Is there a website to see what is safe/unsafe to check in Autoruns?

I'd like to get a quicker boot time if possible on my machine. I know ive got a few things running and it appears a lot of things that probably arent system related.

Is there some place I can check to see what is safe or not safe to uncheck within Autoruns?

autoruns is a dangerous program to play about with if you aren't sure what you are doing.

a safer tool to use is probably the microsoft system configuration tool. type msconfig into your startmenu searchbox, and check out the 'Startup' tab, where you'll see a list of (mostly) third-party software that is set to autostart with windows.

you'll be able to untick any you don't need, which may well be most of them. make sure you don't disable anything associated with your antivirus software. it's simple to untick and reboot to see if everything still works as you want - if it doesn't then simply tick them back on.

Hello bob,

You can check blackviper.com for which services are okay to disable, but make sure you do not require the functionality that you are disabling.

You can clear the startup folder of all items, and even go into MSCONFIG and make sure only the startup programs that you want are loading.

Additionally, in my signature, you will find a link to optimize windows. You might consider checking it out.

While you are in msconfig go to serviced. Put a check in Hide all Microsoft Services. You will find all kinds of 3rd party services you might not need running on start up. All security services should be checked. The others I have unchecked.
You can do all of this just using Windows 7.

Identify and disable start-up programs from running.
Task List Programs - AnswersThatWork's

http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.phpWindows startup programs - Database search

Windows processes - File Inspect Library

Bleeping Computer Startup Programs Database

Application Database - Greatis Software

Now, I always make an OS Backup Image before I start playing in the unknown.
I use (and trust/tested) Acronis TI (paid), but there are other free Imaging programs.
I've burned myself before, lessons learned...

Layback Bear said:

While you are in msconfig go to serviced. Put a check in Hide all Microsoft Services. You will find all kinds of 3rd party services you might not need running on start up. All security services should be checked. The others I have unchecked.
You can do all of this just using Windows 7.

Click to expand...

This is the right answer! Unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing, you should leave all W7 stuff alone. But feel free to disable any/all 3rd party junk until you achieve the behavior you are looking for.

BlackViper is definitely not the site you want. My fingers grow weary of stating it, but let's just say there's a reason he's known as QuackViper.

You really shouldn't go in messing with services. You won't gain anything other than a greater chance of instability.

Using something like msconfig or CCleaner, which many of us install by default already, you can uncheck some programs that are set to run at boot. You typically don't need a website to tell you what si safe or not. You'll know by the file and it's description. For example, your anti-virus software, you know you want to run. Instant messenger programs and java updates, etc...you don't need to run at boot.

DeaconFrost said:

BlackViper is definitely not the site you want. My fingers grow weary of stating it, but let's just say there's a reason he's known as QuackViper.

You really shouldn't go in messing with services. You won't gain anything other than a greater chance of instability.

Using something like msconfig or CCleaner, which many of us install by default already, you can uncheck some programs that are set to run at boot. You typically don't need a website to tell you what si safe or not. You'll know by the file and it's description. For example, your anti-virus software, you know you want to run. Instant messenger programs and java updates, etc...you don't need to run at boot.

Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree. Blackviper lists services which are okay (stability wise) to disable. After reading the description of what each service does, and by following his "safe" guide, you can disable those which you do not need. If you later realize you need a service, you can set it back into its original state, no harm done.

In addition, Ccleaner has before, and can still potentially remove a registry item that you needed (Recently happened to me). It should only be used if you know what you are doing in the registry. I would highly recommend not installing this program as the performance gain from it is negligible at best.

I like what you said about MSCONFIG, and it is very good advice.

DustSailor said:

I respectfully disagree. Blackviper lists services which are okay (stability wise) to disable. After reading the description of what each service does, and by following his "safe" guide, you can disable those which you do not need. If you later realize you need a service, you can set it back into its original state, no harm done.

Click to expand...

