Follow these steps to perform a clean boot:
- Click Start -> Run in Windows (or Windows+R key), then type "MSCONFIG" (without the quotations) in the Search Bar and then Press "Enter" to launch the System Configuration Utility. Alternatively, you can search "msconfig" in the startup menu and select "System Configuration."
- Click the "Services" tab and then check the "Hide All Microsoft Services" box and click "Disable All" (sometimes this box is gray, if it is that is fine).
- For Windows 8-10 press "Startup" tab, then "Open Task Manager." After doing so, in the startup tab select each startup item and then select "Disable"
- For Windows 7, on the "General" tab, click "Selective Startup" then uncheck "Load startup items"
Once this is done restart your computer and then launch the game to see if you are still experiencing issues.
Please keep in mind that doing a “Clean Boot” is a troubleshooting step, not a solution. If some programs you have installed have been disabled, you can re-enable them later.
If you see the System Configuration Utility, check the box "Don't show this message" and then click "OK".
During this troubleshooting phase, you are monitoring your computer while in the Clean Boot environment. If you do not get the same issues during this phase, it indicates that the problem is related to one of the applications or services you have disabled. You may use the MSCONFIG tool again to re-enable the disabled item one by one to find out the culprit.