Definition

• Minimal startup in Vista is a way to boot up your computer with the bare minimum of programs to make it run. This is used to determine if any startup problems originate from corruption in Vista or with a third-party program.
  
  

Troubleshooting

• Over time, installed third-party programs add themselves to the computer registry so they are available more quickly after its turned on for the user's convenience. The registry is a list of commands that all Windows operating systems use to bootup. If any of these programs is corrupted, it could interrupt startup and cause a computer to 'hang' and become unresponsive. Minimal startup allows Vista to disregard everything unnecessary to startup the computer.
  
  

Significance

• Minimal startup allows a user to easily determine the nature of a computer problem without having to unnecessarily reinstall the entire operating system or without paying for a professional technician.