diff --git a/cmd/admin-rpc-client.go b/cmd/admin-rpc-client.go
index 9241731e1..a1a482878 100644
--- a/cmd/admin-rpc-client.go
+++ b/cmd/admin-rpc-client.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ package cmd
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
+	"fmt"
 	"net/url"
 	"os"
 	"path"
@@ -176,20 +177,12 @@ func (rc remoteAdminClient) WriteTmpConfig(tmpFileName string, configBytes []byt
 // CommitConfig - Move the new config in tmpFileName onto config.json
 // on a local node.
 func (lc localAdminClient) CommitConfig(tmpFileName string) error {
-	configDir, err := getConfigPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		errorIf(err, "Failed to get config directory path.")
-		return err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
+	tmpConfigFile := filepath.Join(getConfigDir(), tmpFileName)
 
-	configFilePath := filepath.Join(configDir, globalMinioConfigFile)
-	err = os.Rename(filepath.Join(configDir, tmpFileName), configFilePath)
-	if err != nil {
-		errorIf(err, "Failed to rename to config.json")
-		return err
-	}
-
-	return nil
+	err := os.Rename(tmpConfigFile, configFile)
+	errorIf(err, fmt.Sprintf("Failed to rename %s to %s", tmpConfigFile, configFile))
+	return err
 }
 
 // CommitConfig - Move the new config in tmpFileName onto config.json
diff --git a/cmd/admin-rpc-server.go b/cmd/admin-rpc-server.go
index 6109b9c43..855044a64 100644
--- a/cmd/admin-rpc-server.go
+++ b/cmd/admin-rpc-server.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ package cmd
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
+	"fmt"
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"net/rpc"
 	"os"
@@ -175,17 +176,9 @@ type WriteConfigReply struct {
 }
 
 func writeTmpConfigCommon(tmpFileName string, configBytes []byte) error {
-	configDir, err := getConfigPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		errorIf(err, "Failed to get config path")
-		return err
-	}
-
-	err = ioutil.WriteFile(filepath.Join(configDir, tmpFileName), configBytes, 0666)
-	if err != nil {
-		errorIf(err, "Failed to write to temporary config file.")
-		return err
-	}
+	tmpConfigFile := filepath.Join(getConfigDir(), tmpFileName)
+	err := ioutil.WriteFile(tmpConfigFile, configBytes, 0666)
+	errorIf(err, fmt.Sprintf("Failed to write to temporary config file %s", tmpConfigFile))
 	return err
 }
 
@@ -214,20 +207,12 @@ type CommitConfigReply struct {
 
 // CommitConfig - Renames the temporary file into config.json on this node.
 func (s *adminCmd) CommitConfig(cArgs *CommitConfigArgs, cReply *CommitConfigReply) error {
-	configDir, err := getConfigPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		errorIf(err, "Failed to get config path.")
-		return err
-	}
-
-	configFilePath := filepath.Join(configDir, globalMinioConfigFile)
-	err = os.Rename(filepath.Join(configDir, cArgs.FileName), configFilePath)
-	if err != nil {
-		errorIf(err, "Failed to rename config file.")
-		return err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
+	tmpConfigFile := filepath.Join(getConfigDir(), cArgs.FileName)
 
-	return nil
+	err := os.Rename(tmpConfigFile, configFile)
+	errorIf(err, fmt.Sprintf("Failed to rename %s to %s", tmpConfigFile, configFile))
+	return err
 }
 
 // registerAdminRPCRouter - registers RPC methods for service status,
diff --git a/cmd/certs.go b/cmd/certs.go
index ce24bf37f..4c8311122 100644
--- a/cmd/certs.go
+++ b/cmd/certs.go
@@ -21,90 +21,62 @@ import (
 	"encoding/pem"
 	"errors"
 	"io/ioutil"
-	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 )
 
