Can anyone tell me how to stop certain programs from automatically starting up at startup?

Answer 1

Click Start > Run and type "msconfig" at the prompt. Click the Startup tab and look at all that junk that loads when you launch your PC. Do you really need "Adobe Reader Speed Launch"? Probably not. Turn off anything else that looks useless, but be careful not to disable your anti-virus and important system components.

Also make sure your startup folder in your start menu is empty.

Answer 2

Many programs can be stopped individually from loading by using their options - most IM tools, for instance. This is the safest way to reduce the number of things that load at startup Also, check the startup folder for your user and for All Users. You can do this with a right click on your start button>explore. Now navigate to the C: drive > Documents and Settings. You should see a list of user names here and a folder called "All Users." Under each of these folders, you need to navigate to Start Menu > Programs > Startup. Delete anything that you know you do not need. Do not delete any antivirus or antispyware programs. Also, do not delete things from the All Users startup folder unless you are the primary user and no one else relies on those programs at startup. If you do not recognize the program, search for its name on google. You should be able to find information on whether or not it is necessary.

Another way to test individual programs is the msconfig option that has been given here. You cannot, however, delete anything by using msconfig, you can only disable it, and you will get an error message every time your computer starts.

A better option is Computer Management. It gives a real name to each process and a detailed description of what the process does. Go to the Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance (in category view only, otherwise skip to...) > Administrative Tools > Computer Management. From here you want to select Services and Applications > Services. Now you can right click on any individual process that is set to startup automatically, select properties, and change it's "startup type" to manual. WARNING: Do not disable any items unless you know what you are doing. This will make them unavailable even if you click on the shortcut. Also, do not change anything to manual that your computer needs to boot Windows (Net Logon for instance). Although it will probably just revert to automatic on the next startup, it is better to not risk this.

Finally, you have the option of using Hijackthis. Hijackthis is a powerful tool that should only be used in the hands of someone familiar with all of the processes. However, if you would like to learn from your mistakes, it is a free download. I would suggest not learning from your mistakes with Hijackthis, however, or you will quickly find yourself in need of a system restore or Windows re-install. Good luck regardless.

Answer 3

hi

you can go to run then type msconfig and go to Tab STARTUP

that lists all the programs that are running on your Pc during startup

Be careful what you disable though cos some things need to run during startup

if you are unsure about something expand the "command" section and the end of the file name - just google it and it will tell you exactly what it is and does.

hope that helps

john

Answer 4

Click Start, Programs, Startup. Move the mouse over the progams that you want to stop from loading, right click and select delete.

If something starts which is not in your startup list. Run that program. Look for options or prefrences and uncheck load at startup. I can't be more specfic because I don't know which programs you want to stop at startup..

take care

Answer 5

from the Run command line, type in 'msconfig' and {enter}.

Startup is last tab on Win XP machines. [Don't know on Vista -- won't try it, too buggy.}

Most of the garbage is likely near the bottom of the list. you may need a website to help you figure out what some of them are [google for this]


GL

Answer 6

Click your start button. Find the run command. In the run command type in msconfig. Once running this program find the tab that says starup. Uncheck any programs you do not want starting. I By the way will not let it start any programs for me.

Answer 7

Click START ~ RUN ~ type in msconfig and then delete any programmes you do not want to run at start up.
Be warned however that you will get an error message every time you turn the computer on.

Answer 8

Exactly as Shane said but be careful not to disable something you don't know. This can cripple your system and even stop your system from reaching the net. I use CCleaner for this type of stuff. It has an easier info system than msconfig.

Answer 9

Click on "Start" then "Run" then type msconfig select the "Start up" tab and review the programs that start with Windows. You can stop any you don't need

Answer 10

remove them from system tray (right hand bottom corner)