You can disagree all you want, but on several forums, you'd be banned for even suggesting his site. Yes, it's been that bad over the years. It's been a long long time since anyone even really went around mentioning QuackViper's site. If we are making requests, I'd respectfully ask not to recommend his site, because his descriptions are often incorrect. Time and time again he's been the root cause of system issues. It's a proven fact that disabling Windows system files gains nothing in performance, so there's no reason to even consider it. Services in general should be left alone. Only in very unique situations, should third party services be manipulated.

DustSailor said:

In addition, Ccleaner has before, and can still potentially remove a registry item that you needed (Recently happened to me). It should only be used if you know what you are doing in the registry. I would highly recommend not installing this program as the performance gain from it is negligible at best.

Click to expand...

Again, CCleaner has been proven many times over to be safe, as it's default scans aren't very deep at all. You also have a one click backup to any changes that are made. No one has ever made a claim that CCleaner is about performance, because it isn't, and is in no way related to performance. It offers several great tools all in one, and has been recommended up and down these boards, on actual Enthusiast boards, and even in trade mags. Anytime someone posts a thread about how CCleaner messed up their system, the solution is always something else. It's very safe by default.

Honestly, it's like debating a website that gives detailed instructions on where to put the red R stickers on a car to make it faster. We could go back and forth until we both have arthritis, but if the concept is total crap from the beginning, we're both wasting our time. His website has never contained actual, correct, valid advice that yields anything positive in the performance area. That's why he is known as QuackViper and was shamed off the internet for a few years. He brought his site back online, but his credibility was already destroyed. It's a website best avoided.

DeaconFrost. Very well said.

DeaconFrost said:

DustSailor said:

I respectfully disagree. Blackviper lists services which are okay (stability wise) to disable. After reading the description of what each service does, and by following his "safe" guide, you can disable those which you do not need. If you later realize you need a service, you can set it back into its original state, no harm done.

Click to expand...

You can disagree all you want, but on several forums, you'd be banned for even suggesting his site. Yes, it's been that bad over the years. It's been a long long time since anyone even really went around mentioning QuackViper's site. If we are making requests, I'd respectfully ask not to recommend his site, because his descriptions are often incorrect.

Click to expand...

We have an enthusiast on our hands here. But everyone is enthusiastic about someting.
I've made no requests of anybody o.0

I would guess the reason someone would be banned for mentioning blackviper on a particular website would be because that particular site is against linking off-site. His descriptions are nothing more than the text microsoft itself implements into its own service's description. He does at times mention certain effects services can have on the user. But following his list (as I've done) can allow you to safely disable many services, and reenable them whenever you want. Don't believe his suggestions haven't been tested, they have. He has a forum you can look through to prove it. Disabling certain services can close "loopholes" in windows for security reasons, such as bluetooth and remote registry, if you don't use them. But I can see you are passionate on the matter. You are more than welcome to call blackviper "quackviper" all you want, it doesn't hurt my feelings. But I would "Request" you investigate further instead of making assumptions based off of what you've heard. I've tested all of these things and am only stating what I believe on experience.

DeaconFrost said:

Time and time again he's been the root cause of system issues. It's a proven fact that disabling Windows system files gains nothing in performance, so there's no reason to even consider it. Services in general should be left alone. Only in very unique situations, should third party services be manipulated.

DustSailor said:

In addition, Ccleaner has before, and can still potentially remove a registry item that you needed (Recently happened to me). It should only be used if you know what you are doing in the registry. I would highly recommend not installing this program as the performance gain from it is negligible at best.

Click to expand...

Again, CCleaner has been proven many times over to be safe, as it's default scans aren't very deep at all. You also have a one click backup to any changes that are made. No one has ever made a claim that CCleaner is about performance, because it isn't, and is in no way related to performance. It offers several great tools all in one, and has been recommended up and down these boards, on actual Enthusiast boards, and even in trade mags. Anytime someone posts a thread about how CCleaner messed up their system, the solution is always something else. It's very safe by default.

