Windows 7 - stop programs booting up at start-up

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi... thanks for everyone's help yesterday.

I am still cleaning up my laptop, and have another (probably dozy) question. I've googled but the answers go over my head....

I have a number of programs that start automatically when I boot up my laptop, but which I rarely use (messenger, skype) So I want to disable them from start-up so I can simply click on the desk-top icon when I actually need to use them.

Is there a simple way to stop this?

Also are there likely to be other unnecessary programs running in the background that I don't know about, and if so how do I identify them?

Is there a simple (and safe!) program I could download to make the process easier?

Sorry if these are numpty questions!

Thanks for your help (again)

UncleZen

CCleaner (google for Piriform CCleaner) has a feature where you can disable & delete startup items.

QfanatiQ

I know with Skype and Messenger in the programs options you can turn off start on (erm) start up.

If you have any other applications starting up that you do not need when turning on firstly check these are not essential and then google that specific application on how to stop it.

Excuse me for thinking of you as a novice user, if you are
DONT use windows own internet explorer (IE)
Google firefox (or google's own chrome) and use one of those - if your a bit nore brave - check out internet browser Opera
Make sure you have antivirus
AVG is free
Also don't be afraid to have some other applications to scan occasionally, check out CCleaner and Spybot, Search and Destroy.

Report back any issues or difficulties.

Happy browsing
Q

edgex

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Hi... thanks for everyone's help yesterday.

I am still cleaning up my laptop, and have another (probably dozy) question. I've googled but the answers go over my head....

I have a number of programs that start automatically when I boot up my laptop, but which I rarely use (messenger, skype) So I want to disable them from start-up so I can simply click on the desk-top icon when I actually need to use them.

Is there a simple way to stop this?

Also are there likely to be other unnecessary programs running in the background that I don't know about, and if so how do I identify them?

Is there a simple (and safe!) program I could download to make the process easier?

Sorry if these are numpty questions!

Thanks for your help (again)

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/removing-startup-programs-in-windows-7/c2ff3fd1-3e32-46d9-9522-ec05034a2db1

On each program you don't want to start automatically, check its Options to see if it has the choice not to start (make sure you actually choose the option not to run it, not just a "don't show icon" option). Many can easily and best be stopped that way.

Also are there likely to be other unnecessary programs running in the background that I don't know about, and if so how do I identify them?

im going to assume that your unsure in this area, therefore do not touch!

use the method above, & only on programs you know, eg skype, messenger

rmg1

If you want it doing automatically, Google StartUpLite from the same people that made Malwaybytes.
Just run it and accept the changes.

jayjay2910

easiest and simplest way to change your start up list is go into start, type in the run/search box - "msconfig", will bring up a grey box with 4/5 tabs , go into the start up tab, and you will find a list of all the programs that are set to start when u fired up your computer, click in the hide mircosoft services box at the bottom of the page to save you stopping something important, then go through the remaining list and see what is set up to run. you will be surpised the amount of stuff that is in there, make sure to leave anti virus etc alone, but stuff like skype, msn, itunes etc can be turned off and you will see a quicker start up time

Lucero_2

The best method is msconfig. That will show you all the programs that run at startup.

Click on Start and type "Run" then press enter (or press the Win Key and R at the same time).

Type msconfig in the box.



From here, you can select which programs (you recognise) and untick them. Then reboot. To enable them again, just repeat the process but put a tick back in the box and restart.

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi, just to say thanks to everyone for your fast replies.

I'm not a novice internet user, and I do have antivirus etc (but thanks for looking out for me, I'd rather you mentioned these things than not!). But I am a novice when it comes to keeping my laptop running on top form (I just expect it to work....)

I'll have a go and come back with any questions (and no, I won't mess with anything I don't recognise!)

Thanks again!

Daisy