msconfig vs. Autoruns

[Jo-Anne]

Several people kindly informed me that the stuttering sound at Windows
opening on my WinXP SP3 notebook computer was probably caused by too many
programs running at Startup. In the back-and-forthing about that issue, I
was told that I could stop some programs from running when the computer
starts. Some said they could be deleted from Autoruns and some talked about
unchecking them in msconfig. Questions: If all I want to do is keep them
from running, am I best off just unchecking them in msconfig? Is there a
point where they should be deleted from Autoruns? In both cases, I'm
guessing that the programs still exist on the computer; they just don't run
automatically at Startup--right?

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

 

[Malke]

Several people kindly informed me that the stuttering sound at Windows
opening on my WinXP SP3 notebook computer was probably caused by too many
programs running at Startup. In the back-and-forthing about that issue, I
was told that I could stop some programs from running when the computer
starts. Some said they could be deleted from Autoruns and some talked
about unchecking them in msconfig. Questions: If all I want to do is keep
them from running, am I best off just unchecking them in msconfig? Is
there a point where they should be deleted from Autoruns? In both cases,
I'm guessing that the programs still exist on the computer; they just
don't run automatically at Startup--right?

Both msconfig and Autoruns merely show you what is running. It is always
better to stop programs from starting with Windows from within the programs
themselves, so look in their Options before changing anything with msconfig
or Autoruns. It doesn't matter whether you change anything in Autoruns or
msconfig; they are both pointing to the same registry items.

Again, in case I forgot to warn you:

Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility (msconfig) to stop
processes. Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any
services unless you really, really know what you're doing.

Malke

 

[JS]

Jo-Anne,

I believe you are using True Image correct.
If so make a new image backup and then you can always get back from whatever
in case you accidently uncheck (stop) the wrong item using msconfig or
Autoruns. This assumes you have created the 'Recovery CD' for True Image.

That said, Autoruns does provide the ability to 'Search Online' to better
identify each process.
Also don't forget (the 'Boot Execute' tab) and (the 'Logon' tab) in
AutoRuns.
Also unchecking an item in AutoRuns does not delete it, like msconfig it
just stops it the next time you boot.

JS
http://www.pagestart.com

 

[Jo-Anne]

Thank you for the reminder, Malke! I had forgotten. I'll print your
instruction now and use it when I stop anything--and I'll query here
beforehand to make sure I'm not stopping something important.

Jo-Anne

Several people kindly informed me that the stuttering sound at Windows
opening on my WinXP SP3 notebook computer was probably caused by too many
programs running at Startup. In the back-and-forthing about that issue, I
was told that I could stop some programs from running when the computer
starts. Some said they could be deleted from Autoruns and some talked
about unchecking them in msconfig. Questions: If all I want to do is keep
them from running, am I best off just unchecking them in msconfig? Is
there a point where they should be deleted from Autoruns? In both cases,
I'm guessing that the programs still exist on the computer; they just
don't run automatically at Startup--right?

Both msconfig and Autoruns merely show you what is running. It is always
better to stop programs from starting with Windows from within the
programs
themselves, so look in their Options before changing anything with
msconfig
or Autoruns. It doesn't matter whether you change anything in Autoruns or
msconfig; they are both pointing to the same registry items.

Again, in case I forgot to warn you:

Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility (msconfig) to stop
processes. Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any
services unless you really, really know what you're doing.

Malke

 

[Jo-Anne]

Thank you, JS! Yes, I'm using True Image and I created (and tested) a
recovery CD--and my plan was not only to back everything up first but also
to create a System Restore Point. I've gotten into the habit of doing that
before intalling programs and before making major changes.

Jo-Anne

 

[JS]

Very good habit!

JS

Thank you, JS! Yes, I'm using True Image and I created (and tested) a
recovery CD--and my plan was not only to back everything up first but also
to create a System Restore Point. I've gotten into the habit of doing that
before intalling programs and before making major changes.

Jo-Anne

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was 9/30/2008 12:11 PM, and on a whim, Jo-Anne pounded
out on the keyboard:

Several people kindly informed me that the stuttering sound at Windows
opening on my WinXP SP3 notebook computer was probably caused by too many
programs running at Startup. In the back-and-forthing about that issue, I
was told that I could stop some programs from running when the computer
starts. Some said they could be deleted from Autoruns and some talked about
unchecking them in msconfig. Questions: If all I want to do is keep them
from running, am I best off just unchecking them in msconfig? Is there a
point where they should be deleted from Autoruns? In both cases, I'm
guessing that the programs still exist on the computer; they just don't run
automatically at Startup--right?

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

Hi again Jo-Anne,

Personally, I feel Autoruns is much better than msconfig.

One, you don't get a nagging dialog box next time you restart like you
do with msconfig (unless of course you remove the entry from Run in the
registry which you can do afterward using Autoruns ;-) ).