-// createCertsPath create certs path.
-func createCertsPath() error {
-	certsPath, err := getCertsPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(certsPath, 0700); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	rootCAsPath := filepath.Join(certsPath, globalMinioCertsCADir)
-	return os.MkdirAll(rootCAsPath, 0700)
-}
-
 // getCertsPath get certs path.
-func getCertsPath() (string, error) {
-	var certsPath string
-	configDir, err := getConfigPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	certsPath = filepath.Join(configDir, globalMinioCertsDir)
-	return certsPath, nil
+func getCertsPath() string {
+	return filepath.Join(getConfigDir(), globalMinioCertsDir)
 }
 
-// mustGetCertsPath must get certs path.
-func mustGetCertsPath() string {
-	certsPath, err := getCertsPath()
-	fatalIf(err, "Failed to get certificate path.")
-	return certsPath
+// getCertFile must get cert file.
+func getCertFile() string {
+	return filepath.Join(getCertsPath(), globalMinioCertFile)
 }
 
-// mustGetCertFile must get cert file.
-func mustGetCertFile() string {
-	return filepath.Join(mustGetCertsPath(), globalMinioCertFile)
+// getKeyFile must get key file.
+func getKeyFile() string {
+	return filepath.Join(getCertsPath(), globalMinioKeyFile)
 }
 
-// mustGetKeyFile must get key file.
-func mustGetKeyFile() string {
-	return filepath.Join(mustGetCertsPath(), globalMinioKeyFile)
+// createCertsPath create certs path.
+func createCertsPath() error {
+	rootCAsPath := filepath.Join(getCertsPath(), globalMinioCertsCADir)
+	return mkdirAll(rootCAsPath, 0700)
 }
 
-// mustGetCAFiles must get the list of the CA certificates stored in minio config dir
-func mustGetCAFiles() (caCerts []string) {
-	CAsDir := filepath.Join(mustGetCertsPath(), globalMinioCertsCADir)
-	caFiles, _ := ioutil.ReadDir(CAsDir)
-	for _, cert := range caFiles {
-		caCerts = append(caCerts, filepath.Join(CAsDir, cert.Name()))
+// getCAFiles must get the list of the CA certificates stored in minio config dir
+func getCAFiles() (caCerts []string) {
+	CAsDir := filepath.Join(getCertsPath(), globalMinioCertsCADir)
+	if caFiles, err := ioutil.ReadDir(CAsDir); err == nil {
+		// Ignore any error.
+		for _, cert := range caFiles {
+			caCerts = append(caCerts, filepath.Join(CAsDir, cert.Name()))
+		}
 	}
-	return
+	return caCerts
 }
 
-// mustGetSystemCertPool returns empty cert pool in case of error (windows)
-func mustGetSystemCertPool() *x509.CertPool {
+// getSystemCertPool returns empty cert pool in case of error (windows)
+func getSystemCertPool() *x509.CertPool {
 	pool, err := x509.SystemCertPool()
 	if err != nil {
-		return x509.NewCertPool()
+		pool = x509.NewCertPool()
 	}
+
 	return pool
 }
 
 // isCertFileExists verifies if cert file exists, returns true if
 // found, false otherwise.
 func isCertFileExists() bool {
-	st, e := os.Stat(filepath.Join(mustGetCertsPath(), globalMinioCertFile))
-	// If file exists and is regular return true.
-	if e == nil && st.Mode().IsRegular() {
-		return true
-	}
-	return false
+	return isFile(getCertFile())
 }
 
 // isKeyFileExists verifies if key file exists, returns true if found,
 // false otherwise.
 func isKeyFileExists() bool {
-	st, e := os.Stat(filepath.Join(mustGetCertsPath(), globalMinioKeyFile))
-	// If file exists and is regular return true.
-	if e == nil && st.Mode().IsRegular() {
-		return true
-	}
-	return false
+	return isFile(getKeyFile())
 }
 
 // isSSL - returns true with both cert and key exists.
@@ -114,7 +86,7 @@ func isSSL() bool {
 
