Startup Programs have more than one instance

[Guest]

Windows Vista Ultimate: I have several startup programs that have more than
one instance. For instance, I added Outlook to the Startup Group. I now get
TWO separate copies of Outlook starting up with Windows.
Several other programs are doing the same. This is not a problem for
programs that will not allow more than one instance to be running, but for
programs that allow more than one instance, this means trying to close all
but one so as to save resources.
I have tried removing/reinstalling the startup programs with no success. I
have tried to use MSCONFIG and Windows Defender's Startup Applications Tool.
If I delete one instance, all instances are deleted. If I disable one
instance, all instances are disabled.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tim]

There are two Startup folders...one for your login and another one for "all
users". It sounds like you have, in the case of Outlook, an Outlook shortcut
in both folders. Just remove one of them and you should be set.

If you are not familiar with Vista yet, the "all users" folder has been
relocated. Just like your login startup folder, they hid it quite well in
"ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. Your login
startup folder is now in
"Users\yourloginname\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu"

Tim

 

[Rich Elgin]

Larry,

There is a neat utility (Autoruns) on Microsoft's TechNet WEB site that will
list
all startup applications and services. You can disable or delete duplicates
or find
old junk that was uninstalled but still trying to run. This is a good tool
to look for
applications that are running that you didn't know about.

Here is the Link:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/Autoruns.mspx

This works on all windows versions.

Rich

 

[Guest]

This program "Autoruns.exe" provided the same results. I uncheck only one
instance, do a refresh and all instances are now unchecked. I check only one
instance, do a refresh and all instances are now checked.
Nice try, though.

 

[Guest]

Thank you. I opened both "all users" and "User" folders. This is probably
where I goofed up to start with. I moved some entries from my user folder to
the all users folder some time back. I think an invisible copy stayed in the
"user" folder when I did and I can't seem to find where it is hidden. When
the folders are both opened, there is only one instance of the programs
showing. (See my reply to Rich.)