startup junk

i've got abt 15 annoying processes which load with my PC. not windows stuff, mostly, but independent app stuff (lotta "search for update" processes...acrobat...google...hp printer...).

some i can disable via the individual apps, but most are just "there".

ALL of them i can disable by unchecking in msconfig/startup, otoh. this works great, but the system keeps "reminding" me that i'm now in "selective startup mode...for diagnostics". i.e., some kind of safe mode; not a permanent solution.

so is msconfig just a pass-thru, and they're actually represented somewhere ELSE i should be turning them off?

back in win98, there was an obvious "startup" folder (in sys32 or the like), but in XP there is none. well, not by that name anyways. where are startup apps/processes represented?

i know i could use startup cop or tweakui to disable them, but that feels like the same kind of kludge as msconfig. i'd rather know how to do it properly.

TIA!

 

Take a look at Autoruns. Finds absolutely everything that is starting up automatically, tells you where it's located, and lets you disable or re-enable it. Better than deleting imo.

 

I use the Startup feature of WinPatrol for that.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/WinPatrol_d3380.html

 

I'm a little confused by BOTH of them. Autoruns totally SWAMPS me with information, but I can't find ANY of the 15 or so apps/processes which are causing all the headaches.

WinPatrol had them listed more obviously. Still not thrilled with using a meta-app like this (cf earlier comments re: Startup Cop and TweakUI) but at this point, ok, I'll give it a go.

The dozen or so listed under "Startup Programs" (similar to MSConfig) were easy enough to kill off, but what about the few under "Services"? The ones that I'm trying to get rid of have "stop" shaded out (on "info" popup). For example, WasherSvc.exe. I use Windows Washer once in a while, but I don't want it permanently loaded!

Ditto "IDriverT.exe", "PsiService_2.exe" and "RoxLiveShare9.exe" (I think). "Stop" option not available for ANY of them...much less "delete".

Am I in the wrong PANEL in the first place? Really don't understand the point of identifying all the offending processes unless there's an obvious way to KILL them.

OTOH, I've somehow disabled the AVIRA scheduler -- which I hadn't planned on doing -- and NONE of these apps (or Avira app itself) seems capable of "enabling".

Not really a "scheduler" anyways -- I always have that "automated"-type stuff off -- but somehow critical even for the explicit "update now" link in Avira.

Sigh. Reinstall time?

 

With WinPatrol, go to the Startup list, click on the ones you don't want to start, then click Remove. They will still be available when you need their services.

 

There aren't IN the Startup list, just under "Services".

Like I said.