 // Reads certificated file and returns a list of parsed certificates.
 func readCertificateChain() ([]*x509.Certificate, error) {
-	bytes, err := ioutil.ReadFile(mustGetCertFile())
+	bytes, err := ioutil.ReadFile(getCertFile())
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -149,12 +121,12 @@ func parseCertificateChain(bytes []byte) ([]*x509.Certificate, error) {
 // loadRootCAs fetches CA files provided in minio config and adds them to globalRootCAs
 // Currently under Windows, there is no way to load system + user CAs at the same time
 func loadRootCAs() {
-	caFiles := mustGetCAFiles()
+	caFiles := getCAFiles()
 	if len(caFiles) == 0 {
 		return
 	}
 	// Get system cert pool, and empty cert pool under Windows because it is not supported
-	globalRootCAs = mustGetSystemCertPool()
+	globalRootCAs = getSystemCertPool()
 	// Load custom root CAs for client requests
 	for _, caFile := range caFiles {
 		caCert, err := ioutil.ReadFile(caFile)
diff --git a/cmd/certs_test.go b/cmd/certs_test.go
index a68f8176e..5d8c649a9 100644
--- a/cmd/certs_test.go
+++ b/cmd/certs_test.go
@@ -25,10 +25,7 @@ import (
 
 // Make sure we have a valid certs path.
 func TestGetCertsPath(t *testing.T) {
-	path, err := getCertsPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Error(err)
-	}
+	path := getCertsPath()
 	if path == "" {
 		t.Errorf("expected path to not be an empty string, got: '%s'", path)
 	}
@@ -42,18 +39,18 @@ func TestGetCertsPath(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// This will error if something goes wrong, so just call it.
-	mustGetCertsPath()
+	getCertsPath()
 }
 
 // Ensure that the certificate and key file getters contain their respective
 // file name and endings.
 func TestGetFiles(t *testing.T) {
-	file := mustGetCertFile()
+	file := getCertFile()
 	if !strings.Contains(file, globalMinioCertFile) {
 		t.Errorf("CertFile does not contain %s", globalMinioCertFile)
 	}
 
-	file = mustGetKeyFile()
+	file = getKeyFile()
 	if !strings.Contains(file, globalMinioKeyFile) {
 		t.Errorf("KeyFile does not contain %s", globalMinioKeyFile)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/config-migrate.go b/cmd/config-migrate.go
index e38d1bf4c..e45bdfae5 100644
--- a/cmd/config-migrate.go
+++ b/cmd/config-migrate.go
@@ -94,15 +94,10 @@ func purgeV1() error {
 	}
 
 	if cv1.Version == "1" {
-		console.Println("Removed unsupported config version ‘1’.")
-		/// Purge old fsUsers.json file
-		configPath, err := getConfigPath()
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Unable to retrieve config path. %v", err)
-		}
-
-		configFile := filepath.Join(configPath, "fsUsers.json")
+		// Purge old fsUsers.json file
+		configFile := filepath.Join(getConfigDir(), "fsUsers.json")
 		removeAll(configFile)
+		console.Println("Removed unsupported config version ‘1’.")
 		return nil
 	}
 	return fmt.Errorf("Failed to migrate unrecognized config version ‘" + cv1.Version + "’.")
@@ -158,12 +153,7 @@ func migrateV2ToV3() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize config. %v", err)
 	}
 
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
-
-	// Migrate the config.
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to migrate config from ‘"+cv2.Version+"’ to ‘"+srvConfig.Version+"’ failed. %v", err)
@@ -205,11 +195,8 @@ func migrateV3ToV4() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v", err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to migrate config from ‘"+cv3.Version+"’ to ‘"+srvConfig.Version+"’ failed. %v", err)
@@ -254,11 +241,8 @@ func migrateV4ToV5() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v", err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to migrate config from ‘"+cv4.Version+"’ to ‘"+srvConfig.Version+"’ failed. %v", err)
@@ -330,11 +314,8 @@ func migrateV5ToV6() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v", err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to migrate config from ‘"+cv5.Version+"’ to ‘"+srvConfig.Version+"’ failed. %v", err)
@@ -394,11 +375,8 @@ func migrateV6ToV7() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v", err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to migrate config from ‘"+cv6.Version+"’ to ‘"+srvConfig.Version+"’ failed. %v", err)
@@ -465,11 +443,8 @@ func migrateV7ToV8() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v", err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to migrate config from ‘"+cv7.Version+"’ to ‘"+srvConfig.Version+"’ failed. %v", err)
@@ -544,11 +519,8 @@ func migrateV8ToV9() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v",
 			err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf(
@@ -629,11 +601,8 @@ func migrateV9ToV10() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v",
 			err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf(
@@ -717,11 +686,8 @@ func migrateV10ToV11() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v",
 			err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf(
@@ -823,11 +789,8 @@ func migrateV11ToV12() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v",
 			err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf(
@@ -920,11 +883,8 @@ func migrateV12ToV13() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v",
 			err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf(
@@ -1022,11 +982,8 @@ func migrateV13ToV14() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to initialize the quick config. %v",
 			err)
 	}
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to get config file. %v", err)
-	}
 
