There are utilities like the freeware CCleaner software that can easily let you list and modify auto-run programs from the Windows XP system registry like this:
Above: In CCleaner, click Tools (large icon on left) then Startup (white button in middle column) to see this list.
However if you’re the type that would rather do this the "old fashioned way", you can get to this information and get the same editing ability by using the tried-and-true registry editor.
You can get to the registry editor in one of two ways.
- Click Start / Run / type regedit / click OK.
- Right click on a blank area of the desktop, click New from the context menu that appears, click Shortcut, type regedit in the dialog box that appears (no need to click Browse), click Next, click Finish. This will place a regedit icon on your desktop that you can double-click to launch the Registry Editor.
Inside the registry editor you have to expand some folders – in a specific order – to get to the "run" list.
The order is as follows:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- SOFTWARE
- Microsoft
- Windows
- CurrentVersion
- Run
It should look something like this when you’re done:
From here you have the same modify/delete ability as you do with CCleaner, except using the built-in registry editor instead.
IMPORANT NOTE: Messing around with the Windows registry can seriously screw up your Windows installation if done wrong.
It is highly suggested to BACKUP your registry first. This is done easily via the registry editor by simply clicking File then Export. Do this before making any registry changes. Make sure when exporting your "Export Range" is ticked as "All".
Like this (see bottom left):
Didn’t find what you were looking for in Run?
Maybe it’s not there. Maybe it’s in the Start menu’s "Startup" folder instead.
Click Start, All Programs, Startup and check that menu. You can remove any menu entry there by simply right-clicking on it and left-clicking Delete.
If you delete something on a goof, don’t worry because it’s in the Recycle Bin where you can put it back in case you make a mistake.
Just remember there is no Recycle Bin ability with the registry editor. Your only means of restoring something you deleted is by importing a .reg file you exported as explained above.
Hi Rich,
Interesting article, although a little brave (crazy?) suggesting your readers tinker with the registry even if it is backed up!
I’d suggest also doing a “Selected Branch” backup as well as the whole registry, that way you can restore just the part you tinkered with rather than lots of other settings that may well have been changed intentionally by other applications.
You might also like to check out LazyLoad (http://www.LazyLoad.com) as another means of altering your Windows Startup. With LazyLoad you move applications you don’t want starting up immediately with Windows to the LazyLoad list, these can then be disabled or started at a delayed time and restored easily should you wish to have the app start with Windows.
Whilst LazyLoad is Shareware it still works after the 30 day trial but loads all the enabled programs immediately like Windows would have done so you can still use it to disable application loading and have an easy way to restore them should you find you need that application loaded at Startup.
BTW – you can also add programs and tasks not normally run at Windows startup easily with the LazyUtilities in LazyLoad (such as wake another computer, lock the workstation, send a Twitter tweet etc.).
Rich – if you’d like to give it a try I’d be more than happy to send you a licence key so your not constrained to the 30 day trial – just drop me an email.