How to Change a Vista Startup Order
During the startup process of the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, pre-specified programs are designated to launch and run. Examples of these programs include anti-virus and anti-malware tools, network utilities and Windows Update. To change the order of startup programs in the Vista operating system, a third-party tool is required. Several free utilities are available on the Web that will assist the user in accomplishing the task of changing the order of startup applications in Vista. Freeware and shareware applications include, among others: Startup Control Center, Quick Startup and Autoruns for Windows. After evaluating these tools, findings conclude that the Startup Control Center application is the most effective for changing the order of startup programs. While the other applications allow for including or disallowing the startup program to run at startup, the Startup Control Center enables the user to move a program up or down in the order of the startup list.
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Instructions
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Launch a Web browser and navigate to one of the startup utility applications.
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Download and install the trial or free version of the application. Note: The download of the Startup Control Center application the full version, with a 15-day evaluation.
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Click the Windows “Start” button and select “All Programs.”
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Navigate to the “Startup Control Center” folder in the Programs list, and expand the folder.
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Right-click on the “Startup Control Center” program link and select “Run as Administrator” from the context menu. Windows Vista will display a dialog box verifying the program should be run as administrator.
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Click the “Allow” button to continue.
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A dialog box will appear notifying the user of the trial period remaining for the Startup Control Center. Click “Continue” to proceed.
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Click “OK” at the “Welcome” screen to run the application. A window will appear showing all startup process for all users.
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Click the “+” button next to each collapsed folder to expand.
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Uncheck the checkbox in front of a startup application to disallow the program from running at startup. Each time a checkbox is checked or unchecked, Vista will ask the user to Allow or Deny the change with a dialog box.
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Right-click on a folder, and then select “Change Load Order” from the context menu. A grid dialog box will appear allowing the user to specify the load order of applications during the startup process. Repeat to edit each folder.
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Enter the load order (1=first, 2=second, etc.) into the first column of the Change Load Order screen. When finished, click the “OK” button.
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Reboot the computer and visually inspect to verify the new load order of startup programs.
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Tips & Warnings
To activate the full version of the Startup Control Center, purchase a license key from Sure Shot Software for $20. Follow instructions provided in the Help section of the application.