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	err = qc.Save(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf(
diff --git a/cmd/config-migrate_test.go b/cmd/config-migrate_test.go
index c35b2ef89..359936be3 100644
--- a/cmd/config-migrate_test.go
+++ b/cmd/config-migrate_test.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func TestServerConfigMigrateV1(t *testing.T) {
 	// remove the root directory after the test ends.
 	defer removeAll(rootPath)
 
-	setGlobalConfigPath(rootPath)
+	setConfigDir(rootPath)
 
 	// Create a V1 config json file and store it
 	configJSON := "{ \"version\":\"1\", \"accessKeyId\":\"abcde\", \"secretAccessKey\":\"abcdefgh\"}"
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func TestServerConfigMigrateInexistentConfig(t *testing.T) {
 	// remove the root directory after the test ends.
 	defer removeAll(rootPath)
 
-	setGlobalConfigPath(rootPath)
+	setConfigDir(rootPath)
 	configPath := rootPath + "/" + globalMinioConfigFile
 
 	// Remove config file
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ func TestServerConfigMigrateV2toV14(t *testing.T) {
 	// remove the root directory after the test ends.
 	defer removeAll(rootPath)
 
-	setGlobalConfigPath(rootPath)
+	setConfigDir(rootPath)
 	configPath := rootPath + "/" + globalMinioConfigFile
 
 	// Create a corrupted config file
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ func TestServerConfigMigrateFaultyConfig(t *testing.T) {
 	// remove the root directory after the test ends.
 	defer removeAll(rootPath)
 
-	setGlobalConfigPath(rootPath)
+	setConfigDir(rootPath)
 	configPath := rootPath + "/" + globalMinioConfigFile
 
 	// Create a corrupted config file
diff --git a/cmd/config-old.go b/cmd/config-old.go
index d8fa5867f..7f65003e3 100644
--- a/cmd/config-old.go
+++ b/cmd/config-old.go
@@ -50,11 +50,7 @@ type configV1 struct {
 
 // loadConfigV1 load config
 func loadConfigV1() (*configV1, error) {
-	configPath, err := getConfigPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	configFile := filepath.Join(configPath, "fsUsers.json")
+	configFile := filepath.Join(getConfigDir(), "fsUsers.json")
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &configV1{Version: "1"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -86,10 +82,7 @@ type configV2 struct {
 
 // loadConfigV2 load config version '2'.
 func loadConfigV2() (*configV2, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &configV2{Version: "2"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -152,10 +145,7 @@ type configV3 struct {
 
 // loadConfigV3 load config version '3'.
 func loadConfigV3() (*configV3, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &configV3{Version: "3"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -195,10 +185,7 @@ type configV4 struct {
 
 // loadConfigV4 load config version '4'.
 func loadConfigV4() (*configV4, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &configV4{Version: "4"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -265,10 +252,7 @@ type configV5 struct {
 
 // loadConfigV5 load config version '5'.
 func loadConfigV5() (*configV5, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &configV5{Version: "5"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -299,10 +283,7 @@ type configV6 struct {
 
 // loadConfigV6 load config version '6'.
 func loadConfigV6() (*configV6, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &configV6{Version: "6"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -352,10 +333,7 @@ type serverConfigV7 struct {
 
