How can I change programs that start automatically when I turn on my computer?

Question

How can I change programs that start automatically when I turn on my computer?

Anonymous

I have several programs that slow down my start up. I don't use the programs and would like them to not start automatically.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

8 additional answers

Answer 1

I have several programs that slow down my start up. I don't use the programs and would like them to not start automatically.

First, note that you should be concerned with *all* programs that start automatically, not just with those that go into the system tray. Not all auto-starting programs manifest themselves by an icon in the tray.

On each program you don't want to start automatically, check its Options to see if it has the choice not to start (make sure you actually choose the option not to run it, not just a "don't show icon" option). Many can easily and best be stopped that way. If that doesn't work, run MSCONFIG from the Start | Run line, and on the Startup tab, uncheck the programs you don't want to start automatically.

However, if I were you, I wouldn't do this just for the purpose of running the minimum number of programs. Despite what many people tell you, you should be concerned, not with how *many* of these programs you run, but *which*. Some of them can hurt performance severely, but others have no effect on performance.

Don't just stop programs from running willy-nilly. What you should do is determine what each program is, what its value is to you, and what the cost in performance is of its running all the time. You can try internet searches and ask about specifics here.

Once you have that information, you can make an intelligent informed decision about what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of.

Answer 2

Please review the following article with tips for speeding up your computer.

http://techingiteasy.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/speed-up-your-system-for-the-new-year/

Startup Performance

We install a lot of applications on our computers. Sometimes, those applications will place special files in areas of the operating system such as the Startup Folder to make launching the application faster. Sometimes a program might even create a special Service that prepares itself when Windows is starting up. If you have a lot of these types of programs installed, some of them can have a adverse effect on your systems performance. To resolve this, you can simply launch the Microsoft Configuration Utility (msconfig). MSCONFIG provides a host of options for managing how your computer starts up and also for diagnostic purposes when your system might not start properly. To launch MSCONFIG, click Start, type: msconfig.exe, hit Enter on your keyboard, or click msconfig.exe result in the Start menu.

![](http://byfiles.storage.msn.com/y1p0M7_q5ci39wf2pCl9S_kP8gKh5-gWRMKFER2UGp36WXr3ercD_C4p1mZcnNYew8BrW75OQAtENA?PARTNER=WRITER)

System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG)

When msconfig is displayed on your screen, you will see the main interface, General (tab), which manages how your computer starts. The main tab we need to go to is Startup. At this tab, we will see a list of items that startup with the system when Windows is loading. Now, there are some programs in here that are essential, but some might not be needed when the computer starts, check out the following table of some of the applications I have that load programs during start up and the ones I have unchecked:

