Startup list in msconfig

[William B. Lurie]

In my Startup list there are a dozen
items listed which apply to applications
that I tried, didn't like, and deleted from
my system, using Add/Remove programs. How
can I go about to edit that list, and remove
obsolete items?

 

[Malke]

In my Startup list there are a dozen
items listed which apply to applications
that I tried, didn't like, and deleted from
my system, using Add/Remove programs. How
can I go about to edit that list, and remove
obsolete items?

Start>Run>regedit [enter]

Navigate to:

HKEY>LocalMachine>Software>Microsoft>Windows>Current Version>Shared
Tools>Msconfig

You will see two areas under Msconfig which, if they have any sub-entries,
will have little crosses next to them. Expand the areas by clicking on the
crosses and delete the entries that you no longer want. When you are
finished, close regedit.

Be extremely careful when working in the registry since a misstep can render
your Windows installation unbootable. A good practice is to export the
registry keys before deleting them.

Malke

 

[Olórin]

In my Startup list there are a dozen
items listed which apply to applications
that I tried, didn't like, and deleted from
my system, using Add/Remove programs. How
can I go about to edit that list, and remove
obsolete items?

It depends on what exactly you mean by your "Startup list".

If they're in the "Startup" group that appears in the list when you click on
Start > All Programs [XP Start menu] or on Start > Programs [Classic Start
menu], then simply move your mouse over the entry in that group, right-click
and select Delete. In the "Confirm Shortcut Delete" box that comes up,
"Deleting the shortcut... only removes the icon...", click on "Delete
Shortcut". Repeat for each of the other offending items.

For other entries, I like to use Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel
(http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml). This lets you safely manage
automatically starting programs in most areas. (I believe the registry path
Malke referred to in her post should have read

HKEY_Local_Machine>Software>Microsoft>Windows>Shared Tools>Msconfig

Although that said, I have no entries there on my machine.)

 

[Ken]

In my Startup list there are a dozen
items listed which apply to applications
that I tried, didn't like, and deleted from
my system, using Add/Remove programs. How
can I go about to edit that list, and remove
obsolete items?

It depends on what exactly you mean by your "Startup list".

If they're in the "Startup" group that appears in the list when you click on
Start > All Programs [XP Start menu] or on Start > Programs [Classic Start
menu], then simply move your mouse over the entry in that group, right-click
and select Delete. In the "Confirm Shortcut Delete" box that comes up,
"Deleting the shortcut... only removes the icon...", click on "Delete
Shortcut". Repeat for each of the other offending items.

For other entries, I like to use Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel
(http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml). This lets you safely manage
automatically starting programs in most areas. (I believe the registry path
Malke referred to in her post should have read

HKEY_Local_Machine>Software>Microsoft>Windows>Shared Tools>Msconfig

Although that said, I have no entries there on my machine.)

I've looked at Lin's program and many others. I cannot see
how to change the order that startup programs are loaded.
Anyone know how to do that?

 

[Olórin]

In my Startup list there are a dozen
items listed which apply to applications
that I tried, didn't like, and deleted from
my system, using Add/Remove programs. How
can I go about to edit that list, and remove
obsolete items?

It depends on what exactly you mean by your "Startup list".

If they're in the "Startup" group that appears in the list when you click
on Start > All Programs [XP Start menu] or on Start > Programs [Classic
Start menu], then simply move your mouse over the entry in that group,
right-click and select Delete. In the "Confirm Shortcut Delete" box that
comes up, "Deleting the shortcut... only removes the icon...", click on
"Delete Shortcut". Repeat for each of the other offending items.

For other entries, I like to use Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel
(http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml). This lets you safely manage
automatically starting programs in most areas. (I believe the registry
path Malke referred to in her post should have read

HKEY_Local_Machine>Software>Microsoft>Windows>Shared Tools>Msconfig

Although that said, I have no entries there on my machine.)

I've looked at Lin's program and many others. I cannot see how to change
the order that startup programs are loaded. Anyone know how to do that?

Ah; you didn't mention *changing the order* before!

There may well be utilities out there in Google-land. <does quick check>
Yes, eg Startup Delayer,
http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay - although it
doesn't seem to manipulate the order per se, but just put in delays. There
are probably many other utilities out there.

For doing with Windows, the first thing that occurs to me is: why? Just fire
your machine up and come back in a few minutes. Just curious...

The second thing that occurs to me is: write yourself a batchfile with
suitable pauses/counts etc that fires up these programs/services in order,
and put it in your Startup group (the one on the Start Menu). You'll need to
research where these programs are starting from (Start Menu, services,
registry - you still haven't said which you mean) and the correct paths &
command lines needed. You'll then need to delete/disable each item therein
from starting in the way it has been up till now. Overall start-up time this
would probably be longer this way, too.