 // loadConfigV7 load config version '7'.
 func loadConfigV7() (*serverConfigV7, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &serverConfigV7{Version: "7"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -384,10 +362,7 @@ type serverConfigV8 struct {
 
 // loadConfigV8 load config version '8'.
 func loadConfigV8() (*serverConfigV8, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &serverConfigV8{Version: "8"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -415,10 +390,7 @@ type serverConfigV9 struct {
 }
 
 func loadConfigV9() (*serverConfigV9, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &serverConfigV9{Version: "9"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -444,10 +416,7 @@ type serverConfigV10 struct {
 }
 
 func loadConfigV10() (*serverConfigV10, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &serverConfigV10{Version: "10"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -484,10 +453,7 @@ type serverConfigV11 struct {
 }
 
 func loadConfigV11() (*serverConfigV11, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &serverConfigV11{Version: "11"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -512,10 +478,7 @@ type serverConfigV12 struct {
 }
 
 func loadConfigV12() (*serverConfigV12, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &serverConfigV12{Version: "12"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -540,10 +503,7 @@ type serverConfigV13 struct {
 }
 
 func loadConfigV13() (*serverConfigV13, error) {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 	config, err := loadOldConfig(configFile, &serverConfigV13{Version: "13"})
 	if config == nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/cmd/config-v14.go b/cmd/config-v14.go
index fa4e3b0b3..14ae16725 100644
--- a/cmd/config-v14.go
+++ b/cmd/config-v14.go
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ func newConfig(envParams envParams) error {
 	}
 
 	// Create config path.
-	if err := createConfigPath(); err != nil {
+	if err := createConfigDir(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -116,12 +116,8 @@ func newConfig(envParams envParams) error {
 // loadConfig - loads a new config from disk, overrides params from env
 // if found and valid
 func loadConfig(envParams envParams) error {
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	if _, err = os.Stat(configFile); err != nil {
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
+	if _, err := os.Stat(configFile); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -229,10 +225,7 @@ func (s serverConfigV14) Save() error {
 	defer serverConfigMu.RUnlock()
 
 	// get config file.
-	configFile, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+	configFile := getConfigFile()
 
 	// initialize quick.
 	qc, err := quick.New(&s)
diff --git a/cmd/config-v14_test.go b/cmd/config-v14_test.go
index 63f0c4ebd..d3ca1aba4 100644
--- a/cmd/config-v14_test.go
+++ b/cmd/config-v14_test.go
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func TestServerConfig(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Do this only once here.
-	setGlobalConfigPath(rootPath)
+	setConfigDir(rootPath)
 
 	// Initialize server config.
 	if err := loadConfig(envParams{}); err != nil {
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ func TestServerConfigWithEnvs(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Do this only once here.
-	setGlobalConfigPath(rootPath)
+	setConfigDir(rootPath)
 
 	// Init config
 	initConfig()
diff --git a/cmd/config.go b/cmd/config.go
index 618bc2388..59dd831ab 100644
--- a/cmd/config.go
+++ b/cmd/config.go
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Minio Cloud Storage, (C) 2015, 2016 Minio, Inc.
+ * Minio Cloud Storage, (C) 2015, 2016, 2017 Minio, Inc.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -17,77 +17,62 @@
 package cmd
 
 import (
-	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sync"
 
-	"github.com/minio/go-homedir"
+	homedir "github.com/minio/go-homedir"
+	"github.com/minio/mc/pkg/console"
 )
 
-// configPath for custom config path only for testing purposes
-var customConfigPath string
-var configMu sync.Mutex
+// ConfigDir - configuration directory with locking.
+type ConfigDir struct {
+	sync.Mutex
+	dir string
+}
+
+// Set - saves given directory as configuration directory.
+func (config *ConfigDir) Set(dir string) {
+	config.Lock()
+	defer config.Unlock()
 
-// Sets a new config path.
-func setGlobalConfigPath(configPath string) {
-	configMu.Lock()
-	defer configMu.Unlock()
-	customConfigPath = configPath
+	config.dir = dir
 }
 
