Upon starting computer, what do I do to prevent programs from auto starting and having icons on the task bar?

Question

When I start up my computer, certain programs automatically start and leave icons on my task bar. I have to close them from there. I do not want any programs automatically starting. I want to open them as and if I need them. What can I do to set my computer up so that no programs start up automatically?

Thanks everyone. Special thanks to Elo and Ritabird1. I was going to run and typing config instead of msconfig. I now know how to select individual programs or all of them. It worked. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

go to run and type msconfig
From the startup-
click disble all
apply
Restart
Now every program at startupis gone

Answer 2

Check your Startup Folder:
Start->All Programs->Startup
If there's any in there, make a new folder named Startup Disabled and place them in there.

Second go to Start -> Run -> msconfig then the ok button. The System Configuration Utility dialog box will now show up.
Select the Startup Tab (farthest right). Deselect the programs that you don't want starting up automatically.
Be carefull though not to monkey around to much. Test and remove one at a time. Look for one's that might be similar to the ones you don't want starting up.

Answer 3

Okay, here's a list of what you can do.

1) go into the start menu and click "Start-up", delete whatever is in this folder, unless it is a program you want to run on start up.
2) If AIM is a problem, go into it's program preferrences and turn automatic sign-on, off
3) if you are not the "main user" (i'm not sure of the correct term) of your computer, go into their start menu, and delete the shortcuts in their "Start-up" folder

If programs continue to open at start up
1) manually go into each programs preferrences and turn off automatic start up
2) if that didn't work download a program called "Spybot- Search & Destroy", because you likely have spyware on your machine

If all else fails, read the contents of this page
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10165_7-5554402-1.html
(Go to where it says "Using the System configuration utility")
it shows you how to delete certain programs at start-up. BEWARE! you can mess up your machine if you delete certain processes with this method!

Best of Luck
Matt

Answer 4

stunning-click on the taskbar and choose residences from the pop-up menu. this might exhibit the TaskBar and status Menu residences communique field. next, interior the Notification section section verify (decide on) the alternative conceal inactive icons. click the word button. The curson icon might replace to hourglass. look ahead to the cursor pointer to alter to arrow. click the ok button. this could supply help to hold the notification are uncluttered.

Answer 5

Be very careful but do a run...msconfig ...and go to start up processes and unclick the porgrams you don't want to autostart!

Answer 6

firstly open the programs and see if they have option to not start and then if they don't goto START/run and type regedit.
from there choose
HKEY_CURRENTUSER\SOFTWARE\
MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\
CURRENTVERSION\RUN

and delete anything you don't want to start also repeat at

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\
MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\
CURRENTVERSION\RUN

this will stop them starting at boot up. Carefull what you delete.

Answer 7

PROBLEM SOLVED!