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View Full Version : How to prevent software from starting with the pc?

Man
06-24-2005, 02:51 PM
hey guy, I know that this is such a noob question to ask but i simply don't know how to stop some programs of starting along with the rest of the system. the only software i managed to take care of was msn [it's just obvious], but i don't know how to proceed with the other ones.

when i turn on my pc i have to wait more than a minute to start using it [it's not a really crappy machine, i have a p4 1,7 ghz with 1gb of ram - it may not be the best for 3d but to run windows i think it's more than enough!]. when i erase everything from it and just install windows it runs pretty well actually, but i just have to install my softwares and hardware in order to make it slow [to start]. there isn't any spyware or virus in it to, just to clarify.

someone please help me =/

thanks
SkyZero
06-24-2005, 03:05 PM
Depending on the programs you don't want to start with windows you can disable them in their own properties settings from within the program itself.

Otherwise if you're running Windowx 9x/Me/XP (now Windows 2000) you can go to:

- Start -> Run -> type MSCONFIG and hit Enter

There are a list of tabs at the top and the one you want to get to says Start-up or something to that effect.

Just uncheck the ones you don't want to start when Windows boots up. Be careful not to uncheck your anti-virus or whatever protective software you have installed.

It'll ask you to reboot and that should be that.
enygma
06-24-2005, 03:53 PM
Another place to check as well is the registry (I just tried MSCONFIG on windows XP Pro SP2 without luck).

In regedit, there are 2 places you can go.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

The area to look is the same in both areas.

SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Run

In that area, you will find a bunch of registry entries of applications that will load up on boot. You can delete registry keys as necessary. Those applications should no longer launch on boot, unless that application is run and remakes the registry entry, in which case, find a way to disable loading on boot in the app, then delete the key again.

Also a good reason to keep this location in the registry in mind, it tends to be a place where a lot of viruses will dump their registry entries as well. Main reason is so that it keeps the virus running, even on boot. I found that some viruses, I had to go as far as removing the registry entry, disabling Windows Recovery, booting into Safe Mode, and running virus scan.
Hazdaz
06-25-2005, 01:19 PM
What ENYGMA said is where you have to go if you have already changed the applications settings and if you have already taken everythuing out of the Startup menu. JUST BE WARNED - don't screw up with the registry, or else your PC might not boot up again. The registry is very powerful, but at the same time, if your not too familiar with the way it works, you can scew up alot of important things in there.
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06-25-2005, 01:19 PM
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