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    Looking for specific utility used to delete unwanted startup programs

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by pocketgamer, Jul 5, 2007.

  1. pocketgamer

    pocketgamer Notebook Consultant

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    There was a utility I use to use, but have forgotten the name of it and where to get it, but in essence it looks at what background processes are running on your computer and allows you to remove them.

    Along those same lines, in Vista, how do I go about controlling what software loads at startup, because my system tray is loaded with a bunch of stuff acer installed.

    Thanks
     
    pocketgamer, Jul 5, 2007
    #1
  2. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    ccleaner will do it.
     
    RogueMonk, Jul 5, 2007
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  3. Wingsbr

    Wingsbr NBR Decepticon NBR Reviewer

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    I think you are looking for autoruns.
     
    Wingsbr, Jul 5, 2007
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  4. redzapper

    redzapper Notebook Consultant

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    redzapper, Jul 5, 2007
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  5. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    I've always just used Start->Run->msconfig to remove any unwanted startup crap from Windows XP. Works pretty well unless you have something that insists on re-inserting itself every time it runs.
     
    Pitabred, Jul 6, 2007
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  6. Evolution

    Evolution Vox Sola

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    ^ I was wondering when someone was going to say msconfig, this is built into windows and cost you nothing to use :rolleyes: .
     
    Evolution, Jul 6, 2007
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  7. Overclocker

    Overclocker Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah, just do it manually. Take notes of what you check off so you can restore them if something necessary stops working. But in general, it's pretty sweet.
     
    Overclocker, Jul 6, 2007
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  8. Wingsbr

    Wingsbr NBR Decepticon NBR Reviewer

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    Autoruns is also free but more detailed in removing some of the other stuff running in the background.
     
    Wingsbr, Jul 6, 2007
    #8
  9. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    msconfig works on vista aswell except you get an a popup icon in the taskbar reminding you that you have blocked programs :p I want to turn that off.

    Id highly recomend msconfig to atleast use first it blocks all the programs from running but doesnt delete what little space they occupy on the hdd or registry so they are as good as deleted but... if you block somthing important you can just turn it back on.

    If you delete somthing important or fubar your registry you could be... you know the word.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Jul 6, 2007
    #9
  10. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    CCleaner does it as said above and has several other great tools.
     
    usapatriot, Jul 6, 2007
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  11. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    Quick Startup is also a nice free program that you can customize your startup programs and processes.
     
    adinu, Jul 6, 2007
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  12. pocketgamer

    pocketgamer Notebook Consultant

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    This ought to do the trick. I just wasn't sure how to find it in Vista. All is well now. I hope. :D
     
    pocketgamer, Jul 6, 2007
    #12
  13. zinfandel

    zinfandel Notebook Consultant

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    http://www.winpatrol.com/

    Even the free version has a place to control what programs start up. It also allows you to delay startup by an hour of any program for faster boots.
     
    zinfandel, Jul 8, 2007
    #13