-// getConfigPath get server config path
-func getConfigPath() (string, error) {
-	configMu.Lock()
-	defer configMu.Unlock()
+// Get - returns current configuration directory.
+func (config *ConfigDir) Get() string {
+	config.Lock()
+	defer config.Unlock()
 
-	if customConfigPath != "" {
-		return customConfigPath, nil
-	}
+	return config.dir
+}
+
+func mustGetDefaultConfigDir() string {
 	homeDir, err := homedir.Dir()
 	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
+		console.Fatalln("Unable to get home directory.", err)
 	}
-	configPath := filepath.Join(homeDir, globalMinioConfigDir)
-	return configPath, nil
+
+	return filepath.Join(homeDir, globalMinioConfigDir)
 }
 
-// mustGetConfigPath must get server config path.
-func mustGetConfigPath() string {
-	configPath, err := getConfigPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-	return configPath
+var configDir = &ConfigDir{dir: mustGetDefaultConfigDir()}
+
+func setConfigDir(dir string) {
+	configDir.Set(dir)
 }
 
-// createConfigPath create server config path.
-func createConfigPath() error {
-	configPath, err := getConfigPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	return os.MkdirAll(configPath, 0700)
+func getConfigDir() string {
+	return configDir.Get()
 }
 
-// isConfigFileExists - returns true if config file exists.
-func isConfigFileExists() bool {
-	path, err := getConfigFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return false
-	}
-	st, err := os.Stat(path)
-	// If file exists and is regular return true.
-	if err == nil && st.Mode().IsRegular() {
-		return true
-	}
-	return false
+func createConfigDir() error {
+	return mkdirAll(getConfigDir(), 0700)
 }
 
-// getConfigFile get server config file.
-func getConfigFile() (string, error) {
-	configPath, err := getConfigPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	return filepath.Join(configPath, globalMinioConfigFile), nil
+func getConfigFile() string {
+	return filepath.Join(getConfigDir(), globalMinioConfigFile)
+}
+
+func isConfigFileExists() bool {
+	return isFile(getConfigFile())
 }
diff --git a/cmd/globals.go b/cmd/globals.go
index 4017c7a81..4f04ce0e9 100644
--- a/cmd/globals.go
+++ b/cmd/globals.go
@@ -24,8 +24,6 @@ import (
 
 	humanize "github.com/dustin/go-humanize"
 	"github.com/fatih/color"
-	"github.com/minio/cli"
-	"github.com/minio/mc/pkg/console"
 )
 
 // minio configuration related constants.
@@ -60,10 +58,6 @@ const (
 )
 
 var (
-	globalQuiet     = false               // quiet flag set via command line.
-	globalConfigDir = mustGetConfigPath() // config-dir flag set via command line
-	// Add new global flags here.
-
 	// Indicates if the running minio server is distributed setup.
 	globalIsDistXL = false
 
@@ -131,20 +125,3 @@ var (
 	colorBold = color.New(color.Bold).SprintFunc()
 	colorBlue = color.New(color.FgBlue).SprintfFunc()
 )
-
-// Parse command arguments and set global variables accordingly
-func setGlobalsFromContext(c *cli.Context) {
-	// Set config dir
-	switch {
-	case c.IsSet("config-dir"):
-		globalConfigDir = c.String("config-dir")
-	case c.GlobalIsSet("config-dir"):
-		globalConfigDir = c.GlobalString("config-dir")
-	}
-	if globalConfigDir == "" {
-		console.Fatalf("Unable to get config file. Config directory is empty.")
-	}
-
-	// Set global quiet flag.
-	globalQuiet = c.Bool("quiet") || c.GlobalBool("quiet")
-}
diff --git a/cmd/main.go b/cmd/main.go
index 18d3ab20a..d31406d36 100644
--- a/cmd/main.go
+++ b/cmd/main.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ var (
 	globalFlags = []cli.Flag{
 		cli.StringFlag{
 			Name:  "config-dir, C",
-			Value: mustGetConfigPath(),
+			Value: getConfigDir(),
 			Usage: "Path to configuration directory.",
 		},
 		cli.BoolFlag{
@@ -133,26 +133,10 @@ func registerApp() *cli.App {
 	return app
 }
 
