Not Sure Which Startup Programs To Remove

woodbine · 22 May 2016

I'm in the process of some amateur optimisation of my desktop pc, using Windows 7 and IE. To improve performance and start up time, it seems to be a good idea to disable unused programmes from the startup. Trouble is, I'm not sure what a lot of them are for.

I realise it's difficult for others to know what I do or don't use. I mainly use my pc for the internet and don't use any games - if that helps. If someone could tell me which startups are vital, and which ones I could lose, that would help. Perhaps also some ideas what the obscure ones are on the list, eg. Realtek HD, Mywinlocker, EgisTec, MUI Startme?

Also;

1) I don't even have a Google tool bar, so I assume I'm safe to disable it?

2) Not sure what a hotkey utility is, but I'm sure I don't use it. Anyway, a box regularly comes up saying it has stopped working

3) Can I remove the Norton programme (Norton Online Backup) altogether? It came with the pc, and I don't use Norton.

Thanks for any help.

UsernameIssues · 22 May 2016

That config tool only shows a portion of what happens at start up. Even if you disable an app via that config tool, parts of the "disabled" app can still impact your start up time and other aspects of your computer's performance (e.g. the time that it takes to display context menus). Before you use the system config tool to disable start up stuff, uninstall stuff.

Look in Programs and Features and uninstall Skype, Norton, Google toolbar, ....

I would also suggest that you uninstall Adobe Acrobat and look into using SumatraPDF. See this thread for more details Need a pdf reader.

As for the hotkey utility, it probably came with the computer. I might be used to start apps from special keys on the keyboard (e.g. Internet key should start your default browser). If you don't use those keys, you can disable that start up entry and see how things work for you. You can always re-enable the entry later on - if need be. You can tell more about that hotkey app if you expand the column that let's us see the folder that the hotkey app is starting from.

re: Realtak HD, Mywinlocker, EgisTec, MUI Startme
Maybe other forum members can speak to those.

torchwood · 22 May 2016

On a further note that comp also came with a couple of trial programs
McAfee, Office 2007, Mywinlocker.
Uninstall them with the>>Offical<< uninstallers not from Uninstall progs, include Norton as well.
MUI is part of Cyberlink, keep that but set it to manual in services.

Roy

Digital Life · 22 May 2016

I usually use CCleaner to disable Start up programs.

It's in Tools > Startup

Not Sure Which Startup Programs To Remove-startup-programs.png

Edit: I would disable Adobe, Better idea would be to uninstall it unless you somehow make money off it.