How do I stop certain programs running on start up?

Question

My computer has a lot of programs running on start up that I don't really need. How do I remove them so I only have to access them from program files when needed?

I have Windows XP. I have had a look around but can't find the start up menu anywhere??

Answer 1

From the "Run" window, type in MSCONFIG and hit enter. Then click on the Start Up tab and modify what's there, one thing at a time. Make sure you know what you're disabling though.

Answer 2

Go to START-->RUn and type msconfig already stated. This is a useful tool available on Windows XP and Windows 2000. Any lower and it will not be available and you will need to make changes to the registry which I won't go into as I am assuming you are using XP. Untick programs that you don't want to run on start up and obviously reboot your PC and they won't run the next time round. To enable these programs again, enable then by ticking them. If you are unsure, leave it as a lot of programs run in the system tray as a background process. Always check the path column if you are unsure about something and it should tell you what it is or do a search on the .EXE name in google. This is the safest and easiest way to stop prgrams running on startup. However, If you have spyware the registry is the way to get rid of it

Answer 3

Follow either of the answers above if you dare, but remember that clicking on some programs may have disasterous results. If your computer fails to function after using the all too simplistic suggestions above, reboot and restart in Safe Mode. That is, when the computer starts up (maybe not Vista because it has a mind of its own), tap the F8 key until you get a DOS prompt asking which mode you wish to use. Click "Safe Mode without Networking" and you'll end up in safe mode. (A weired looking Desktop will be the key). Follow the hints above and re-tick the things you unticked. Reboot the computer. Please remember, those who walk on thin ice get their feet wet. It it was me, I'd not follow the above advice offered by others unless I was wearing my life jacket.

Answer 4

The startup folder resides in:

Start > All programs > Startup

Either that or use msconfig (run) to edit the startup file, use at your own risk though.

Answer 5

I use the program "Chameleon Startup Manager" for it.
You can find it here:
http://www.neosoft-tools.com/windows-startup-manager.htm
It disables any startup programs and fully controls startup by selecting the programs to be launched, while customizing the startup settings (ie how often and when programs should be launched, etc).

Answer 6

you can go to start--> run then type in msconfig then enter then will come out a window and then inside got few tab ..then u click on the last tab then then uncheck the tick of the software that you don,t want it open at start up then click ok...then the system will ask you want to restart or not....then after restart...the software that u don,t want it start on start up will not come out already!

Answer 7

It would help if you'd said which operating system you use...

But, in general, there will be one or more tables, folders or other areas, in which there is a list of applications to load on boot. Cull out the ones you don't want, but keep backups and notes, in case you take out something important :-)

Answer 8

Thank you for asking this question, I needed to know that too. Now if only I understood all the abbreviations I'd know what to turn off.... why cant anything in computer land be in plain English?!

Answer 9

Go into its program settings and it should have an option to check or uncheck if you want it to run at start up.

Answer 10

Assuming it's Windows XP:

Start->Run->MSCONFIG

Go to startup tab and uncheck those you don't want.