Version: 2008
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Comments on: Clear unwanted apps from Windows' Startup list

Windows can load quicker when you disable programs you don't need at start-up. Plus, stop Msconfig from opening automatically when Windows starts.

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by sevenalive January 10, 2008 1:10 AM PST
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
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by Littleseamus January 10, 2008 3:15 AM PST
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?
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by Drpixelphd2 January 10, 2008 6:57 AM PST
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"........
by jasonblue January 10, 2008 3:53 AM PST
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.
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by Drpixelphd2 January 10, 2008 7:00 AM PST
Good Suggestion! Running a good copy of XP Pro will make a Mac worth owning! If there is such a thing.........
by Maarek Stele January 10, 2008 10:17 AM PST
Is that your answer for everything? I've seen MACs take longer than PCs ever had.
by mitechman January 14, 2008 5:31 AM PST
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.
by jshee42 January 10, 2008 4:03 AM PST
BAAAD ARTICLE! now users with little knowledge about what those programs actualy do will stop thier antivirus programs from starting.

Good job. Really.
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by A_N_Onymous January 10, 2008 7:13 AM PST
checkout Autoruns from Sysinternals (now part of MS)
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by AndrewRich January 10, 2008 10:51 PM PST
Way better than MSConfig is Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel. http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
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by menotbug February 16, 2008 1:56 PM PST
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.
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About Workers' Edge

Dennis O'Reilly has covered PCs and other technologies in print and online since 1985. Along with more than a decade as editor for Ziff-Davis's Computer Select, Dennis edited PC World's award-winning Here's How section for more than seven years. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET.

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