Changing Default Start-Up Programs

[Ian]

How can I remove programs from the list of apps that automatically launch at
Start-Up? Similarly, how can I see the list of start-up apps?

I think there is junk starting every time I boot, and I want to clean things
up.

Thanks,

Ian

 

[Santosh]

Hi Ian

you can use the registry Editor to change the start up programs but please
use the registry editor at your own risk please back up the registry before
attempting to modify the same

the key you need to modify is

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

you can remove certain apps that you dont need and also similar you need to
navigate to the same path in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER by navigating to the same
path and checking if all the apps have been removed..

all the Best

 

[John John]

There are seven Run keys in the registry that cause programs to be run
automatically. All 7 apply to W9x systems but only 4 apply to NT systems.

These apply to NT systems:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

For information only, in addition to the above these apply to W9x but
NOT to NT. NT uses a different method to start/run services.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ RunServices
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
RunServicesOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ RunOnce\Setup

Instead of using these keys, services (for NT) will be in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services. (I don't
recommend that you go there trying to turn off services unless you
really understand the key structure).

In addition, programs can be automatically started at boot via logon
scripts or batch files. They can be invoked via shortcuts or by being
placed in the Startup Folders (Current User and All Users). They can be
started at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit, Task Scheduler, and I'm sure I'm
forgetting a few other start places.

There are several ways of dealing with these autostart programs, via the
programs themselves, via registry edits or with the aid of helper
applications. The preferred method is to go in the programs themselves
and turn off the autostart option. The well written and graceful
programs always give an option to be turned off at boot. It's the not
so well written or graceful programs that present a bit of a difficulty
as they can be hidden in in the other startup places. IF that is the
case then you can look in the 4 keys mentioned above and see if you can
disable them from there. If you can't at the reg keys then look in the
Services management console and see if you can set the associated
service to "Manual" start instead of "Auto". Check the Startup Folders
and delete the entries if there.

If you still are having difficulties then the helper application will
come in handy. I recommend the following:

CodeStuff Starter: http://members.lycos.co.uk/codestuff/
Sysinternals Autoruns:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/autoruns.shtml

You can also download XP msconfig from the internet and place it in your
System32 folder and use it to look at/disable the startup entries.

John