How to Enable or Disable the Boot Log in Windows


In Windows, you can enable the boot log that includes a list of loaded and unloaded drivers during the boot process. This information can be useful when you are trying to troubleshoot related issues.

The boot log is saved to the C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt file.

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the boot log in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to enable or disable the boot log.



Contents

  • Option One: To Enable or Disable Boot Log in System Configuration (msconfig)
  • Option Two: To Enable or Disable Boot Log in Command Prompt



EXAMPLE: Boot log (ntbtlog.txt)
Enable or Disable Boot Log in Windows-ntbtlog.png






OPTION ONE

To Enable or Disable Boot Log in System Configuration (msconfig)


1 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type msconfig into Run, and click/tap on OK to open System Configuration.

2 Click/tap on the Boot tab in System Configuration, check or uncheck (default) the Boot log box in Boot options for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Enable or Disable Boot Log in Windows-boot_log_msconfig-1.jpg

3 If you made any changes, click/tap on Restart to apply. (see screenshot below)

Enable or Disable Boot Log in Windows-boot_log_msconfig-2.jpg





OPTION TWO

To Enable or Disable Boot Log in Command Prompt


1 Open an elevated command prompt in Windows or a command prompt at boot.

2 Type bcdedit into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

Look for the OS (ex: "Windows 10") to the right of the description entry you want to enable or disable the boot log for.

Look to the right of the bootlog entry for this OS (ex: "Windows 10") to see if it is currently enabled (Yes) or disabled (No).

Make note of the identifier (ex: "{current}") for this OS (ex: "Windows 10"). You will need it for the command in step 3 below.

Enable or Disable Boot Log in Windows-boot_log_bcdedit-1.png

3 Type the command below you want to use into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

(Enable boot log)
bcdedit /set {identifier} bootlog Yes

OR

(Disable boot log - default)
bcdedit /set {identifier} bootlog No

Substitute {identifier} in the commands above with the actual identifier (ex: "{current}") from step 2 above.

For example:

bcdedit /set {current} bootlog Yes

OR

bcdedit /set {current} bootlog No

Enable or Disable Boot Log in Windows-boot_log_bcdedit-yes.png
Enable or Disable Boot Log in Windows-boot_log_bcdedit-no.png

4 When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt in Windows, or restart the computer if you used a command prompt at boot.


That's it,
Shawn


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