I get so annoyed when I install applications only to find that other programs are installed in the background and set to run automatically at startup, without asking my permission. Major culprits are QuickTime, Adobe Acrobat, iTunes and anything from Logitech.
If you want to stop applications running at startup with Windows Vista, there are two ways you can go about this:
Using the System Configuration Utility: (more…)
Tired of the old Windows Vista default Boot Screen? Well then, there is a simple alternative solution involving nothing more than your copy of the operating system. And just a tad of tweaking, but nothing extensive, and certainly nothing that would cause Vista to become instable or unusable. The fact of the matter is that you will only have to make use of one of the system maintenance tools that ships by default with the platform. And of course that the first tool coming to mind is the System Configuration Utility, or msconfig.
In order to access the System Configuration Utility all you have to do is enter “msconfig” in the Search Box under the Start Menu. (more…)
The Windows XP logo that shows up during the boot process (called the “splash screen”) can be nice to look at, but it does slow your computer down slightly. Disabling this splash screen can help you boot up a little faster.
Follow these simple steps to disable the Windows XP splash screen using the System Configuration Utility, sometimes referred to as msconfig.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Disabling the Windows XP splash screen usually takes less than 5 minutes.
Here’s How: (more…)
Windows Vista’s User Account Control (UAC) is the new operating system’s most universally reviled feature. Sure, it helps protect you, but it also annoys you to no end.
If UAC drives you around the bend, you can turn it off. There are several ways to do it. One way is to choose Control Panel > User Accounts and Family Safety > User Accounts, then click Turn User Account Control on or off.
Alternately, you can run the System Configuration Utility (a.k.a. msconfig) by typing msconfig at the command line or search box. When the tool runs, click the Tools tab and scroll down until you see Disable UAC. Highlight it and click the Launch button, then reboot. To turn it back on again, follow the same steps and choose Enable UAC. (more…)
If you are able to identify the driver or application that’s causing a startup problem, the obvious solution is to remove it or turn it off. Unfortunately, it is not always obvious how to do that. Programs that load at startup can be called from Win.ini, from the Startup program group, or directly from the Registry itself; drivers that load are called from the device’s properties in the Registry, and it’s not easy or safe for a beginning technician to edit the Registry directly.
For example, suppose a user had a scanner with a driver that loaded at startup, but then he removed the scanner and its software. However, for some reason the Registry never got the message and still tries to load the scanner driver at startup. You could look in the Startup folder on the Start menu, and if a utility for the scanner appears there, remove it. You could also look in Add/Remove Programs to see whether the driver can be uninstalled that way. But failing those two, the only thing left to do is edit the Registry to get rid of it. (more…)
There are two ways to stop applications that start when you startup your computer at login. You can use the System Configuration Utility or the new Software Explorer in Windows Defender. Take a look at the two sections to get control over your startup applications and speed up your computer: (more…)
You may think a certain program is slowing your system down or actually hanging it for a few moments as soon as it boots. If so, try starting Windows in “lite” mode. Click Start | Run, then type msconfig and press Enter. When the System Configuration Utility loads, click the Startup tab; you’ll be surprised to see all the programs you’re loading at start-up. For info, Google the ones that are questionable or otherwise annoying before unchecking them, and reboot
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