How to Disable Specific Startup Programs on Your PC

So many startup programs! I just can't take it anymore!

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Tired of constantly exing out windows and programs that automatically run upon startup of your PC, not to mention the extremely long time it takes for your computer to start up? Would you rather open these annoying programs manually instead of being burdened by them at startup? Although many programs give you the option to disable them upon startup, just as many are lacking in this -- consequently requiring you to find other means to not have them automatically run when you boot your PC. After reading this article, you will be able to enable and disable the programs that run when you start up your PC, and also know what programs and processes are running in the background to prevent any negative action toward your computer -- not to mention increased computer performance.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

PC with Windows Operating System (any edition)
Unused Startup Programs

Step1

Select the RUN option via the Start Menu. Startup your PC, and go to the START button on the task bar - then highlight and click RUN. If you are running a form of Windows Vista, the RUN option may not be located here. You must first right-click the task bar and select PROPERTIES. Select START MENU, click CUSTOMIZE and make sure the RUN COMMAND box is checked. You can also access the RUN option by pressing the Windows key (usually next to the left ALT key) and the "R" keys simultaneously.

Step2

Type RUN into the text bar and click OK. Type MSCONFIG into the text bar and click OK. A window should pop up entitled "System Configuration Utility." If you are running Windows 2000, and Windows 95, the System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG) option may not be available and can be downloaded for free at http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html.

Step3

Select the STARTUP option, and check/uncheck the boxes of the programs you wish to run upon startup. Once the System Configuration Utility window is up, select STARTUP and check or uncheck the boxes of the programs you would like/wouldn't like to run when your PC starts up. You may even find programs that are running in the background without your knowledge, but you will now have the option to disable them.

Tips & Warnings

Getting to know the System Configuration Utility is a useful skill -- it will boost your computer's performance and make you knowledgeable of the processes and programs that are running on your PC at any given time.
Until you have adequate knowledge of that program, don't check or uncheck boxes of programs that you are unsure of. Just leave it as is and look further into whether you need/don't need that program to run at startup.