Startup Programs

[pop pop]

I should know this and I've seen it discussed here somewhere before... things that run on startup (and put icons on the taskbar) are out of control on my system. I know I can "end process" in Task Manager, but I want to just totally not allow them to start. They are things I don't use or very rarely use but are eating up system resources. Things like MoneyExpress, InCD, an Ipod thing associated with Itunes, etc. What's the best way to not allow them to start?

P.S. I'm not good with the registry.:rolleyes:

[PrntRhd]

pop pop,
It depends on the OS.

You should check Startup folder in Programs first, remove any items you don't want to start.

also:
With 98 it is system config utility
With XP it is Administrative Services

Which one of your PCs are you trying to speed up?

[jlreich]

I don't know if it is the best way, but when I can't seem to stop things from starting up from the programs settings, I use Spybot's tools-system startup to uncheck what I want to get rid of.

[Budfred]

You can also use HijackThis to disable some programs from startup, but you would need to post a log to make sure you didn't disable something essential...

[pop pop]

There is nothing in the Startup folder (I looked there first) except ZAP. I don't know much about the registry but all these items seem to be started via a registry entry, if that is possible. I run W2K and looked somewhere, System Information->Running or Loaded Modules, I think. All that gave me was the module name and the location of the registry entry. There was no way to enable/disable them. I know there is a way to control system drivers, things like svchost.exe and such. I remember seeing something on BlackViper about setting them to auto/manual or disabled. But those were system drivers, not these apps. I also seem to recall that there are some third party utilities that tell you what is loading on startup (HJT?) and one or more that actually enable you to prevent them from running ... I just don't remember the names. I've used Spybot for a long time and didn't know it could do that, too.

[Budfred]

In Spybot, run it in Advanced Mode and look in the Tools....

[gav]

Pop Pop

In win2K if you go control panel/administrative tools/services you get a list of everything that starts when your computer starts.

Find the item you want to stop starting at start up, highlight it and double click then in the 'startup type' select 'disable' from the drop down list, then Ok your way out.

I think this will stop those apps from starting for you.

Obviously re-boot to verify

[PrntRhd]

Try this program from Mike Lin (free) for a little control applet for startup controls: http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

[Steve]

I second Budfreds idea to use HJT. It is very easy to disable the 04 items, effectively stopping the program from running at startup. You probably wouldn't even need to post a log. Just check the startup item with THIS (http://computercops.biz/modules.php?name=StartupList) list. Once you identify the startup item, you can decide whether to disable it or not.

[Mark Miller]

pop pop,
I use this program called tweak xp that is rated one of the best at what it does which is to tweak your system safely.
One of the tool is exactly what you are looking for.
You can try a free trial version to see if you like it.
Below is link
http://www.totalidea.com/frameset-products.htm
Mark
I have been thinking about this for about 20 minutes and it dawned on me that most programs in either their options or preferences have a little box of whether to start at boot or not.
Look at this first

[pop pop]

All good stuff guys, thanks. I've just started tweeking using a couple of methods and my free RAM has jumped appreciably.

Thanks again.