Stop programs from automatically loading at startup

[PatJennings]

I have been looking for instructions on how to stop programs: AOL Messenger,
Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, Logitech video, etc., etc. from loading when
the computer is started. It seems to take forever! for the computer to
become useful and there are many programs that are used infrequently or not
at all. How can they not be loaded at startup and rather started whenever
they are wanted?

 

[Rich Barry]

Pat, try this free program. Startup CPL
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download619.html

 

[chesemonkyloma]

I have been looking for instructions on how to stop programs: AOL Messenger,
Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, Logitech video, etc., etc. from loading when
the computer is started. It seems to take forever! for the computer to
become useful and there are many programs that are used infrequently or not
at all. How can they not be loaded at startup and rather started whenever
they are wanted?

go to start then run, then type in msconfig. if you dont have it, then
you can easily download it. You can also type in services.msc for more
advanced startup options

 

[wally]

Here's another freeware startup manager...
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Starter/starter.html

 

[S.Sengupta]

The following tool will let you set how to startup your machine:-

How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560

regards,
S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]

 

[PatJennings]

Well, I downloaded the program
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download619.html
after reading the three additional responses received to my original query.
From the reviews I read prior to downloading the program, it appeared to
suit my skill level. Well, I was wrong. Isn't there some simple, easy to
understand process to use? For the life of me, there are so many acronyms
and, apparently, programs that only provide cryptic identity, I do not feel
comfortable using it. One of the reviews stated that it did not include
an uninstall program. How do I uninstall the program? Where is it located on
the hard drive?
Thanks for all help provided. Perhaps there's is an easy to use,
understandable way?

 

[wally]

Before you do anything make a system restore point to undo any vital
changes.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx

After that.......

Download TuneUp Utilities 2006 (its free for 30 days) and use the StartUp
Manager that it contains.
http://www.tune-up.com/info/lp/tuneup-utilities/?ap=1646

It shows the app, the manufacturer and a "Trustworthiness" rating. You can
delete the entries or simply uncheck them to stop them from starting up. I
suggest you just uncheck the entries that you think you don't need. That
way, if you accidentally uncheck something you need, you can just start the
StartUp Manager and re-check it.

You can also try the free WinPatrol app at
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/WinPatrol/winpatrol.html. It shows you all
available info on the files/processes that start with your PC and shows
where the file is located on your hard drive. It does not uninstall the
app, but finding which app to uninstall should be rather easy with all of
the file and path info provided.

This is about as easy as it gets.

If you want to know what each file or entry does, there is an app called
WinTasks that will tell you that info for just about any file, but they do
not have a free version ($39 for Pro I think).

A freeware app that (although not an easy interface for a novice user due to
the huge amount of info thrown at you) that also will sow you online info
(program name, company name, etc.) for any running process is What's
Running. You can DL it at
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Whats_Running/whatsrunning.html.

One of these should do the trick.