where can i find out what all the files in msconfig are?

Question

Is there a book? I want to know what has to be running on my lap top and what i can delete or move. All the file names and extentions seem impossible to know what they do why they are there.... The Commodore and Amiga computers were so much more user friendly. I miss the file system from my old Amiga.........

Answer 1

msconfig is a bit cryptic. One way, and it's quite tedious, it to do a search on the file name using Start > Search

If the file name is stuff.exe simply search for that file name and you will see where it is located. e.g. C:\Program Files\Fun Games that will tell you that it is in a game.

OR try this. This is much better than msconfig and it will give you the Program Name and the path to it. It's called Autoruns and it's now available from Microsoft.
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Another major cause of a slow PC is programs that are running in the background. Here's another really good Microsoft tool. It’s called Autoruns and it was written by SysInternals who were recently bought up by Microsoft.

Before you download the program create a folder under program files called Autoruns. Leave Windows Explore open.

Launch Internet Explored and go to the following Microsoft web page.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/autoruns.mspx

Go to the bottom of the page and download the Autoruns program. After it downloads open the file. It is a Zip file. Unzip the file and you will see 4 files. Drag and drop those 4 files to the Autoruns folder you created under Program Files.

Once you have the 4 files in the C:\Program Files\Autoruns folder you can double click on the file titled “autoruns”.

This will bring up a window with several tabs at the top. Click on the “Logon” tab. It will list the programs that are running on your PC and eating up resources. Look them over carefully and turn off any that don’t absolutely have to be running. Simply click on the “check mark” in the little box beside the program name. Clicking on it will remove the check mark. Once you have edited the Startup list, click on Apply and then on OK.
NOTE: Leave items that show Windows; System 32; Program Files; etc. alone. Shutting them off may cause some things not to work.

Once you have exited the window, reboot your PC for the settings to take effect.

WARNING: Don’t go into the other tabs and start deleting things. You will probably give yourself major headaches if you do that. Stay focused on the “Logon” List only.

Answer 2

msconfig -startup is what your talking about I assume. Everything is listed here could be un-checked if you would like, but their is some items that shouldn't be. Any antivirus should be left alone, if you see symantec or mcafee then thats your antivirus. If you do, uncheck everything else then restart your computer and see if that's how you want it. Don't worry nothing in here that is uncecked will hurt your computer or not make it start up. These are just PROGRAMS that start up with the computer that take up valuable memory space. You will notice after your done unchecking and click apply and restart your icons by the clock will be gone, this means they aren't loaded which is fine unless you want them there.

Answer 3

lol @ ^


The easiest way would be to follow the first answerers suggestion and google them.

Answer 4

There is an on-line resource called "google"

http://www.google.com/

Answer 5

I search for each one and decide what to do with it.

Answer 6

Look here:

http://www.processlibrary.com/

and then look here:

http://www.whatsrunning.net/whatsrunning/main.aspx