What's the best way to see what programs are starting up automatically when I turn on my computer?

Question

My computer is taking forever to start up and I am wondering if its because there are loads of programs that are starting up in the background when I turn it on. I was wondering if there was a way to see what is auto launching.

Sorry, forgot to mention, I am on Windows XP.

Answer 1

Use Windows Defender (free download). It has a page that will both tell you what runs at startup, whether it is safe and will let you disable it.

MSCONFIG will only let you disable for an abnormal boot - not a normal boot.

Answer 2

Uhm, i need to know what OS you're on, but since over 90% use windows xp, i'll assume that...

Alot of programs that slow down start up are any anti-virus like mcafee and nortorn(thsoe are the prime suspects) or anything related to them, also in order from worst startup messenger programs to last, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, AIM, and xfire...

Those are usually the worst things at startup, if youre on a dell the dell help center takes awhile to start up as well,

if you're on vista, google desktop often takes awhile to start up, depending on the specs of course...

If your computer is old, like 2003ish, i'd suggest getting a new one, if you want prebuilt i'd go with dell, or get a mac :D, but you could always upgrade your RAM or processor.. but if you upgrade your ram, what i would suggest doing is opening up your side panel on the computer(MAKE SURE IT IS TURNED OFF!!!) and look at the very long (probably) green sticks that are kinda in the center of the motherboard, look for someting that says SDRAM, DDR_I DDR_II etc, then after you've confirmed the RAM type, look for some RAM on newegg, i'd suggest atleast a one gig stick of ram, if youre a gamer i'd suggest 2 1 gigs, but also the motherboard only allows so much RAM, so 2 512 sticks would be preferred if you got your computer 2004 or under...

Answer 3

Program called msconfig. so get to...
start
run...
msconfig

This gives you teh system configeration. The end tab is 'startup'. My computor starts 37 progarms, a lot of these are system programs and it wouldn't run properly without them.

If the long start up is new make sure your virus scanner is up to date. When my freinds bring laptops here i usually find a virus or two on them; they have MacAffe and simlar. I use AVG, the free edition.
After that defrag your discs; they sometimes benefit even when windows dosen't think they need it.
If none of that helps then check all your drivers. It might be worth uninstalling all your drivers and putting int he latest ones. Old hardware drivers and conflicting drivers slow things down alot.

Every year i back up my data and format my C drive as well used software becomes corrupt over time.

Answer 4

Go to your start menu.
Go to Run.
Type in MSConfig and hit enter.
Go to the tab that says "Startup".
There will be a listing of everything that starts up automatically when you boot the computer.
You can uncheck that program and hit "OK" to disable the automatic startup.
You can also go through that list, find the programs, and disable the automatic startup feature on the individual programs if you'd like.

Answer 5

I recommend the use of the Windows startup manager 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

hi. click on "initiate> Run> " and enter msconfig into the field, then enter. this might open a window. click on Startup and uncheck the courses you do not choose to start. click ok ok and reboot. you will get a warning window. forget approximately approximately this till you're beneficial you like the way it works. next bootup in simple terms click the "do not tutor" field. reliable success.

Answer 7

You can go to Start then click on run then type in msconfig and then the System Configuration Utility will pop up then click the startup tab to see what's running on your computer when you boot it up.

Answer 8

As others suggested before me, the msconfig and Microsoft's Defender are pretty good and straightfoward methods, but the best one for me - as it also helps you "investigate what applications, processes, services, modules, drivers and IP connections are running" - is the Freeware "What's Running".
For reviews and downloads click here: http://www.download.com/What-s-Running/3000-2094_4-10526910.html

Answer 9

Take a look inside your starup folder all programes will be located in their. The more programes you have the longer it takes to load up.

Answer 10

Check your system tray after your computer starts. The system tray displays the programs those starting with your computer. You can change their settings to let them start or not with your computer.