msconfig

[Guest]

Hi, just wondering what the general consensus is...
Do you think running msconfig and shutting down items is NOT a good thing?
I have been doing this for quite some time after I run my spybot and adaware.
It seems to help on my pc, but I read a post on another site and they seemed
to think it was not a good idea. The reason they gave was that a user could
shut down programs that are needed to run windows. This has not happened to
me and it doesn't seem like the items in msconfig are anything but my
antivirus app and the rest is junk. Am I wrong?

 

[Guest]

You are correct, the one and only program, in most circumstances, you'll
need is the anti-virus program. The rest of the listing can be disabled and
run
by clicking their respective icons. Your PC will be a lean, mean, computing
machine.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

MSCONFIG should be used as a diagnostic tool.. unwanted programs can be shut
down by accessing the program properties/preferences/options..

If your computer is slow, then look at spyware being present maybe, consider
shutting down the XP eye candy, or ensure that your computer is well enough
specified to run XP..

 

[Sharon F]

Hi, just wondering what the general consensus is...
Do you think running msconfig and shutting down items is NOT a good thing?
I have been doing this for quite some time after I run my spybot and adaware.
It seems to help on my pc, but I read a post on another site and they seemed
to think it was not a good idea. The reason they gave was that a user could
shut down programs that are needed to run windows. This has not happened to
me and it doesn't seem like the items in msconfig are anything but my
antivirus app and the rest is junk. Am I wrong?

Only you know what is in your MSCONFIG list. If you do not notice any
problems with these things disabled, go for it.

PS: Would caution against disabling antivirus and/or firewall programs as
Byte mentions. Should leave those running. Especially if online.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

The correct method for removing any startup is to use the program that
placed it there in the first place.

From StartMan Help:
[[StartMan is a startup manager created to address some of the shortcomings
in Microsoft's original System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG.EXE).
MSCONFIG is primarily a troubleshooting tool, not a startup manager, and as
such it does not permit the permanent removal of startups - they can only be
disabled. Under normal circumstances all startup items should be enabled as
it is difficult to troubleshoot a system's startup while some items are
disabled on a more permanent basis. Such non-essential items should be
removed completely, in order to both release MSCONFIG for its primary
purpose of troubleshooting, and to remove any confusion where duplication
occurs. Where an item is essential, the program that requires it will quite
often re-instate the item. But since it knows nothing of the disabled item,
you end up with a duplicate. A duplicate is simply an item that is both
enabled and disabled (not as impossible as it sounds, since enabled and
disabled items are stored in separate locations). ]]

[[IMPORTANT
The correct method for removing any startup is to use the program that
placed it there in the first place. The reason for this is that the program
would otherwise be unaware of the changes you'd made with StartMan or any
other startup managers, and some will actually restore their startups
automatically, thus creating duplicates. Therefore always check the main
program's own options or preferences, or the system tray icon's options (if
the program has one) before resorting to any startup manager - including
this one. Startup managers should ONLY be used to disable startups
temporarily - such as when troubleshooting - or to remove non-essential
startups that have no removal options whatsoever. ]]

msconfig.exe is the System Configuration Utility.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=310560

System Configuration Utility
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/prmb_tol_dxth.asp


System Configuration Utility overview
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/msconfig_usage.mspx

What is the Microsoft System Configuration Utility MSCONFIG
http://support.ap.dell.com/ap/en/kb/document.asp?DN=HO1014939

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi, just wondering what the general consensus is...
Do you think running msconfig and shutting down items is NOT a good thing?
I have been doing this for quite some time after I run my spybot and adaware.
It seems to help on my pc, but I read a post on another site and they seemed
to think it was not a good idea. The reason they gave was that a user could
shut down programs that are needed to run windows. This has not happened to
me and it doesn't seem like the items in msconfig are anything but my
antivirus app and the rest is junk. Am I wrong?

Msconfig is designed to be a troubleshooting tool, not a "startup
configurer." To cease the selective startup notifications, either
return your settings to the way they were, or permanently remove the
undesirable programs from your startup configuration.

In most cases, with "well-mannered" applications, it's usually as
simple as opening the undesired program and deselecting the option to
"display icon in the system tray" or to "start when Windows starts."

Additionally, Look in the C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Start Menu\Programs\Start Up and C:\Documents and
Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs\Start Up folders, and in the
system registry, primarily in the
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run keys.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310560


--

Bruce Chambers

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both at once. - RAH

 

[Alex Nichol]

Hi, just wondering what the general consensus is...
Do you think running msconfig and shutting down items is NOT a good thing?
I have been doing this for quite some time after I run my spybot and adaware.
It seems to help on my pc, but I read a post on another site and they seemed
to think it was not a good idea. The reason they gave was that a user could
shut down programs that are needed to run windows.

You will not achieve that through msconfig - startup. You might on its
services, but then you could through Admin tools - Services. you should
though first try to inhibit a programs starting through its own options.
If you do not and leave that set to 'run when windows starts' then if
you run it manually it will just put the setting back