HOW TO: Enable Verbose Startup, Shutdown, Logon, and Logoff Status Messages in the Windows Server 2003 Family

SUMMARY

This article describes how to configure Windows so that you receive verbose startup, shutdown, logon, and logoff status messages. Verbose status messages may be helpful when you are troubleshooting slow startup, shutdown, logon, or logoff behavior.

back to the top

How to Enable Verbose Startup, Shutdown, Logon, and Logoff Status Messages

You can enable verbose status messages by using Group Policy Object Editor or by editing the Windows registry.

back to the top

To Enable Verbose Status Messages by Using Group Policy Object Editor

To enable verbose status messages by using Group Policy Object Editor, use the method that is appropriate to your situation:

back to the top

In a Domain Environment

If you are in a domain environment and you want to enable verbose status messages on a group of computers, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Active Directory Users and Computers.
2. Right-click the container for the domain or the organizational unit to which you want to apply the policy settings, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Group Policy tab.
4. Click New, and then type a descriptive name for the new Group Policy object (GPO).
5. Click the new GPO that you created, and then click Edit.
6. Expand Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, and then click System.
7. In the right pane, double-click Verbose vs normal status messages.
8. Click Enabled, and then click OK.
9. Close Group Policy Object Editor, click OK, and then quit Active Directory Users and Computers.

NOTE: Windows ignores this setting if the Remove Boot / Shutdown / Logon / Logoff status messages setting is turned on.

back to the top

On a Stand-alone Computer or a Single Computer

If you are using a stand-alone computer or if you want to enable verbose status messages on only one computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
3. Expand Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, and then click System.
4. In the right pane, double-click Verbose vs normal status messages.
5. Click Enabled, and then click OK.
6. Close Group Policy Object Editor, click OK, and then quit Active Directory Users and Computers.

NOTE: Windows ignores this setting if the Remove Boot / Shutdown / Logon / Logoff status messages setting is turned on.

back to the top

To Enable Verbose Status Messages by Using Registry Editor

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To use enable verbose status messages by editing the registry, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate and then click the following registry key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

4. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
5. Type verbosestatus, and then press ENTER.
6. Double-click the new key that you created, type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
7. Quit Registry Editor.

NOTE: Windows does not display status messages if the following key is present and the value is set to 1:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableStatusMessag