Configure Auto-Starting Aplications

How can I easily control what applications will run when my computer starts?

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If you want to edit the startup locations manually, just look at the following REGISTRY keys:

HKU\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKU\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You should also look in the startup folders for all users and the current version.

If you're using Windows 9X or ME, you have the MSCONFIG utility to control what loads in your Startup Group, as well as from various places in the Registry.

Windows XP brings back MSCONFIG as a native tool and that version of MSCONFIG will work great in Windows 2000. You can download the XP version of MSCONFIG from HERE (64kb).

To make your life easier, take a look at 3 cool freeware applications that can easily help you do what you want.

AutoRuns

From Sysinternals. This applet shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login. These programs include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. You'll probably be surprised at how many executables are launched automatically.