The msconfig.exe tool, also known as the System Configuration utility, is a tool that allows users to modify various system settings, such as startup options, services, boot options, and more. One of the features of msconfig.exe is the ability to disable or enable device drivers that are loaded during the system startup. By using msconfig.exe, a technician can prevent a driver from being loaded and used by the system, which will allow them to uninstall it without any errors. To use msconfig.exe to disable a driver, the technician can follow these steps:
Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R.
Type msconfig.exe and press Enter.
Click on the Boot tab and then click on Advanced options.
Check the box next to No GUI boot and click OK. This will prevent the graphical user interface from loading during the boot process, which will also prevent some drivers from loading.
Click on the Services tab and check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services. This will show only the third-party services and drivers that are running on the system.
Find the service or driver that corresponds to the device that the technician wants to uninstall and uncheck the box next to it. This will disable the service or driver from starting during the system startup.
Click Apply and OK and then restart the computer.
After the computer restarts, the technician can use the Device Manager or the Control Panel to uninstall the driver that was previously in use.
[References:, How to Completely Remove/Uninstall a Driver in Windows, section 31, The Official CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Guide (220-1102), page 2212, , , , ]