Confusing Message About Pressing ESC to Restart Your Computer During Windows XP Setup (301262)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional

This article was previously published under Q301262

SYMPTOMS

When your computer prepares to restart for the first time at the end of the first phase of Windows XP Setup (Winnt32.exe), you receive the following message that indicates that your computer will be restarted:

Setup will now restart the computer, to restart manually, press the ESC key.

If you press ESC when you receive the preceding message, you receive a warning message that indicates that you are aborting Setup, and this portion of Setup will be exited to allow you to save files, quit programs and so on, and then you would need to manually restart your computer to continue Setup.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

The message that indicates that you are aborting Setup and that is described in the "Symptoms" section of this article may be confusing. Although you may want to only immediately restart your computer while the timer is displayed, pressing ESC does not immediately restart your computer. After you press ESC, your computer continues to run so that you can save open files, quit programs, or complete other activities before you manually restart your computer. If you do not need to complete any other activities and you want to immediately restart your computer while the timer is displayed, press ENTER. After you press ENTER, your computer restarts, and Setup continues.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/27/2002
Keywords:kbprb kbsetup KB301262