Click to expand...

Okay big boy, you do what you wanna do. "Time and again it has been the root cause of system issues". Lol. And this supposedly is because they were following Blackviper's list? There is no getting past you. He is out to make everyone's lives harder.

Not everyone recommends Ccleaner as you make it seem. But you are right, it isn't a bad tool. I just don't recommend it for novices who don't know what they are doing when they use it. It can mess up a system, but it does have a nice feature of backing everything up. But why bother? It is just as useful as Blackviper, and more risky. You think a novice is going to be backing up their registry? Good grief

DustSailor said:

Okay big boy, you do what you wanna do. "Time and again it has been the root cause of system issues". Lol. And this supposedly is because they were following Blackviper's list? There is no getting past you. He is out to make everyone's lives harder.

Click to expand...

I'm saying this out of honesty, and not to be rude, although I ackowledge it may come across that way. If you really, truly believe in his site, what that tells me is you haven't been part of the enthusiast crowd long enough to understand or even remember how bad his advice used to be with regards to XP tweaking. I've been a member on the [H]ardForums for a decade, and Anandtech as well...two of the most well respected enthusiast forums around. If you pick up a motherboard box, you are likely to see one or both of their logos. For many years, if anyone posted a question about system instability...the first question, often by the mods, was if the OP visited his site.

Again, I'm not trying to sound rude...but if you really don't understand why I'm so against him and his site, you missed quite a bit. He earned his QuackViper name, fair and square. Now, I mentioned his site went offline for a long time. When he returned, his information was toned down to be less aggressive. But he is still one in the same.

As I stated above, if there were any performance gains to be had by service tweaking, I'd be more than happy to visit his site and put his suggestions to the test on one of my spare systems. However, the common feeling across the enthusiast world is that the best that can happen with service tweaking is that you have no affect. The worst case is, you have an unstable system, and one that possibly needs to be repaired to boot.

My fervor on the topic isn't directed to you personally, but I can't stress enough how bad his site was and how much he earned his nickname. If you really don't want to take my word for it, google the term QuackViper, and look at how many mentions he gets on PC-related forums. I am only spewing these words to keep people from making their systems unstable, chasing the white rabbit of performance gains.

We all talk about honesty okay here is mine. If you can take care of a problem within Windows 7 do it. Do I use a few programs outside of Windows 7, yes I do. I only post them when I think the OP will use them wisely. Others will also read the post so one has to take that into consideration. I do not recommend anything I don't use and I'm not satisfied with. You can take that for what it's worth or to the bank. I don't use Viper any thing. I chose not to. Right or wrong that is and was my choice as it is yours. To keep it short. If you will work with us we will work with you. Honestly that's all their is to it.

Group hug everybody??

I don't think I'm going to touch anything as right now I've got my PC running pretty darn good after defrag, malwarbytes, spybot scans etc

It's actually booting up pretty dang quick compared to beforehand when I made the thread so all in all thx anyway to everybody.

It's not for system services, but for staggering the logon load of ordinary programs see my utility here:

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/92-free-great-programs-windows-7-a-195.html#post1790371

You can set individual delays for programs in the range 10 seconds to 10 minutes.

It's free for you to use at your own risk.

Another thing you can do to check boot speed is enable boot logging. Sometimes a slow boot is because the system is waiting to load drivers that are no longer on the machine. On my system it was Norton av I had uninstalled. It was still timing out waiting for drivers to load.

Miles Ahead has made a good point. Sometimes left over junk will also slow things down. Believe me sites that tell you to tweak this and that in most cases will cause more problems with Windows 7 than they help.
bobright if you are happy we are happy for you. If you need anymore help, please just ask.

I agree. That's a very good point, and Norton was always notorious for leaving junk behind...enough that it often caused a conflict when trying to install a new AV package.