How do I stop programs from automatically starting when I switch my pc on.(windows xp)?

Question

My pc takes ages to start because it opens programs that I rarely use,like msn messenger.I don't want to remove them completely just stop them from opening automatically.I presume I have to remove them from the start menu,but don't know how to do it.Thanks

Answer 1

go to start > run, type msconfig, you will see one of the tabs that would say something like startup... uncheck the programs that you dont want

Answer 2

There's a simple way to do this. If you have Windows, either: 1. Go to the start menu, select Run and type in 'msconfig'. 2. Hold down the windows logo key and press R, bringing up the run console, then type in 'msconfig'. This should bring you up a console entitled 'System Configuration Utility', if so you're on the right track. From here, select the tab labeled 'startup'. In the space beneath it, there's a list of programs. These are all the programs that load up when you start your PC. You can uncheck programs you don't wish to start when you load your PC, but be careful! Some of these programs are important programs by Microsoft that keep the operating system running. However, for example, I have the programs Windows Live Messenger and AVG Antivirus loading when I start the computer. As I don't need this at the start, I could uncheck them off the list by finding the appropriate file name - in this case 'avgtray' and 'msnmsgr'. Then when I restart the computer they wouldn't load. Only uncheck programs you're sure won't prevent the computer running properly though, so do so at your own risk. But as long as you're careful this can help long loadup times considerably. The tab 'Services' does a similar thing. If you want to stop certain services running then uncheck them and select apply. I'd stray clear of unchecking any Microsoft services though, as again this can prevent correct loading of the operating system. But if there are services you want to stop loading at startup just uncheck them at your own risk. Anyway hope this was of use to you.

Answer 3

Here it is step by step on how to remove them.
For Windows XP

Go into your Control Panel by first clicking on the Start Button.

Then click on the Control Panel icon located in the right column of the Start Menu.

If your Start Menu is set to the Classic View, then begin by clicking on the Start Button.

Then click on Settings, then click on the Control Panel icon to open up the Control Panel.

Now double click on the Add Remove Programs icon to display the list of all your installed programs.

Then use your mouse to scroll down this list until you see the program you want to remove.

Now highlight that program with your mouse and click on the Remove button just to the right.

Windows will then remove that program from your computer including all system files relating to it.

More often than not Windows will ask you to reboot your system after a program is un-installed.

Whether you are asked to do so or not, you should exit the application and reboot your system.

Answer 4

Go to Start, Run, then type "msconfig" in the box. it will run and select the startup tab and you will see a list of apps u can add or remove the ones u want.

Answer 5

Here's what to do wen the window comes up,just push Ctrl+shift+p on the keyboard all at the same time and at the top of the window you should see Preferences then go to general or options and you should find Automatically open the window when I star up the Computer! and push the box beside it!

Answer 6

remove a few programs from the startup

Answer 7

use autoruns - it's free and lists all the programmes that start with windows
no need to install
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/AutoRuns/autoruns.html

select the logon tab and remove the tick from the programmes you don't require; avoid removing any essential programme!
See here
http://www.pixfolder.com/images/7270.jpg

Answer 8

almost every application has a way to turn it off at startup in its options/preferences .... i find it unecessary to use msconfig myself ...