Program	Description	Check or Uncheck
Kmaestro (x64)	This program is associated with my sound card, so I will keep it of course. Yours will be listed under a different name, for instance Creative Audio products might be listed as Creative or diagent.	Check
Microsoft Security Essentials	This is my security program of choice, yours might be different, you can easily identify your security software under the Manufacturer column, Symantec, Microsoft, McAfee, Kaspersky, ESET or a number of others.	Check
Microsoft Windows Operating System	This item loads commands associated with essential areas of the system such as Program Files and Windows Directories, definitely keep these checked.	Check
Microsoft Encarta Dictionary	If you have Microsoft Encarta installed, it also installs a program called Encarta dictionary. I use it a lot to make sure I spell words correctly. If you don’t use it often, then you can uncheck it.	Uncheck
Logitech	A manufacturer of various input devices such as Mice, Keyboard, video cams and Game controls, this is often associated with an input device of some kind, definitely leave it.	Check
Quicktime	Apple Computers multimedia software for viewing and listening different types of content such as movie trailers, its rarely used, but usually comes bundled with other popular software from Apple such as iTunes	Uncheck
Bluetooth software	This is often used by devices such as cell phones to transfer files and some wireless input devices such as keyboards and mice to communicate with the system.	Check
Adobe Acrobat	Used for viewing Adobe’s Portable Document Format (PDF), this program is not something you are regularly doing I am sure and having it checked does not necessarily add any convenience to viewing PDF’s any faster.	Uncheck
NERO Home	Aheads popular program used for burning content to optical disks, Nero Home is just a quick way to access certain aspects of the program. Personally, its pointless, you could easily at a Shortcut to the Taskbar.	Uncheck
iTunes	iTunes is a very popular jukebox software created by Apple Inc. In addition to being a music player, its used with the ubiquitous iPod, one of which I own. Personally, the faster this program starts up, the better for me. If you<br> don’t own a iPod or iPhone, having it checked for start up does not add any significant benefit unless you are using it as your default music player and you have a large library.	Depends
Yahoo! Messenger	Popular instant messaging, I rarely use it, but even if I have to, storing it in your Notification Area and startup items is just using up precious CPU cycles and memory, definitely remove it. If you do use it, simply pin it to<br> your Taskbar.	Uncheck
Daemon Tools	I use this program to mount .ISO files which are virtual disk images of programs that are offered in that format. So instead of installing from a physical DVD or CD I just point to the .ISO file of that program and it shows up like<br> a regular disk in the Computer environment. This is not a program used by the average PC user, even if you are not the the average PC user, having it in your start up is not gonna load those .ISO files any faster.	Uncheck
Windows Live Family Safety	Installed as a part of the innovative suite of products and free services – Windows Live Essentials, it provides parents with thorough parental control capabilities that go beyond what is included in Windows 7′s Parent Controls,<br> allowing you to keep track of your child’s online activities. If you are a parent who shares a PC with a child and already utilize Windows 7 Parental Controls, then definitely keep this checked.	Depends
Groove	Included as a part of the Microsoft Office Enterprise and Ultimate edition suites, Groove is used for collaboration with colleagues, team work and brain storming. If you are not involved in such activities, then you can certainly<br> uncheck it.	Uncheck
Java(TM) Platform SE 6 U12	Developed by SUN Microsystems, Java is a popular applet used by many applications on the Internet or desktop. Certain programs require that Java is installed before they can work. Having it as a Start up item I personally notice<br> does not add any significant benefit except alert you to new versions of the applet.	Uncheck
RealPlayer	An alternative media player juke box, I use it to download videos from the Internet. Having it as a start up item is unnecessary. RealPlayer has a tendency to pop up annoying notifications too.	Uncheck
VMware Workstation	I use this program to manage virtual instances of other operating systems. This program simply enables quick access to the VMware interface. I don’t have it checked and the program continues to function just fine.	Uncheck
OneNote	Another Microsoft Office family program, it is used for note taking, organization and management of information. Its also a handy application if you use a Tablet PC or computer with inking support. If you are in need of those capabilities,<br> I would leave this unchecked. I use it to gather snippets of information I come across on the Internet or need to take a note of. So even though I don’t own a Tablet, OneNote still comes in handy.	Depends

There is my list, of course yours will vary because of the hundreds of millions of configurations that exist and the millions of applications available for Windows. If you are unsure about a program, do a search on the Internet about it before unchecking. Keep a small inventory of the programs you are using, look in the notification area of the Windows Taskbar to see what is displayed. Hover the mouse pointer over the icon, which will display a balloon about that program. Also, do a backup before unchecking anything. If you do get confused, the Startup tab displays a button near the bottom of the window called Restore Startup Programs…, which will restore the startup items to their default configuration.

Answer 3

Use msconfig (Start/run/msconfig) is the easiest/simplest way

How to troubleshoot configuration errors by using the System Configuration utility in Windows XP:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560

**If you want more control and information than the basic MSConfig options:**Try Autoruns from the MS Windows SysInternals site:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

SysInternals Forums: http://forum.sysinternals.com/

This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of

auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs

are configured to run during system bootup or login,

and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them.

AutoRuns will show/list all apps/etc. that load/run when you first boot ...

(the 'Boot Execute' tab),

when you logon (the 'Logon' tab) and other programs that load

(grouped by labeled tabs) for easy viewing.

It also provides the ability to selectively allows you to stop

(use with care) any program that you don't want to load.

You can undo any changes you have made.

Note: To get additional details on an item in the list you can't

readily identify you may need to highlight the item (right click) and use

the 'Search Online' option to get the details,

especially useful for the more obscure items in the list.

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

Answer 4

Ken, you were a wealth of information for me. I never thought about how many were running cause I didn't think but a handful could. I am printing your reply and following your advice step by step. If you would not of went into further detail I am sure many of user may never learned that they could control how many and find out what they are and if we need them or not. I apologize I have a hard time putting whats I'm saying in my head into the words I use to express what I am trying to say. I have had several closed head injuries. I hope you understood what I was trying to say to you. Thank you so very much.

Teresa

Answer 5

Anonymous

So look in the settings for these (secret) programs. That's the first place to start...

0 comments

Share via

How can I change programs that start automatically when I turn on my computer?

8 additional answers