Programs on Start up removal?

elisebutt65

D'uh - I've forgotten how to stop programs running when the pc boots up. I've got XP and I know how to get things off the start menu which is all I get when I try Help and Support - I just need to know how to stop my phone connection thingy popping up everytime I start up the pc..TIA

GunJack

msconfig maybe ??

or, maybe a safer and less permanent way, if you have windows defender or Spybot s&d, there are tools in there which will allow you to disable the registry start-up key which stops the unwanted programs from starting up on bootup....

d123

The easiest (and free) tool is called CCleaner. Download and run it, one of the options is the startup menu.

http://www.ccleaner.com/

GunJack

d123 - have used CCleaner for a few years, but not used the startup tool - may have to investigate.....I like the way Spybot does it, allows disabling without having to delete.

elisebutt65

I thought there was an easier way to do this already in the Windows set up, rather than dl'ing something else???

I''ll give spybot or CC cleaner ago tomorrow - just trying to get rid of this Windows Antivirus 2008 thing at the mo with superantispy - sigh - McAffee is useless!!!

GunJack

Yup , McAff is carp...get free Avast instead, and ensure to remove all traces of nasty McAss. Good luck with spybot...it does work well for what you want.

Donnie

Start > Run > type msconfig > Start Up > Un-tick the offending item....

d123

elisebutt65 wrote: »

I thought there was an easier way to do this already in the Windows set up, rather than dl'ing something else???

I''ll give spybot or CC cleaner ago tomorrow - just trying to get rid of this Windows Antivirus 2008 thing at the mo with superantispy - sigh - McAffee is useless!!!

We have just had that 2008 virus (and it is a virus, not just an annoying program) on a PC you need to remove it not just disable it. Use Spybot Search and Destroy, it was the only program that removed all the elements of that Antivirus 2008.

KorkyKat

But...the very best way is to get a copy of AutoRuns by Microsoft. Not only will it tell you what is running but where it is. You can also get information on each item at the click of the mouse.

Don't go deleting things if you don't know what you are doing!

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

You'll find the start up items under the Log On tab in the programme.

Beware of CC cleaner!! Unless you know the ropes you may end up deleting important registry keys! Always worth doing a system restore before tinkering.

Excuse me if you know all this.

elisebutt65

OK- I used Superantispybot to get rid of WAV2008 - found it recommended in a previous post and it's fine now.

Then used msconfig as advised earlier to stop my phone connection programme starting up.

Didn't remove anything apart from virus or do any tinkering with registry (shudder).

Everything AOK now - thanks everyone:D

Reluctant_spender

Can I suggest that if you have/had WAV2008 that you also download and run the following programme to ensure all registry entries are gone;

Malware Bytes

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link 1
alternate download link 2

• Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
• Double-click on Download_mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
• When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
• When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked:
  • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
• Then click Finish.
• MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan. If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself. Press the OK button to close that box and continue.
• If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from here and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.
• On the Scanner tab:
  • Make sure the "Perform Quick Acan" option is selected.
  • Then click on the Scan button.
• The next screen will ask you to select the drives to scan. Leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button.
• The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient.
• When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found".
• Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process.
• Back at the main Scanner screen, click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
• When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to restart your computer. (see Note below)
• The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy and paste the contents of that report in your next reply and exit MBAM.

Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts. Click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.