How do you remove items from your startup in Windows XP that you cant find in any start menu?

Question

I hate when I start Windows and have to use CTRL+ALT+DEL to shut down programs that I dont want running, but I cant find them in any startup menus. Whats the easiest way to have full control over what Windows runs when it boots up? The most annoying is when you use MSCONFIG and uncheck a startup item but its back again when you restart

I "starred" Atom too quickly; I need something better than Startup Mechanic; theres MANY items in my actual startup that SM did not find. Way too many programs are able to "hide" their startup placement and SM doesnt do much better of a job than MSCONFIG

Answer 1

Q: "How do you remove items from your startup in Windows XP that you cant find in any start menu?"
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Startup Mechanic is a free download at Download.com, and has worked wonderfully for me in conjunction with Spybot: Search and Destroy, for eliminating and keeping Spyware off my computer.

Not only can you remove startup items from loading during your Windows boot up, the application alerts you whenever a file WANTS to write itself to your startup sequence, enabling you to keep unwanted files from booting up to begin with.

Both applications are free downloads at Download.com: Startup Mechanic and Spybot: Search and Destroy.

Answer 2

use msconfig type it in to run off the start tab , the reason it defaults is cause of programs such as mechanic and what not i use mechanic iv turned it off and run it manually so far my last msconfig setting has lasted 3 months or so

Answer 3

CCleaner will remove start up files for up. As well as doing a lot of tidying up work.

Very good application and free.

Answer 4

i agree - scan your computer BUT ONLY IN Safe Mode good luck :)