How Do You Manage the Windows Startup Programs?

Manage Windows startup programs to conserve system resources.

Managing the programs Windows loads at startup is an important step to avoid wasting memory and prevent performance issues such as slow response times. Even a newly purchased computer can suffer from program overload when factory settings place numerous programs in the Windows Start Menu. While you should configure anti-virus programs to start automatically, removing other programs, and then opening and closing them as you use each one, will increase the efficiency of computer resources.

Instructions

Windows XP

1. Access the System Configuration Utility from the Run text box. Click "Start," then "Run." Type "msconfig" in the Run text box and click "Enter."

2. Select the "Startup" tab and view the list of programs that run automatically at startup. Remove the check mark next to each program you want to disable. Click "OK" to exit the window.

3. Restart your computer to commit the changes you made.

Windows Vista

1. Access the Software Explorer in Windows Defender by clicking "Control Panel" in the Windows Start Menu, then "Programs." Select "Change Start Programs" to arrive at the Windows Defender Software Explorer.

2. View details on programs running on your computer. In addition to providing you with a list of Windows startup programs, Software Explorer provides information about the programs, such as the file type, path and location, as you select each one.

3. Remove startup programs you do not use. To remove a program, select the program and click the "Remove" button in the lower right corner of the screen.

4. Restart your computer to commit the changes you made.

Tips & Warnings

• An alternative to setting a program to start automatically is to pin a shortcut to the program in the Windows Start menu. Click "All Programs" in the Start menu, then right-click the program name and select "Pin to Start Menu."

• Windows Defender is not included in Windows XP, but is available for free download from the Microsoft website.

• Do not remove utility programs that affect the performance of your computer. If you are not sure whether you can safely remove a program, disable it by clicking the "Disable" button in the lower right corner of the screen. Restart your computer, and if it is working properly, go back and remove it. This procedure applies to Windows Vista only. If you use Windows XP, look up the file name on the Microsoft website, or download Windows Defender.

References

• WinXPTutor.com: Disable Startup Programs
• Vista4Beginners.com: Configure Startup

Resources

• Vista4Beginners.com: Improve Performance
• PACS-Portal.co.uk: Startup Applications
• Microsoft: Windows Defender Download