Enable Verbose Boot and Shutdown Messages via Regedit

Verbose status messages replace standard Windows startup and shutdown text—such as “Welcome” or “Restarting”—with detailed diagnostic information describing each service, driver, or policy as it loads or unloads. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough on how to enable verbose boot and shutdown messages in Windows using the Registry Editor (Regedit).

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter (or click OK).
  3. Select Yes if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).

Step 2: Navigate to the System Policy Key

In the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor, paste the following path and press Enter:

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

Alternatively, use the left navigation pane to expand the folders to that location.

Step 3: Create or Modify the VerboseStatus Value

  1. Look for a DWORD (32-bit) Value named VerboseStatus in the right-hand pane.
  2. If VerboseStatus does not exist:
    • Right-click an empty space in the right pane.
    • Hover over New and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
    • Name the new value VerboseStatus and press Enter.
  3. Double-click the VerboseStatus entry to open its properties.
  4. Set the Value data field to 1.
  5. Ensure the Base is set to Hexadecimal, then click OK.

Step 4: Verify Status Messages Are Not Disabled

  1. In the same registry key, look for a value named DisableStatusMessages.
  2. If it exists, double-click it and ensure its Value data is set to 0. If it is set to 1, change it to 0 or delete the entry entirely.

Step 5: Test the Configuration

Close the Registry Editor. You do not need to restart immediately to save the changes, but on your next system restart, shutdown, or sign-in, Windows will display detailed status messages (e.g., “Applying Group Policy Computer Settings,” “Stopping Windows Update Service”).

How to Revert to Default

To disable verbose messages and return to the standard Windows screens, navigate back to the same registry key and either change the VerboseStatus value data back to 0 or right-click VerboseStatus and choose Delete.