Preventing programs from loading at start up.

[Hywinder]

This a very annoying problem that I can't seem to find how to address. I'm running WinXP (SP2), and currently have 16 different programs that are loading at system start up. These are the icons located in the lower left corner of the desk top. How do you go about deactivating them at start up, and prevent them from loading? It's taking my computer as much as 4 minutes to load these program, from the time I turn on my system. The bad part is some of these programs I want to start, such as my Anti Virus protection, spyware blocker, sound, etc. But others are programs like Multimedia Launcher, Windows messanger (which I don't use), Quicktime, etc.

How do I go about stopping these extra programs from loading at start up? Thanks in advance!

Hywinder

PS, I know there was a PC Mech daily tip about this a few months ago, but I couldn't locate it anywhere.

[wilcopshot]

YAY! An easy one. Different programs start at start up in different ways. Some have options within them to stop it (eg messenger). Some don't. Some will appear in the "startup" folder located in start menu -> programs. Delete any you dont wish to load. Some are a little more tricky and can require third partyy software to sort them out. Download "spybot - search and destroy" (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Searc...ml?tag=lst-0-1) . Make sure when you open this that you are running it in advanced mode. there may be two shortcuts for this or it may be an option in the program its self. depends on the version. When in advanced mode there is a "tools" icon on the left. under here is a system startup tab. uncheck any entries for programs you do not want and hey presto. no more start at startup. Be carefull tho. Some things listed you will need. spybot does give a handy guide on the right when you click on one to tell you information on it and whether it is normally needed or not.

Gd luck.

Greg

P.S. The icons in the bottom left are quick launch shortcuts. these take no system memory and do not really need to load. i presumed you meant bottom right which is where active programs can appear.

[mushroom]

Here are two free startup program managers,

http://mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
http://www.wheresjames.com/index.php?page=startupmgr

[rios__]

You can also use the built in msconfig utility. Click start->run and type msconfig

[sdkfz]

Go to start - run- and type in msconfig - go to the start up tab, research the items on google and uncheck those you do not want to load at start. DO NOT uncheck everything- you need some of the stuff. For example you do want your AV and Firewall to be there.

The msconfig general tab will change from the first radio button - 'Normal Start Up' to the third one 'Selective Start Up' when you make changes to the Start Up tab. This is correct behavior. On the reboot you will get a pop up saying that you are runnig a selective start up, there is a check box to stop that from coming up every time, but do not tell it to go back to normal or all your work will be lost.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by sdkfz Go to start - run- and type in msconfig - go to the start up tab, research the items on google and uncheck those you do not want to load at start. DO NOT uncheck everything- you need some of the stuff. For example you do want your AV and Firewall to be there.

Here's a couple of sites I use to determine if programs are required, optional or crap related.

http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

http://startup.iamnotageek.com/

[Hywinder]

Thanks a lot to all that provided advice and assistance. I haven't had the opportunity yet to try them, but hopefully these will help me with my problem.

Thanks again!

Hywinder

[wilcopshot]

I did the msconfig thing to see what its like. but my XP SP2 can't find it. Any ideas?

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by wilcopshot I did the msconfig thing to see what its like. but my XP SP2 can't find it. Any ideas?

That's interesting. You typed "msconfig" in the run box and got nothing? What happens if you do a Search for msconfig? It should show up in Service Pack Files/i386.

If you can't find it, download the one here for Win2000 and just drop it in the file I mention. It's the same file.

http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html

[sdkfz]

that is weird, I am on Win XP Home SP2 and I have always had it, Win 2000 does not have it.

I searched for the file and on my Dell Dim 8400 and my home built dinosaur - it is here on both:

C:\Windows\PCHealth\helpctr\Binaries

google missing msconfig and you can get it online, but try the 'search' on your machine first

see panama's reply for a link- he beat me to it with my needing to go boot another machine during the typing of mine.....

[wilcopshot]

i'm doin it as we type. My help files did'nt load up before as well. i had to rebuild the registry key for that start menu icon. I think a format reinstall is due. no viruses or spyware, im sure of it. I found it in the i386 folder you named. I think i'll load a fresh copy of windows onto this machine when
1. i can be bothered to move
2. be bothered to move my files
3. be bothered to finish off figuring out my slipstream of sp2. (well slipstram is done, but burning a bootable disk, any help?)