"cannot find 'Gpedit.msc'"

[Guest]

initially, i was trying to modify the programs that start when windows
starts. as up until now the only way i know to do this is to use msconfig and
have all those annoying dialog boxes come up when i start the computer [i
know i can disable these boxes, but i feel it necessary to remember that
these changes were made, since the programs are still on the startup menu].
i found out how to do the modifications using mmc, but when i tried to follow
the instructions, i found that the snap-in for 'group policy' available.
then i found that i could access it directly through the 'run' command by
entering 'Gpedit.msc'. well, when i tried this, i was informed that
'Gpedit.msc' could not be found. how can i get it, and how do i figure out
why it is not there now??
also, when i came to this site, when clicking on each link to get to this
newsgroup, i received a dialog box each time informing me that the
certificates were not valid [or whatever they say, i forget] and had to click
the 'temporary validation' option [again, or whatever it says]. are these
two things related somehow? i don't recall deleting anything--the only thing
i've done of recent is updated my nivdia driver. would this be a situation
where i would use system restore, and if so, how do i ascertain which date to
go back to, and wouldn't i also be changing desired modifications i had made
in the past??

hope this is understandable--please forgive the run-on sentences, as i know
no other way to explain...
thanks in advance for the assistance--there are really helpful people on
these newsgroups!!
regards,
allyson

 

[Bob Harris]

I beleive that you are looking for the group policy editor? That is for XP
Pro, not XP home. Unfortunately, the "help" for XP does not seem to be
spcific to which version you have on the PC. I had a similar problem
looking for a non-existant option.

If you have the Pro version, look on the XP CDROM for the missing program,
or maybe a related file ending in "MSI" that would install it.

 

[Guest]

thank you, bob. if i recall correctly, without going back to the article,
there were mentions re: xp pro, but this was not one of them.
the query now is this: how do i modify/remove startup items with xp home??
any help is greatly appreciated, and remember, i am no expert...

thanks again--
allyson

 

[TaurArian [MVP]]

Stopping Programs from Running at Startup

Here are three places to look for the entry that causes Windows to run the program:

Startup folder Make sure that a shortcut for the program isn't in the StartUp folder
(Start | All Programs | Startup). If a shortcut for the program is there, delete it.
(Choose Start | All Programs | Startup, right-click the item for the program, and
choose Delete from the menu that appears, or drag the program item out of the
folder.)

Win.ini Look for a line in your Win.ini file that runs the program. The line would
start with "run=" or "load=" in the windows section.

Registry Examine the Registry for an entry that runs the program. You can use the
Registry Editor to remove the offending entry, after making a backup of the Registry.
Look in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RUN "hive"
(group of Registry keys), which lists programs that are run automatically.
HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;322756
Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to
reinstall your operating system. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Alternatively, choose Start | Run, type msconfig, and press ENTER to see the System
Configuration Utility. Click the Startup tab, to see a list of the programs that run
at startup. You can use this program to display and edit the Win.ini file (but make a
backup first). On the General tab, you can choose Selective Startup to turn on
Selective Startup mode, a startup mode in which Windows asks before running each
startup program. Deselecting any item on the Startup tab automatically turns on
Selective Startup.


Information :-
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
All about disabling programs at startup
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

 

[Torsten Wagner]

Have a look at:

http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html

Torsten

 

[Guest]

i've already diabled theprograms from the '.ini'. however, each time i boot
up, i get all those dialog boxes, and the changes are not complete. guess i
will have to go with the registry editing alternative. however, con you
explain why, if i wish to make permanent changes, it is still necessary to
backup the registry file?? i've done similar things before without backing
up with no adverse effects. guess i will do it this time [must read
instructions, as i've no idea how to do this, but i guess it's not a bad
idea...].

thanks, all, for all of your assistance--
allyson

 

[Guest]

taurarian--

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RUN "hive"
is NOT a valid selection. all there is are these:
'run',
'runonce',
'runonce' [a second time--different than first] and
'runonceex'.

is this odd??

thanks again--
allyson

Stopping Programs from Running at Startup

Here are three places to look for the entry that causes Windows to run the program:

Startup folder Make sure that a shortcut for the program isn't in the StartUp folder
(Start | All Programs | Startup). If a shortcut for the program is there, delete it.
(Choose Start | All Programs | Startup, right-click the item for the program, and
choose Delete from the menu that appears, or drag the program item out of the
folder.)

Win.ini Look for a line in your Win.ini file that runs the program. The line would
start with "run=" or "load=" in the windows section.

Registry Examine the Registry for an entry that runs the program. You can use the
Registry Editor to remove the offending entry, after making a backup of the Registry.
Look in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RUN "hive"
(group of Registry keys), which lists programs that are run automatically.

<snip>

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

"hive" is not part of the name of the Registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. And even here its actually used incorrectly. Hive represents the various major levels, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and etc.

See www.dougknox.com, Win XP Utilities, Startup Programs Tracker. This utility tracks the common startup vectors and will show you what is loading at startup and from where. The included Help gives a brief tutorial with some good information on removing the entries that the program finds.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

taurarian--

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RUN "hive"
is NOT a valid selection. all there is are these:
'run',
'runonce',
'runonce' [a second time--different than first] and
'runonceex'.

is this odd??

thanks again--
allyson

Stopping Programs from Running at Startup

Here are three places to look for the entry that causes Windows to run the program:

Startup folder Make sure that a shortcut for the program isn't in the StartUp folder
(Start | All Programs | Startup). If a shortcut for the program is there, delete it.
(Choose Start | All Programs | Startup, right-click the item for the program, and
choose Delete from the menu that appears, or drag the program item out of the
folder.)

Win.ini Look for a line in your Win.ini file that runs the program. The line would
start with "run=" or "load=" in the windows section.

Registry Examine the Registry for an entry that runs the program. You can use the
Registry Editor to remove the offending entry, after making a backup of the Registry.
Look in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RUN "hive"
(group of Registry keys), which lists programs that are run automatically.

<snip>