Two, you can delete entries if desired.

Three, you can search entries online by right clicking the entry or
using Ctrl-M.

Four, it shows everything and can be broken out using the tabs if desired.

But ultimately, each user has their preferences and if you like using
msconfig better, that is your choice!

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

See http://aumha.org/a/loads.htm (and get rid of NIS already!)

 

[Kayman]

Several people kindly informed me that the stuttering sound at Windows
opening on my WinXP SP3 notebook computer was probably caused by too many
programs running at Startup. In the back-and-forthing about that issue, I
was told that I could stop some programs from running when the computer
starts. Some said they could be deleted from Autoruns and some talked about
unchecking them in msconfig.

WRONG! Nobody suggested to DELETE programs!
Unchecking a program (under the Login tab) in AutoRuns is merely DISABELING
a particular application! This action can easily be reversed!

 

[Jo-Anne]

I've printed it, Robear, and will go through it ASAP. Thank you.

NIS isn't running on my new computer; I just haven't had the nerve yet to
get it off the old one. Since I AM planning to do it, maybe I should hold
off on installing Windows Defender on that computer until it's gone. I
checked Add/Remove Programs, and it looks like there are three Symantec
programs that can be removed: Live Update, NIS, and Symantec Technical
Support Web Controls. I assume I should remove all three?

Jo-Anne

 

[Jo-Anne]

The date and time was 9/30/2008 12:11 PM, and on a whim, Jo-Anne pounded
out on the keyboard:


Hi again Jo-Anne,

Personally, I feel Autoruns is much better than msconfig.

One, you don't get a nagging dialog box next time you restart like you do
with msconfig (unless of course you remove the entry from Run in the
registry which you can do afterward using Autoruns ;-) ).

Two, you can delete entries if desired.

Three, you can search entries online by right clicking the entry or using
Ctrl-M.

Four, it shows everything and can be broken out using the tabs if desired.

But ultimately, each user has their preferences and if you like using
msconfig better, that is your choice!

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

Thank you, Terry! Malke says I should do any disabling through either the
programs themselves or services.msc. I checked the two programs everyone
says should definitely be disabled from Startup--Adobe Reader and Dell
QuickSet--and neither one seems to offer a way of disabling it there. So I
guess I'll go the other route.

Jo-Anne

 

[Malke]

Thank you, Terry! Malke says I should do any disabling through either the
programs themselves or services.msc. I checked the two programs everyone
says should definitely be disabled from Startup--Adobe Reader and Dell
QuickSet--and neither one seems to offer a way of disabling it there. So I
guess I'll go the other route.

Actually, that's not exactly what Malke said. Malke said that:

1. Yes, you should look first to the programs' preferences to see if you can
stop them running at startup from there. Sometimes the preferences are
found in the program's Control Panel applet (if there is one) like setting
Java and Quicktime updating.

2. If there are no preferences - Adobe Reader is a good example - then use a
tool like msconfig or Autoruns or manually work directly in the registry
(not recommended for novices) to stop them from starting up with Windows.

3. Do not use msconfig to stop services because it will allow you to stop
services that are essential to your operating system. Do not stop services
willy-nilly. Only stop services if you know exactly what you're doing and
if there is a pressing need for it.

I understand that you are anxious to learn and to do everything correctly,
but in a way you're making things far more complicated than they need to
be.

I don't know you or your situation, but based on your many posts I think
having a computer professional come on-site and work with you might be a
good idea. Of course, you have to find the right person - someone who
doesn't mind training and explaining. This won't be a GeekSquad type of
place.

Malke

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

In reply to your entirely OT question: Yes.

I've printed it, Robear, and will go through it ASAP. Thank you.

NIS isn't running on my new computer; I just haven't had the nerve yet to
get it off the old one. Since I AM planning to do it, maybe I should hold
off on installing Windows Defender on that computer until it's gone. I
checked Add/Remove Programs, and it looks like there are three Symantec
programs that can be removed: Live Update, NIS, and Symantec Technical
Support Web Controls. I assume I should remove all three?

Jo-Anne

 

[JS]

You might want to consider using the Norton Removal Tool
"The Norton Removal Tool uninstalls all Norton
2009/2008/2007/2006/2005/2004/2003 products
and Norton 360 from your computer.
If you use ACT! or WinFAX, back up those databases
before you proceed."

In addition be aware when it says "all" it does means all
Norton/Symantec products will be removed from your PC.

If NIS is the only Symantec product on your PC then the
removal tool makes it easy and removes most registry entries
that are left behind when using the Add/Remove programs option
in the Control Panel.

Download and run the Norton Removal Tool:
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

JS
http://www.pagestart.com

 

[Jo-Anne]

Thank you, JS! Far as I know, NIS is the only Norton product I have on the
computer, so doing a complete removal should be OK.

