Want to clean-up my Startup but MSCONFIG not helping

[Michael B.]

I have a bunch of programs that I "unchecked" in the MSConfig / Startup
window. They are completely useless as many of them, the programs have
already been uninstalled or are old versions. The problem is that I cannot
DELETE them inside MSConfig! There is just no option for that.

I downloaded and tried using a program called EF Startup Manager, but that
one doesn't even show the unchecked ones.

Anyone have an IDEA how to get rid of those unwanted ones inside my Vista
Ultimate setup?

 

[fourteen]

I have a bunch of programs that I "unchecked" in the MSConfig / Startup
window. They are completely useless as many of them, the programs have
already been uninstalled or are old versions. The problem is that I
cannot DELETE them inside MSConfig! There is just no option for that.

I downloaded and tried using a program called EF Startup Manager, but that
one doesn't even show the unchecked ones.

Anyone have an IDEA how to get rid of those unwanted ones inside my Vista
Ultimate setup?

Windows Defender...Tools...Software Explorer...Show For All Users...Disable
or if absolutely sure Remove

 

[BChat]

http://www.paulsxp.com/help/reg23.html


d/l this script - turn UAC off and run it.
It is an XP script, but I have been using it with Vista w/o any issues since
Vista beta.

I cannot guarantee what will happen on your machine,
just tell you what happens on mine ;-)

Bill





I have a bunch of programs that I "unchecked" in the MSConfig / Startup
window. They are completely useless as many of them, the programs have
already been uninstalled or are old versions. The problem is that I cannot
DELETE them inside MSConfig! There is just no option for that.

I downloaded and tried using a program called EF Startup Manager, but that
one doesn't even show the unchecked ones.

Anyone have an IDEA how to get rid of those unwanted ones inside my Vista
Ultimate setup?

 

[Doug]

I have a bunch of programs that I "unchecked" in the MSConfig / Startup
window. They are completely useless as many of them, the programs have
already been uninstalled or are old versions. The problem is that I
cannot DELETE them inside MSConfig! There is just no option for that.

I downloaded and tried using a program called EF Startup Manager, but
that one doesn't even show the unchecked ones.

Anyone have an IDEA how to get rid of those unwanted ones inside my
Vista Ultimate setup?

You can also try Autoruns from Sysinternals found here

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Utilities/AutoRuns.mspx

This will delete startup items from the registry.

 

[Thai Berry \(U.S.\)]

forget about what these amateur vistaboys are telling you.

Get what the Pro's use... Free and from MS
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Utilities/AutoRuns.mspx

 

[Guest]

It is a pity that you don't know how to read!

forget about what these amateur vistaboys are telling you.

Get what the Pro's use... Free and from MS
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Utilities/AutoRuns.mspx

 

[Michael B.]

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions!

However, it's still NOT POSSIBLE to delete the un-CHECKED items that one
sees in MSCONFIG. I know that they don't load-up during the start, but I
would like to just get rid of them entrees since many of those stem from
programs which are no longer on the computer.

By the way, if I try to go directly to .....CurrentVersion\Run directory in
the REGISTRY, they don't show up either.

But they MUST be somewhere, right?

Thanks for all the help!

P.S. I realize that if I ENABLE those guys that I can then DELETE them
after the next startup (since they will be placed back into the RUN
registry), but I am trying to figure out if there is another way.

Since they are unchecked, none of the suggested programs here actually show
them at all.

 

[AJR]

If items related to uninstalled appliction are still listed - application
were not correctly or completely uninstalled.

There are many "run" and "load" entries in the Registry - checking one or
two keys will not do it. If an item is listed in msconfig as being "lodged"
in a Registry "run"
key but is not lised under the "Start" group on the All Programs menu - it
will not be there!

Get a cup of coffee (or whatever is your thing) and get ready to spend time
searching the Registry (Edit>find and Find Next) by application name and/or
designation in msconfig startup in msconfig startup

Also verify via Explorer, that there are no remaining folders from
uninstalled applications.

You do not address specfic entries, hofwever previou installs of printers
and AV are common culprits.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a bunch of programs that I "unchecked" in the MSConfig / Startup
window. They are completely useless as many of them, the programs have
already been uninstalled or are old versions. The problem is that I
cannot DELETE them inside MSConfig! There is just no option for that.

