Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information
You have started the System Information tool. In the left column, expand
Software Environment (by clicking on the +) and click on Startup Programs.
In the right column you are shown a list of all the programs that start with
Windows.
Now you must decide which of these you really need to have start with
Windows. Some of the entries will be easy to understand, while others will
be cryptic. To identify the cryptic entries, look here:
Start-up Applications
http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html
To stop a program, or one or more of its features, from starting with
Windows, open the program and go through its menus until you locate the
setting that starts the program or feature with Windows, then turn off that
setting.
Much of what you will see are not complete programs, but individual
components of a program. Sometimes these cannot be prevented from starting
with Windows unless the entire program is uninstalled.
Most important of all: Do not succumb to the temptation to hack your system
to prevent something from starting with Windows, and do not fall for the
hype that encourages you to do so.
Of course, if your bootup is being slowed by viruses or spyware, you are in
deep trouble.
Ted Zieglar
