Repair the msconfig command with the registry editor.
Msconfig is the command that starts the System Configuration Utility in Windows operating systems. The utility lets users troubleshoot the system by controlling which services are running, which programs start with the system and providing a place to open other system tools. If a virus or corrupted file makes the msconfig command stop working, repair it by replacing the file and repairing its path in the system registry.
Instructions
Replace the File
1. Open "My Computer" and navigate to the "Windows\System32" folder in Windows 7 and Vista and the "WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\binaries" folder in Windows XP, both located in the root directory of the hard drive.
2. Search the folder for the "msconfig.exe" file. If it is present, skip to Section 2 to repair the file's registry entry. If it is missing, replace it from the Windows installation disc.
3. Insert the Windows installation disc into the system's optical drive.
4. Click the Start menu and select "All Programs." In the Accessories folder, click on "Command Prompt."
5. Type "EXPAND -R "X":\I386\MSCONFIG.EX_ C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32" into the command prompt window, replacing "X" with the letter designation of the optical drive containing the installation disc. For Windows XP, use the command "EXPAND -R "X":\I386\MSCONFIG.EX_ C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\BINARIES" instead. Press "Enter."
6. Test the msconfig command for operation. If it does not succeed, continue to the Section 2 and repair the file's registry entry.
Repair the Registry
7. Type "regedit" into the Start menu's search bar or the Run dialog box. Press "Enter" to open the registry editor.
8. Scroll down and expand the "My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\MSCONFIG.EXE folder. Double-click the "Default" text in the Name column.
9. Enter the file path of the "msconfig.exe" file into the Value Data box, either "C:\Windows\System32\msconfig.exe" for Windows 7 and Vista or "C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe" for Windows XP. Press "OK" and test the msconfig command for proper operation.
Tags: msconfig command, installation disc, EXPAND I386, EXPAND I386 MSCONFIG, file registry, file registry entry
