Many programs and utilities are set to start automatically when windows starts by default. Each program or utility that starts at windows startup is consuming memory and resources from your system and may be contributing to slowing down your system. Windows comes with a utility (System Configuration Utility), which allows you to control (to a certain extend) items that are set to start and startup. Trimming down the items to the essentials will allow windows to perform better usually.

Note:-

To Keep windows protected from Internet and other malicious threats you need to ensure that you:-

1. windows is up to date with service packs and latest windows updates
2. enabled and configuring a firewall
3. up-to date protection from Virus and other Treats

Handy Tip: Before making any changes to a system, create a system restore point, this way if you find that you are missing functionality and don't know why specifically, you can restore to previous known restore point.

 

For Windows XP and Windows Vista

There is many options but the two I've come to use are: (Both are now from Microsoft)

1. Microsoft's Own System Configuration Utility which comes as part of your operating system

To open system configuration utility , choose Start, Run, and Type "MSCONFIG" without quotation marks and click OK.

The Services and Startup Tabs highlight above, are the most frequently used locations for programs to create an entry which sets them to start at windows startup.

Services Tab

Note: the Hide all Microsoft Services checkbox will allow you to instantly see non-Microsoft Items in the list.

Startup Tab

Note: In the Windows System Configuration Utility any item that is checked is enabled and unchecked means its not se to start at startup.

Once you have made changes, you'll need to restart your computer for changes to take effect.

2. System Internals Autoruns which I've found to be the most thorough, you can download it free from:- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

            You Can Download Autoruns or Run it from the Windows Live Website Directly.

When you first launch Autoruns you'll be presented with:-

           

To Continue click on Agree

When Autoruns is launched it scans your system for a list of all places in windows (at least most), that a program can be set to startup from.

While the system is being scanned you must wait until the status bar reports ready.

Once your system has been scanned you can view all items form the various tabs that are set to start at startup.

An Item that is checked will start at Windows startup, unchecked items will not start, and you can toggle between checked and un-checked during restarts, that way if you find there is something that should be enabled you can check it to enable it to start at startup.

From the Options Menu of Autoruns, you can turn on Verify Code Signatures, which verifies that a program is digitally signed by a publisher and hide Microsoft Entries which hides common items from Microsoft entries some of which are needed for most installations.

 

Once you have set the options above, click on refresh from the Autoruns toolbar to update the list.

 

List of Recent articles

Below is a selection of articles that are currently available:-

• Guided Screenshots tour of settings permissions on Vista
• Using and configuring system restore
• Trimming down windows startup items
• Windows and updates
• XP Firewall and settings
• Useful windows utility list
• More articles coming soon