Jo-Anne

 

[Jo-Anne]

Actually, that's not exactly what Malke said. Malke said that:

1. Yes, you should look first to the programs' preferences to see if you
can
stop them running at startup from there. Sometimes the preferences are
found in the program's Control Panel applet (if there is one) like setting
Java and Quicktime updating.

2. If there are no preferences - Adobe Reader is a good example - then use
a
tool like msconfig or Autoruns or manually work directly in the registry
(not recommended for novices) to stop them from starting up with Windows.

3. Do not use msconfig to stop services because it will allow you to stop
services that are essential to your operating system. Do not stop services
willy-nilly. Only stop services if you know exactly what you're doing and
if there is a pressing need for it.

I understand that you are anxious to learn and to do everything correctly,
but in a way you're making things far more complicated than they need to
be.

I don't know you or your situation, but based on your many posts I think
having a computer professional come on-site and work with you might be a
good idea. Of course, you have to find the right person - someone who
doesn't mind training and explaining. This won't be a GeekSquad type of
place.

Malke

I must have misunderstood what you meant by "Important - Do not use the
System Configuration Utility (msconfig) to stop processes. Instead, use
Start>Run>services.msc [enter]..." So are you saying that it's OK to uncheck
Dell's Quickset and Adobe Reader Speed Launch in either msconfig or
autoruns?

I would happily have a computer professional come out to help, but I live in
a small town and the only help that's available (other than the Geek Squad,
which seems to be everywhere) is from my local ISP, which also does computer
repairs, software installation, and the like. Unfortunately, the company has
expanded substantially in the last couple years, and many of the new tech
support people know not a whole lot more than I do. They've screwed up
several times with a friend's computer.

Thank you, as always,

Jo-Anne

 

[Jo-Anne]

Thank you, Robear--but you brought up NIS...

Jo-Anne

 

[Jo-Anne]

Thank you, Kayman! I think someone else used the word "delete" in an earlier
response, but I do understood that the idea is simply to disable by
unchecking...

Jo-Anne

 

[Malke]

I must have misunderstood what you meant by "Important - Do not use the
System Configuration Utility (msconfig) to stop processes. Instead, use
Start>Run>services.msc [enter]..." So are you saying that it's OK to
uncheck Dell's Quickset and Adobe Reader Speed Launch in either msconfig
or autoruns?

Yes. BTW, to disable Quickset from running, right-click on its icon in the
taskbar and choose "Exit". You should get a dialog box that allows you to
not have Quickset run at startup. If you don't get the box, use whichever
tool you like.

I would happily have a computer professional come out to help, but I live
in a small town and the only help that's available (other than the Geek
Squad, which seems to be everywhere) is from my local ISP, which also does
computer repairs, software installation, and the like. Unfortunately, the
company has expanded substantially in the last couple years, and many of
the new tech support people know not a whole lot more than I do. They've
screwed up several times with a friend's computer.

Ah, that's too bad. And you're right to stay away from those "experts". I
hope you didn't take my suggestion as chasing you away; I certainly didn't
mean it that way. It's just that having one-on-one personal training is
better than newsgroups but if you can't have it, you can't have it.

Malke

 

[Jo-Anne]

I must have misunderstood what you meant by "Important - Do not use the
System Configuration Utility (msconfig) to stop processes. Instead, use
Start>Run>services.msc [enter]..." So are you saying that it's OK to
uncheck Dell's Quickset and Adobe Reader Speed Launch in either msconfig
or autoruns?

Yes. BTW, to disable Quickset from running, right-click on its icon in the
taskbar and choose "Exit". You should get a dialog box that allows you to
not have Quickset run at startup. If you don't get the box, use whichever
tool you like.

I would happily have a computer professional come out to help, but I live
in a small town and the only help that's available (other than the Geek
Squad, which seems to be everywhere) is from my local ISP, which also
does
computer repairs, software installation, and the like. Unfortunately, the
company has expanded substantially in the last couple years, and many of
the new tech support people know not a whole lot more than I do. They've
screwed up several times with a friend's computer.

Ah, that's too bad. And you're right to stay away from those "experts". I
hope you didn't take my suggestion as chasing you away; I certainly didn't
mean it that way. It's just that having one-on-one personal training is
better than newsgroups but if you can't have it, you can't have it.

Malke

Thank you again, Malke! That worked for Quickset. I should have tried it
yesterday; I didn't because in the past when I clicked Exit on Dell taskbar
items, they disappeared only for that session and came back the next time I
started the computer. This time there was indeed the dialog box. When I
restarted, there was only a slight stutter, so I went ahead and disabled
Adobe Reader Speed Launch and restarted. No more stutter.

Don't worry about my being chased away from the newsgroups. I've learned
infinitely more here in the last couple months than I've learned in the 22
years I've been using computers (my first one was a Kaypro with a 30
megabyte hard drive). I'm getting better too at going to "manuals" and
Google for information before asking here.

Thank you,

Jo-Anne