I downloaded and tried using a program called EF Startup Manager, but
that one doesn't even show the unchecked ones.

Anyone have an IDEA how to get rid of those unwanted ones inside my
Vista Ultimate setup?

Remember, Msconfig was designed to be a troubleshooting tool, not a
"startup configurer." Use MSConfig to determine the location of the
command that is attempting to start the program, and remove it. 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.

This Knowledge Base Article refers to WinXP, but the same
principles apply in Vista:

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


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Michael B.]

Thanks for your suggestion but the link only provides a way to CHECK or
UNCHECK the programs in the MSCONFIG

I want to DELETE the entrees completely.

 

[Michael B.]

Appreciate the help but I have checked ALL of the registry places I can
think of, but the references to the UNCHECKED startup programs seem to be
only references. I just want to delete the REFERENCES. Can't imagine
where they are being held in the registry.

 

[Chris Sidener]

I have a bunch of programs that I "unchecked" in the MSConfig / Startup
window. They are completely useless as many of them, the programs have
already been uninstalled or are old versions. The problem is that I
cannot DELETE them inside MSConfig! There is just no option for that.

I downloaded and tried using a program called EF Startup Manager, but that
one doesn't even show the unchecked ones.

Anyone have an IDEA how to get rid of those unwanted ones inside my Vista
Ultimate setup?

A very good Control Panel Applet

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

Chris

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Appreciate the help but I have checked ALL of the registry places I can
think of, but the references to the UNCHECKED startup programs seem to
be only references. I just want to delete the REFERENCES. Can't
imagine where they are being held in the registry.

MSConfig tells you that.


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

AutoRuns from Sysinternals is a bit more complicated, but it'll provide
the same (and much more) information:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/SystemInformation/Autoruns.mspx


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Cleanup the MSCONFIG startup tab listings in Windows XP and Windows Vista:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/msconfig.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I have a bunch of programs that I "unchecked" in the MSConfig / Startup
window. They are completely useless as many of them, the programs have
already been uninstalled or are old versions. The problem is that I cannot
DELETE them inside MSConfig! There is just no option for that.

I downloaded and tried using a program called EF Startup Manager, but that
one doesn't even show the unchecked ones.

Anyone have an IDEA how to get rid of those unwanted ones inside my Vista
Ultimate setup?

 

[Michael B.]

That IS a great applet. That's what I used when I had Windows XP, but it
doesnt not work with VISTA!

I even wrote the author but never got a reply if he will put out a Vista
version.

 

[Michael B.]

Ramesh,

You GOT it!

This was EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thank you so much!

never knew about these other REGISTRY entrees:

-------------------
The disabled entries are present in these locations:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Shared Tools \ MSConfig \
startupreg
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Shared Tools \ MSConfig \
startupfolder
--------------------

Cleanup the MSCONFIG startup tab listings in Windows XP and Windows Vista:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/msconfig.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I have a bunch of programs that I "unchecked" in the MSConfig / Startup
window. They are completely useless as many of them, the programs have
already been uninstalled or are old versions. The problem is that I cannot
DELETE them inside MSConfig! There is just no option for that.

I downloaded and tried using a program called EF Startup Manager, but that
one doesn't even show the unchecked ones.

Anyone have an IDEA how to get rid of those unwanted ones inside my Vista
Ultimate setup?

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome, Michael!

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,

You GOT it!

This was EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thank you so much!

never knew about these other REGISTRY entrees:

-------------------
The disabled entries are present in these locations:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Shared Tools \ MSConfig \
startupreg
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Shared Tools \ MSConfig \
startupfolder
--------------------

Cleanup the MSCONFIG startup tab listings in Windows XP and Windows Vista:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/msconfig.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I have a bunch of programs that I "unchecked" in the MSConfig / Startup
window. They are completely useless as many of them, the programs have
already been uninstalled or are old versions. The problem is that I cannot
DELETE them inside MSConfig! There is just no option for that.

I downloaded and tried using a program called EF Startup Manager, but that
one doesn't even show the unchecked ones.

Anyone have an IDEA how to get rid of those unwanted ones inside my Vista
Ultimate setup?