Removing programs from startup

  • Thread starter Thread starter johnd
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johnd

When install certain programs they automatically set
themselves to open at startup. How do you remove certain
programs from startup? I use windows xp. Thanks
Johnd
 
johnd said:
When install certain programs they automatically set
themselves to open at startup. How do you remove certain
programs from startup?
Click to expand...

Applications that start with Windows can be found here:
- the WIN.INI, section [windows], entries "run=" and "load="
- the Registry keys
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
- the folders
C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\STARTUP
C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\{username}\START MENU\PROGRAMS\STARTUP
You can test the settings at first. See "How to Troubleshoot By Using
the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310560) for details.
 
Here's how to prevent programs from starting with Windows XP (presented in
'best idea to worst idea' order):

1. Open the program and search through its menus to find the program's
configuration options (sometimes called 'preferences'.) You'll often see an
option to start or not to start the program with Windows.

2. Open the Start menu's Startup folder (Start > All Programs > Startup.)
This folder contains shortcuts to programs that start with Windows. Delete
the shortcut of any program that you don't wish to start with Windows.

3. Visit the technical support section of the software author's web site and
look for advice on how to prevent the program from starting with Windows, or
contact its technical support group via e-mail and ask for advice.

4. Uninstall the program. If the program won't uninstall (properly or at
all) then go back to the technical support section of the software author's
web site and look for advice on how to uninstall the program, or contact its
technical support group via e-mail and ask for advice.

5. Manually remove all the program's files and registry entries. This is
risky, and not recommended. You can't be sure that you have eliminated every
piece of the software and you will very likely cause damage to your system.

The System Configuration Utility ('msconfig') built into Windows XP has a
way to disable items from starting with Windows. This utility was intended
for troubleshooting startup and shutdown problems. It is not a permanent
solution.

Many times when posters ask how to prevent a program from starting with
Windows, what has happened is that they have unwittingly invited a virus,
adware or spyware onto their computers. In that case, you must do the
following:

1. Remove all viruses (including trojans and worms) from your computer.

2. Install one of the many adware/spyware removers available on the
Internet. Here are three popular choices (alphabetically):

Ad-aware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Pest Patrol: http://www.pestpatrol.com/
Spybot S&D: http://www.safer-networking.org/

Many adware and spyware programs are specifically designed to be difficult
to remove, and some may actually be impossible to remove without damaging
your system.

Tom Swift
 
go to start/run type msconfig then go to startup their u will see all programs that start up only check boxes that are for maintenance or security
 
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