Using msconfig to disable startup programs

[MadGamer]

Has your PC slowed down after you have installed programs and defragged your hard drive? Well there is no need to worry, you can use a little tool hidden away in Windows 98, ME and XP to sort this out. The tool is called msconfig.

Procedure
To get to the msconfig tool you need to go to start and then click on run. You then need to type msconfig in the run box and click OK or press enter.

After you have done that wait a few seconds and you should see a box come up with information and tabs across the top. Click on the STARTUP TAB ONLY!.

Once you have done this you will see a list of Programmes that are set to startup. You do not need all of them because they slow the system down so much that you will drive yourself to reformat and start again from scratch. Once in the startup tab you will see boxes down the left handside. Also at the bottom you will find an option called DISABLE ALL. Click this option. After you have done this DO NOT exit msconfig. stay within the startup tab because you will need to re enable programs such as your anti-virus and firewall. You do this by clicking on the appropriate boxes that represent these antivirus and firewall programs.

Once you have done that click APPLY.

Come ouyt of msconfig by clicking on the red or grey cross depending on your version of windows to come out of the msconfig tool.

You will then get a vox asking you if you want to restart now or later. Click on RESTART WINDOWS NOW.

After Windows has booted and you appear back at the desktop you will get another box saying the following message.

"You have used the system configuration utility to make changes to the way windows starts." You will then get a little tick box below saying "to avoid seeing this message again at startup tick this box." if the little box below with that precise text doesn't say it exactly it will appear with somthing similar. you then click on OK.

I hope this guide is helpful to the many people that may struggle.

WNA

[SOSAGES]

of course it may also cock everything up but works pretty much 99% of the time ..go for 1 tick box at a time to be sure .
disabling some programs isnt clever if u dont know what a certain exe or dll does then a quick google for the file will help you ..

[MadGamer]

Originally Posted by SOSAGES

of course it may also cock everything up but works pretty much 99% of the time ..go for 1 tick box at a time to be sure .
disabling some programs isnt clever if u dont know what a certain exe or dll does then a quick google for the file will help you ..

Absolutly spot on

[zendawn]

Personally I prefer to use HiJackThis to remove startup programs.
It doesnt just disable them it removes them fully from the start up msconfig menu, so you dont have to do a selective startup.
Of course you have to know what your removing.

[Chris W]

if you want a comprehensive list of everything that might appear in msconfig, and what they might do, see www.sysinfo.org/startuplist

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by monkeybreath

if you want a comprehensive list of everything that might appear in msconfig, and what they might do, see www.sysinfo.org/startuplist

Bloody hell! That is a comprehensive list!

[zendawn]

Originally Posted by monkeybreath

if you want a comprehensive list of everything that might appear in msconfig, and what they might do, see www.sysinfo.org/startuplist

Good Post explains everything in detail.

[Chris W]

Originally Posted by zendawn

Good Post, does anyone know why there are two versions of power managment in my startup list. I've heard it's a common thing?

P.s. Both versions are the type below so not virus's
LoadPowerProfileURundll32.exe powrprof.dll

Opps it does explain it on that link so no worrys.

official answer from m$ is here

hope that helps!

[ntl customer]

A rather more versatile version of the startup programs part of msconfig is available in the form of Startup Control Panel.

It enables you to rename, delete and disable startup tasks.

The startup part of msconfig does not seem to have changed since Windows 98 (or 85). Perhaps it is time Microsoft overhauled it and made it a little more flexible

[Theodoric]

Especially useful with Realplayer; I'm sure that that pesky program sticks 2 figures up at you every time you disable it and then promptly sneaks back in!