Help disabling HP ProtectTools

This issue is with an HP Desktop running Vista Ultimate that came with HP ProtectTools Security Management installed. I would prefer not to uninstall it - just have it not run on startup. I seem to be able to do this from msconfig, but the Malware Removal guide suggests that this is not a good long term solution.

I have googled for a way to do this for several hours now. Apparently the Security Manager should have a tab for disabling everything at startup, but it simply isn't there. And yes, I am running as an administrator.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

If it is a piece of software that isn't malicious or infected. Then unchecking it in msconfig is perfectly fine.

Doing that for a virus is not recommended since it really doesn't remove it.

 

And, if you experience problems trying to prevent the program from starting, you might look at the relevant startup service:

As an administrator or a user with admin rights, open the "Services" window (part of Administrative Tools) then:

> Scroll down to find "hpqwmiex" (sans quotes) under the "Name" column

> Right click on hpqwmiex and select "Properties"

> The "hpqwmiex Properties" window opens to the "General" tab

> Click the "Stop" button to halt the service

> Once the process stops, click the "Startup type:" drop list button (little down arrow) and select "Disabled"

> Click the "OK" button

The startup service is now disabled - you can close out of the "Services" window, reboot, and see if the program is in fact prevented from starting.