 

[Big_Al]

In my Startup list there are a dozen
items listed which apply to applications
that I tried, didn't like, and deleted from
my system, using Add/Remove programs. How
can I go about to edit that list, and remove
obsolete items?

If you are talking about the list of most used programs on the start
button, left side, where IE and OE are the top two items, then just
right click one and pick "remove from the list".

I only have the default view of start menu setup so I'm not sure how it
looks with the classic view. Might work the same.

 

[Big_Al]

If you are talking about the list of most used programs on the start
button, left side, where IE and OE are the top two items, then just
right click one and pick "remove from the list".

I only have the default view of start menu setup so I'm not sure how it
looks with the classic view. Might work the same.

OOPS, your subject says msconfig. Sorry, wrong directions. I
mentally blocked out that when reading the body.

 

[Ken]

In my Startup list there are a dozen
items listed which apply to applications
that I tried, didn't like, and deleted from
my system, using Add/Remove programs. How
can I go about to edit that list, and remove
obsolete items?
It depends on what exactly you mean by your "Startup list".

If they're in the "Startup" group that appears in the list when you click
on Start > All Programs [XP Start menu] or on Start > Programs [Classic
Start menu], then simply move your mouse over the entry in that group,
right-click and select Delete. In the "Confirm Shortcut Delete" box that
comes up, "Deleting the shortcut... only removes the icon...", click on
"Delete Shortcut". Repeat for each of the other offending items.

For other entries, I like to use Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel
(http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml). This lets you safely manage
automatically starting programs in most areas. (I believe the registry
path Malke referred to in her post should have read

HKEY_Local_Machine>Software>Microsoft>Windows>Shared Tools>Msconfig

Although that said, I have no entries there on my machine.)

I've looked at Lin's program and many others. I cannot see how to change
the order that startup programs are loaded. Anyone know how to do that?

Ah; you didn't mention *changing the order* before!

There may well be utilities out there in Google-land. <does quick check>
Yes, eg Startup Delayer,
http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay - although it
doesn't seem to manipulate the order per se, but just put in delays. There
are probably many other utilities out there.

For doing with Windows, the first thing that occurs to me is: why? Just fire
your machine up and come back in a few minutes. Just curious...

The second thing that occurs to me is: write yourself a batchfile with
suitable pauses/counts etc that fires up these programs/services in order,
and put it in your Startup group (the one on the Start Menu). You'll need to
research where these programs are starting from (Start Menu, services,
registry - you still haven't said which you mean) and the correct paths &
command lines needed. You'll then need to delete/disable each item therein
from starting in the way it has been up till now. Overall start-up time this
would probably be longer this way, too.

It's not a big deal. I have a minor annoyance which I'd like
to fix.
I use ZoneAlarm and after installing the latest update ZA
loads last among my startup programs. This causes XP to warn
me that "my computer might be at risk" because the firewall
is turned off. When ZA finally loads that bubble goes away.
There was a time when I didn't get this bubble. I assume
that's because ZA loaded sooner.
I can live with the situation but if I could eliminate it
I'd be happy.

 

[Olórin]

Olórin wrote:
In my Startup list there are a dozen
items listed which apply to applications
that I tried, didn't like, and deleted from
my system, using Add/Remove programs. How
can I go about to edit that list, and remove
obsolete items?
It depends on what exactly you mean by your "Startup list".

If they're in the "Startup" group that appears in the list when you
click on Start > All Programs [XP Start menu] or on Start > Programs
[Classic Start menu], then simply move your mouse over the entry in
that group, right-click and select Delete. In the "Confirm Shortcut
Delete" box that comes up, "Deleting the shortcut... only removes the
icon...", click on "Delete Shortcut". Repeat for each of the other
offending items.

For other entries, I like to use Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel
(http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml). This lets you safely manage
automatically starting programs in most areas. (I believe the registry
path Malke referred to in her post should have read

HKEY_Local_Machine>Software>Microsoft>Windows>Shared Tools>Msconfig

Although that said, I have no entries there on my machine.)



I've looked at Lin's program and many others. I cannot see how to change
the order that startup programs are loaded. Anyone know how to do that?

Ah; you didn't mention *changing the order* before!

There may well be utilities out there in Google-land. <does quick check>
Yes, eg Startup Delayer,
http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay - although it
doesn't seem to manipulate the order per se, but just put in delays.
There are probably many other utilities out there.

For doing with Windows, the first thing that occurs to me is: why? Just
fire your machine up and come back in a few minutes. Just curious...

The second thing that occurs to me is: write yourself a batchfile with
suitable pauses/counts etc that fires up these programs/services in
order, and put it in your Startup group (the one on the Start Menu).
You'll need to research where these programs are starting from (Start
Menu, services, registry - you still haven't said which you mean) and the
correct paths & command lines needed. You'll then need to delete/disable
each item therein from starting in the way it has been up till now.
Overall start-up time this would probably be longer this way, too.

