Known Good Configuration. While there is a similar startup menu with troubleshooting tools, it doesn't include the option to use LKGC. What you can do instead in those newer Windows versions is boot into Safe Mode, which is a startup type that loads basic drivers and is often a first step in troubleshooting startup issues. See How to Use Advanced Startup Options for details on everything you can do from this menu, and check out How to Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 11/10/8 for help getting there. As of January 2020, Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows 7. We recommend upgrading to Windows 10 or Windows 11 to continue receiving security updates and technical support. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Start Windows 8 or 8.1 in Safe Mode Startup Settings (What It Is and How to Use It) How to Disable Auto Restart From the ABO Menu in Windows 7 How Do I Start Windows in Safe Mode? How to Fix a Computer That Won't Start in Safe Mode How to Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 11/10/8 How to Fix Problems During the Windows Login Process How to Start Windows Vista in Safe Mode How to Start Windows 7 in Safe Mode How to Fix 0x0000008E BSOD Errors Advanced Boot Options (What It Is and How to Use It) How to Use System Restore (Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP) How to Fix Freezing & Other Issues During Windows Startup How Do I Automatically Repair Windows Problems? How to Start Windows XP in Safe Mode How to Fix Problems Caused by Windows Updates Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies