How to Remove Blocked Startup Programs

When some computer programs are installed they can set themselves up to start running processes whenever the computer is first turned on or during what is called boot-up. Many times these programs take up more memory than a user likes and the system starts slowing down. As a result, some people go in and block these startup programs from running when the system boots up. If a program that has been blocked isn't used for a while, the computer user may decide he wants to uninstall the blocked program. This is a simple step-by-step process for manually removing such programs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Start Menu

   Click on the Start Menu in the lower left-hand corner of your desktop. Select the Control Panel option to open the Control Panel dialog window.

2. 
    
   Control Panel

   Click on the Programs and Features icon from within the Control Panel window. Alternately in older operating systems, click on the Add or Remove Programs icon in the Control Panel Window. This will open another window with a list of installed programs.

3. 
    
   Installed program listing

   Select the program that you wish to uninstall by clicking on it, then click on the Uninstall button in the top options above the programs listing.

4. 
    
   A typical uninstall wizard

   Click on the "Yes" button if Windows asks for permission to continue. In addition, many programs will launch an uninstall wizard. Click "Yes" through the wizard after reading your options to continue the uninstall process.

5. Reboot the computer. All of the programs and portions of programs you indicated in the uninstall process should be removed from your computer system.

Tips & Warnings

• It is better to leave a program alone if you may want to use it again.
• Never turn off a computer during a uninstall process.

References

• How to Manually Remove Programs