How to Alter Startup Programs in Windows XP

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posted on 18 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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If you've been using Windows XP for a while, you may have noticed that your computer is taking longer to boot up. This is because programs are adding themselves to your start up, and they all have to load before you can start using the computer. Just follow the simple steps below and your computer will start a lot faster!

Steps

MSConfig

Open Microsoft's System Configuration Utility (called MSConfig). Go to START -> Run, and enter msconfig. Hit enter to start the program. The following window should appear. Choose Selective Startup.Alter Startup Programs in Windows XP Step 1Bullet1 Version 2.jpg If Run is not found in the Start Menu, to add the "Run command": Right click Start -> Properties -> select tab "Start Menu" -> Customize -> Customize Start Menu -> check the Run box -> Apply -> OK . Alter Startup Programs in Windows XP Step 1Bullet2 Version 2.jpg

Click on the 'Startup' tab. Here, you will see a list of programs that is similar to the one below:

Uncheck any programs that you do not want Windows to run at startup.

Click 'OK'. A new window will appear, asking you to restart your computer.

Click 'Restart.'

Windows Defender

Download Windows Defender from Microsoft.

Click on the Start menu. Click All Programs and then select Windows Defender.

Choose Tools and the Software Explorer.

Click the names of the programs in the Name column that you want to disable. When you are finished, click Disable.

Registry Editor

Open the Start menu and click Run. Type regedit into the field.

Locate 1 of the following registry keys: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunAlter Startup Programs in Windows XP Step 11Bullet1 Version 2.jpg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceAlter Startup Programs in Windows XP Step 11Bullet2 Version 2.jpg

Find the program that you want to remove from the startup sequence. Delete that one program from either or both of those registry keys. Caution: Do not delete other items in regedit that you see. Many may be unknown, peculiarly named system files. You could easily disable program associations, needed services, make the system fail or to be unstable.