Startup

[Elaine]

How do I remove some programs from the start up menu? My pc takes ages to start up and I think it's because there are too many programs lauched when the pc is started up.

Elaine

[Buenchico]

Go to Start > Run
Type 'msconfig' (without the quote marks) and hit 'Enter'
Click the 'Startup' tab
Click to remove the ticks alongside unwanted programs.
Click 'Apply', then 'OK'.

When you restart your computer, you'll get a message telling you that you're using Selective Startup. Click to accept 'Do not show this message again'.

The above technique leaves you free to simply place a tick alongside programs again if you decide that you do need them at startup after all.

If you're really sure that you definitely don't want certain programs, follow the instructions above but, after removing unwanted ticks, click 'Cleanup'. That will completely remove the programs from the list and (because you've not left any boxes unticked) you won't see the 'selective startup' message when you next boot your PC.

Chris

[rojash]

Or simply:
Click Start/Programs/Startup
Right-click the unwanted item, choose delete

[Ethel]

Roj - my startup folder is hempty - but I do have programs in my start up under msconfig,.

Weird?

[vehelpfulguy]

There is a great little program called WinPatrol that may help. You can get it from here for free.

http://www.winpatrol.com/

This lists all your start up programs, and has an INFO button which explains what each of them is.

It also has a "Delayed start" option which allows you to set a program to start after a delay so you dont get everying starting at once.

WinPatrol will also monitor your computer and alert you when anyone tries to install a new program (maybe without your knowledge) or change your internet home page and so on.

You have a chance to say NO and stop it happening before it can cause problems.

Great little program.

[matt1e]

there are also some programs that are ran from the registry typically HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
and other keys starting with run.

[matt1e]

oh and not weird at all ethel! your startup folder is just one of the many ways a program can start at windows boot up heres a helpful link
http://www.aumha.org/a/loads.php

[rojash]

Ethel, not that weird - the others are probably in the All Users startup folder:

Start/Programs/Startup - Right-click, choose "explore all users"

[Buenchico]

Rojash:

I suggest you try the 'msconfig' route and take a look at the 'loaded from' column. On my PC there are 7 processes loaded from shortcuts within the Startup folder but a further 21 processes loaded directly from the registry.

Start>Programs>Startup only displays the shortcuts within the Startup folder. That's why I advised Elaine to run msconfig.

Chris

[rojash]

Yes, Chris, I'm fully aware of that, but the original question specifically asked "...from the start up menu?"