-// Verify main command syntax.
-func checkMainSyntax(c *cli.Context) {
-	configPath, err := getConfigPath()
-	if err != nil {
-		console.Fatalf("Unable to obtain user's home directory. \nError: %s\n", err)
-	}
-	if configPath == "" {
-		console.Fatalln("Config directory cannot be empty, please specify --config-dir <directoryname>.")
-	}
-}
-
 // Check for updates and print a notification message
 func checkUpdate() {
-	// Do not print update messages, if quiet flag is set.
-	if !globalQuiet {
-		older, downloadURL, err := getUpdateInfo(1 * time.Second)
-		if err != nil {
-			// Its OK to ignore any errors during getUpdateInfo() here.
-			return
-		}
+	// Its OK to ignore any errors during getUpdateInfo() here.
+	if older, downloadURL, err := getUpdateInfo(1 * time.Second); err == nil {
 		if older > time.Duration(0) {
 			console.Println(colorizeUpdateMessage(downloadURL, older))
 		}
@@ -179,7 +163,7 @@ func initConfig() {
 		if err := newConfig(envs); err != nil {
 			console.Fatalf("Unable to initialize minio config for the first time. Err: %s.\n", err)
 		}
-		console.Println("Created minio configuration file successfully at " + mustGetConfigPath())
+		console.Println("Created minio configuration file successfully at " + getConfigDir())
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -194,12 +178,6 @@ func initConfig() {
 
 // Generic Minio initialization to create/load config, prepare loggers, etc..
 func minioInit(ctx *cli.Context) {
-	// Set global variables after parsing passed arguments
-	setGlobalsFromContext(ctx)
-
-	// Sets new config directory.
-	setGlobalConfigPath(globalConfigDir)
-
 	// Is TLS configured?.
 	globalIsSSL = isSSL()
 
@@ -217,11 +195,6 @@ func minioInit(ctx *cli.Context) {
 // Main main for minio server.
 func Main(args []string, exitFn func(int)) {
 	app := registerApp()
-	app.Before = func(c *cli.Context) error {
-		// Valid input arguments to main.
-		checkMainSyntax(c)
-		return nil
-	}
 
 	// Start profiler if env is set.
 	if profiler := os.Getenv("_MINIO_PROFILER"); profiler != "" {
diff --git a/cmd/prepare-storage-msg.go b/cmd/prepare-storage-msg.go
index 445bbefca..58e4d70e1 100644
--- a/cmd/prepare-storage-msg.go
+++ b/cmd/prepare-storage-msg.go
@@ -46,9 +46,7 @@ func printOnceFn() printOnceFunc {
 	var once sync.Once
 	return func(msg string) {
 		once.Do(func() {
-			if !globalQuiet {
-				console.Println(msg)
-			}
+			console.Println(msg)
 		})
 	}
 }
diff --git a/cmd/server-main.go b/cmd/server-main.go
index 75ce32465..d06765d2c 100644
--- a/cmd/server-main.go
+++ b/cmd/server-main.go
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import (
 	"runtime"
 
 	"github.com/minio/cli"
+	"github.com/minio/mc/pkg/console"
 )
 
 var serverFlags = []cli.Flag{
@@ -358,11 +359,28 @@ func serverMain(c *cli.Context) {
 		cli.ShowCommandHelpAndExit(c, "server", 1)
 	}
 
+	// Get quiet flag from command line argument.
+	quietFlag := c.Bool("quiet") || c.GlobalBool("quiet")
+
+	// Get configuration directory from command line argument.
+	configDir := c.String("config-dir")
+	if !c.IsSet("config-dir") && c.GlobalIsSet("config-dir") {
+		configDir = c.GlobalString("config-dir")
+	}
+	if configDir == "" {
+		console.Fatalf("Configuration directory cannot be empty.")
+	}
+
+	// Set configuration directory.
+	setConfigDir(configDir)
+
 	// Initializes server config, certs, logging and system settings.
 	initServerConfig(c)
 