It's not a big deal. I have a minor annoyance which I'd like to fix.
I use ZoneAlarm and after installing the latest update ZA loads last among
my startup programs. This causes XP to warn me that "my computer might be
at risk" because the firewall is turned off. When ZA finally loads that
bubble goes away. There was a time when I didn't get this bubble. I assume
that's because ZA loaded sooner.
I can live with the situation but if I could eliminate it I'd be happy.

This might stop it warning you when it thinks you have no firewall running
in the first place: Control Panel > Windows Security Center > Change the way
Security Center alerts me > untick Firewall.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_disablescalerts.mspx
says that this will stop the Security Center sending you alerts, but it will
still "display your status" - I can't check at the moment, so I don't know
if that means the "bubble" or not, but it might be worth trying if you're
happy judging that you don't need to be warned about having no firewall.

 

[Olórin]

Olórin wrote:
In my Startup list there are a dozen
items listed which apply to applications
that I tried, didn't like, and deleted from
my system, using Add/Remove programs. How
can I go about to edit that list, and remove
obsolete items?
It depends on what exactly you mean by your "Startup list".

If they're in the "Startup" group that appears in the list when you
click on Start > All Programs [XP Start menu] or on Start > Programs
[Classic Start menu], then simply move your mouse over the entry in
that group, right-click and select Delete. In the "Confirm Shortcut
Delete" box that comes up, "Deleting the shortcut... only removes the
icon...", click on "Delete Shortcut". Repeat for each of the other
offending items.

For other entries, I like to use Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel
(http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml). This lets you safely manage
automatically starting programs in most areas. (I believe the registry
path Malke referred to in her post should have read

HKEY_Local_Machine>Software>Microsoft>Windows>Shared Tools>Msconfig

Although that said, I have no entries there on my machine.)



I've looked at Lin's program and many others. I cannot see how to
change the order that startup programs are loaded. Anyone know how to
do that?

Ah; you didn't mention *changing the order* before!

There may well be utilities out there in Google-land. <does quick check>
Yes, eg Startup Delayer,
http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay - although it
doesn't seem to manipulate the order per se, but just put in delays.
There are probably many other utilities out there.

For doing with Windows, the first thing that occurs to me is: why? Just
fire your machine up and come back in a few minutes. Just curious...

The second thing that occurs to me is: write yourself a batchfile with
suitable pauses/counts etc that fires up these programs/services in
order, and put it in your Startup group (the one on the Start Menu).
You'll need to research where these programs are starting from (Start
Menu, services, registry - you still haven't said which you mean) and
the correct paths & command lines needed. You'll then need to
delete/disable each item therein from starting in the way it has been up
till now. Overall start-up time this would probably be longer this way,
too.

It's not a big deal. I have a minor annoyance which I'd like to fix.
I use ZoneAlarm and after installing the latest update ZA loads last
among my startup programs. This causes XP to warn me that "my computer
might be at risk" because the firewall is turned off. When ZA finally
loads that bubble goes away. There was a time when I didn't get this
bubble. I assume that's because ZA loaded sooner.
I can live with the situation but if I could eliminate it I'd be happy.

This might stop it warning you when it thinks you have no firewall running
in the first place: Control Panel > Windows Security Center > Change the
way Security Center alerts me > untick Firewall.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_disablescalerts.mspx
says that this will stop the Security Center sending you alerts, but it
will still "display your status" - I can't check at the moment, so I don't
know if that means the "bubble" or not, but it might be worth trying if
you're happy judging that you don't need to be warned about having no
firewall.

....and if your ZA is auto-checking for updates to itself each time it starts
up, turning that feature off might speed things up enough to stop Windows
thinking there's no firewall (along with removing
unnecessarily-auto-starting apps).

 

[inkleput]

For doing with Windows, the first thing that occurs to me is: why? Just
fire your machine up and come back in a few minutes. Just curious...

To highjack this thread - I have an anti-virus updater that tries to dial
out before the com is ready.

JimL

 

[inkleput]

I can live with the situation but if I could eliminate it
I'd be happy.

I think you're talking about the right-most column. I uncheck the items I
don't want, then I use a list cleaner utility to clean out the unchecked
line(s).

www.get-in-control.com


JimL

 

[ColTom2]

The best and easiest to remove obsolete items is
http://www.get-in-control.com/msconfig-cleanup/

One prior posting listed www.get-in-control., but did not list this specific
application within their website.



In my Startup list there are a dozen
items listed which apply to applications
that I tried, didn't like, and deleted from
my system, using Add/Remove programs. How
can I go about to edit that list, and remove
obsolete items?