How to use MSCONFIG?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jkneese
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jkneese

Would one of you kind-hearted MVPs please write step-by-step instructions
for using MSCONFIG to remove programs from the start-up list? My new
computer came with several vendor-installed apps that I don't want to run at
start-up, but don't want to remove from the HDD..

Thanks for any help!
jkneese
 
jkneese said:
Would one of you kind-hearted MVPs please write step-by-step
instructions for using MSCONFIG to remove programs from the
start-up list? My new computer came with several vendor-installed
apps that I don't want to run at start-up, but don't want to remove
from the HDD.
Click to expand...

To me MSCONFIG is a tool to see what applications are starting up when your
computer does (and/or you logon) - amongst other things it does. While you
can uncheck things from MSCONFIG StartupTab - I think you should just use it
as a reference so you know what things are starting and how they are
starting (STARTUP folder, registry RUN key, service, etc.)

You should always first open the options of the actual program to see if
there is a way of disabling automatic startup via the application itself.
If there is not - use the reference from MSCONFIG to go to the location
where said application runs from (registry, startup folder, services, etc)
and remove/change its settings there. After that - usually unnecessary but
if you will never use the application again - there is always
uninstallation.
 
jkneese said:
Would one of you kind-hearted MVPs please write step-by-step instructions
for using MSCONFIG to remove programs from the start-up list? My new
computer came with several vendor-installed apps that I don't want to run
at start-up, but don't want to remove from the HDD..

Thanks for any help!
jkneese
Click to expand...

I'll echo Shenan's advice about checking the application first. Look for a
menu listing such as Preferences or Options. Often you'll see a setting that
launches the app @ startup. Disable this setting and see what happens.

Moving on, I stopped using Msconfig to disable startup programs a long time
ago. I now rely on this program from Microsoft.

Autoruns for Windows v9.53
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

Click on the Logon tab and find the program whose startup option you want to
disable. Remove the check mark from the box next to it, close Autoruns, and
restart your computer. If you see the desired results you can go back into
Autoruns and delete the entry.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
jkneese said:
Would one of you kind-hearted MVPs please write step-by-step instructions
for using MSCONFIG to remove programs from the start-up list? My new
computer came with several vendor-installed apps that I don't want to run at
start-up, but don't want to remove from the HDD..

Thanks for any help!
jkneese
Click to expand...


Remember, MSConfig was designed to be a troubleshooting tool, not a
"startup configurer." Use MSConfig to determine the location of the
command that is attempting to start the program, and remove it. To
cease the selective startup notifications, either return your settings
to the way they were, or permanently remove the undesirable programs
from your startup configuration.

In most cases, with "well-mannered" applications, it's usually as
simple as opening the undesired program and deselecting the option to
"display icon in the system tray" or to "start when Windows starts."

Additionally, Look in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Start Up and C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start
Menu\Programs\Start Up folders, and in the system registry, primarily in
the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run keys.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310560


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
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