Clear unwanted apps from Windows' Startup list

One way to get Windows to load faster is by using the System Configuration utility (aka Msconfig) to disable programs that start unnecessarily when you boot the operating system. To view this list in XP, click Start>Run, type msconfig, press Enter, and click the Startup tab. In Vista, open your Startup list by pressing the Windows key, typing msconfig, pressing Enter, and clicking the Startup tab.

Be careful not to disable a program that your system needs to start properly. Paul Collins' Startup Applications List can help you determine whether a program is required, or if it can (and sometimes definitely should) be disabled. Play it safe by disabling the programs one at a time, and restarting your system to make sure everything's copacetic before disabling another and repeating the process.

After you uncheck an entry in the Startup list, it remains there, waiting for you to change your mind, I imagine. You can remove the unselected items by editing the Registry, but a simpler way is to use the free MSConfig Cleanup utility from Virtuoza. After you download and install the program, simply open it to view a list of the deselected items in your machine's Startup list. Check those you want to remove permanently and click Clean Up Selected to give the entries the boot for good.

The free MSConfig Cleanup utility removes unchecked items from Windows' Startup list.

Stop Msconfig from starting automatically
One of my Windows XP systems insisted on starting Msconfig every time it booted. I tried clicking Start>Run, typing Msconfig /auto, pressing Enter, and checking "Don't show this message or launch the System Configuration Utility when Windows starts," but the Selective Startup window still popped up whenever Windows opened, requiring me to click OK>Exit Without Restart.

I found a script written by Doug Knox called xp_nomsconfig.vbs that is intended to close the Selective Startup window once and for all, but it didn't work on my system, generating an error message about needing Administrator permissions to run the script. I opened the script in Notepad (right-click it and choose Open With>Notepad), and then noticed that it removed a particular Registry entry called MSConfigReminder. After opening the Registry Editor (click Start>Run, type regedit, and press Enter), I noticed that the entry wasn't located in the key referenced by the script, but was in another: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run (one level up from the key the script pointed to). I deleted the key, restarted the machine, and was delighted to see it start without Selective Startup appearing. Note that before you make any changes to your Registry, create a system-restore point, just in case.

Tomorrow: Troubleshoot Ubuntu Linux wireless-adapter woes.

[sevenalive]

Stupid article, been done hundreds of times. Try ccleaner, its better and has more features. MSconfig is not the only place things hide
User Programs > startup, all users programs > startup
Registry entry, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Value: Shell, data should be exactly: Explorer.exe

[Littleseamus]

Interesting article. I tried this and I was able to 'uncheck" startup aps, but somehow my computer won't chnage them as it "thinks" that I am not an administrator. But I am! Any suggestions?

[Drpixelphd2]

If it thinks you are not Admin, chances are your Base drive letter is not "C:\". If I am right, unplug all other drives showing in Windows Explorer. Reboot with just your hard drive and it should become "C". System Admin is only good on Drive "C". Nearly all references to a drive are to "C"........

[jasonblue]

Suggestions?? Yea, get a mac. You won't have any of these archaic issues to deal with again. That is unless you want to load XP or Vista on your mac. After all it will run these OS's faster than any PC.

[Drpixelphd2]

Good Suggestion! Running a good copy of XP Pro will make a Mac worth owning! If there is such a thing.........

[Maarek Stele]

Is that your answer for everything? I've seen MACs take longer than PCs ever had.

[mitechman]

That mac comment has nothing to do with this....As for mac, here is my thoughts on them- I hate them- we have 4 2006 and newer Imacs here at work with the large screens. They are very slow, mine has had memory go bad, it keeps taking almost 2 mins to startup and the others constantly having problems! I will always stay windows based PC at home! I also like being able to change settings with windows based systems. Oh, and who ever designed the stupid one button mouse on these macs should be shot. This thing is irritating to use. I swapped to a nice microsoft 2 button with scroll wheel.

[jshee42]

BAAAD ARTICLE! now users with little knowledge about what those programs actualy do will stop thier antivirus programs from starting.

Good job. Really.

[A_N_Onymous]

checkout Autoruns from Sysinternals (now part of MS)

[AndrewRich]

Way better than MSConfig is Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel. http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

[menotbug]

only n00bs use msconfig. besides using this causes XP to display startup options asking you if you want to start Windows XP or Windows XP with a 30 second countdown. better tools exist out their then msconfig. showing the average user about this tool only messes up their computer especially when they don't know what the hell they are doing. msconfig should only be used temporarily and for diagnostics and troubleshooting, but not to just turn off startup programs. I have seen time and time again, wannabe n00b techies use this only to mess up the system even more. The fact that I see the 30 second count down for a computer running XP tells me that some n00b has been there. Also if they do use the tool, they should know how to prevent XP from displaying that startup selection message.