 	// Check for new updates from dl.minio.io.
-	checkUpdate()
+	if !quietFlag {
+		checkUpdate()
+	}
 
 	// Server address.
 	serverAddr := c.String("address")
@@ -442,7 +460,7 @@ func serverMain(c *cli.Context) {
 	go func() {
 		cert, key := "", ""
 		if globalIsSSL {
-			cert, key = mustGetCertFile(), mustGetKeyFile()
+			cert, key = getCertFile(), getKeyFile()
 		}
 		fatalIf(apiServer.ListenAndServe(cert, key), "Failed to start minio server.")
 	}()
@@ -458,7 +476,9 @@ func serverMain(c *cli.Context) {
 	globalObjLayerMutex.Unlock()
 
 	// Prints the formatted startup message once object layer is initialized.
-	printStartupMessage(apiEndPoints)
+	if !quietFlag {
+		printStartupMessage(apiEndPoints)
+	}
 
 	// Set uptime time after object layer has initialized.
 	globalBootTime = time.Now().UTC()
diff --git a/cmd/server-mux_test.go b/cmd/server-mux_test.go
index 24802abed..c7c39278e 100644
--- a/cmd/server-mux_test.go
+++ b/cmd/server-mux_test.go
@@ -358,8 +358,8 @@ func TestServerListenAndServeTLS(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	certFile := mustGetCertFile()
-	keyFile := mustGetKeyFile()
+	certFile := getCertFile()
+	keyFile := getKeyFile()
 	defer os.RemoveAll(certFile)
 	defer os.RemoveAll(keyFile)
 
@@ -420,8 +420,8 @@ func TestServerListenAndServeTLS(t *testing.T) {
 
 // generateTestCert creates a cert and a key used for testing only
 func generateTestCert(host string) error {
-	certPath := mustGetCertFile()
-	keyPath := mustGetKeyFile()
+	certPath := getCertFile()
+	keyPath := getKeyFile()
 	priv, err := rsa.GenerateKey(rand.Reader, 2048)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/cmd/server-startup-msg.go b/cmd/server-startup-msg.go
index 53718aa74..dbdecdca6 100644
--- a/cmd/server-startup-msg.go
+++ b/cmd/server-startup-msg.go
@@ -44,11 +44,6 @@ func getFormatStr(strLen int, padding int) string {
 
 // Prints the formatted startup message.
 func printStartupMessage(apiEndPoints []string) {
-	// If quiet flag is set do not print startup message.
-	if globalQuiet {
-		return
-	}
-
 	// Prints credential, region and browser access.
 	printServerCommonMsg(apiEndPoints)
 
diff --git a/cmd/test-utils_test.go b/cmd/test-utils_test.go
index 63387ef69..7d518f267 100644
--- a/cmd/test-utils_test.go
+++ b/cmd/test-utils_test.go
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ func StartTestPeersRPCServer(t TestErrHandler, instanceType string) TestServer {
 
 // Sets the global config path to empty string.
 func resetGlobalConfigPath() {
-	setGlobalConfigPath("")
+	setConfigDir("")
 }
 
 // sets globalObjectAPI to `nil`.
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ func newTestConfig(bucketLocation string) (rootPath string, err error) {
 	}
 
 	// Do this only once here.
-	setGlobalConfigPath(rootPath)
+	setConfigDir(rootPath)
 
 	// Initialize server config.
 	if err = newConfig(envParams{}); err != nil {
diff --git a/cmd/utils.go b/cmd/utils.go
index 46166147c..49657cf13 100644
--- a/cmd/utils.go
+++ b/cmd/utils.go
@@ -262,3 +262,12 @@ func getBrowserFromEnv() (string, error) {
 	globalIsEnvBrowser = true
 	return strings.ToLower(b), nil
 }
+
+// isFile - returns whether given path is a file or not.
+func isFile(path string) bool {
+	if fi, err := os.Stat(path); err == nil {
+		return fi.Mode().IsRegular()
+	}
+
+	return false
+}