Windows Tip: Stop Programs That Run on Boot

In Windows, you can set an application to launch every time you start the computer. It's a feature that can be either a constant irritation or a timesaver. Here's how you make -- or unmake -- a program load automatically when you start Windows. 




Any program with a shortcut in the Startup folder will automatically execute when you boot into Windows. To add a program: 

Right-Click on Start and choose Open.
Double-click Programs.
Double-click Start-Up and add a shortcut for any program you want to load automatically.
To remove a program from Start-Up, just delete the Shortcut. 


The registry location HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run contains the paths to programs that run when your computer boots. You can edit and remove (or add, for that matter) the path to any program you like. We highly recommend backing up your registry and exploring your other options before modifying the registry. 

In Windows 98 and later, you can run the program called MSConfig, which provides a simple user interface with checkboxes for modifying files that contain programs and utilities that run on startup. 


If you cannot find a specific program you want to remove with either of the steps above and you don't have Windows 98 or later, search your config.sys, autoexec.bat, win.ini, and system.ini files for the errant programs and drivers.