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Step 1
Right-click on the "Start" button on the Windows taskbar. By default, this button is green and located at the lower left-hand corner of the screen. Select the "Explore" option from the drop-down menu. A window will open that allows you to browse through all of your system's files.
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Step 2
Locate the folder list on the left-hand side of the window. Click once on the plus sign next to the "Documents and Settings" folder to expand it. The "Documents and Settings" folder is located within the C: drive. Click once on the plus sign next to the "Administrator" folder within the "Documents and Settings" folder. Expand the "Start Menu" folder, and then expand the "Programs" folder located within the "Start Menu" folder. Double-click on the "Startup" folder to view the contents in the right-hand side of the window.
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Step 3
Scroll through the programs listed. Delete the shortcuts to programs you do not want to start automatically when the computer starts. Program icons that are deleted will no longer run unless they are manually opened.
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Step 4
Locate a program you want to add to the folder. Right-click on the program's icon and select "Create Shortcut" from the drop-down menu. Your computer will create a shortcut in the same folder. Right-click on the shortcut and select "Copy" from the drop-down menu. Right-click within the "Startup" folder and select "Paste" to add the program to the folder. The program will now start automatically when the computer is turned on.
