Windows 7 - Startup Programs - Change

It may be harder for some users to figure out what the listings are under msconfig>Startup than with other programs like Autoruns and CCleaner tools, although all you really need is Google to find out.

Yes but if the tutorial is giving potentially bad advice, it's worth pointing out. If you disagree with the MajorGeeks forum post and the Microsoft support item, then may I ask why?

The tutorial we are posting in has had over a million views without a single complaint.

msconfig might have been considered risky during XP when System files were intermingled with other Startups, but this is no longer the case and now it is up to user preference to use a Startup manager or the more bare-bones msconfig.

You will still get better performance from Windows 7 with a clean boot running NO startup items except your AV. Compare this with the average factory-preinstalled Windows which has 12-25 preset startups, a horrendous resource hog that makes getting a new computer inferior to running a clean boot.

The only factory-imposed Startup which I've found will balk is HP's useless Wireless Manager which requires selecting Independent Wireless in its Prefs before deselecting in msconfig. Then I would uninstall and bury it in the backyard.

Hello Superhans, and welcome to Seven Forums.

The Microsoft article link at Major Geeks that you referenced is a bit out of date since it is for XP.

Plus, how can you say that this tutorial may be giving bad advice when it gives you a lot more options and locations to see your startup programs than the out of date one that you referenced. Not to mention the notes and warnings within the tutorial to help.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with using msconfig to enable or disable startup entries before deciding to want to delete them in the registry or not. msconfig is also a great tool to use to test to see what startup entry may be causing an issue if having one like in these tutorials below.

Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

Perform a clean startup to determine whether background programs are interfering with your game or program

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

However, it is true that it would be best to delete the startup entries from the registry instead of just disabling them in msconfig if you do not want them to run at startup anymore. Plus, msconfig may not always show all startup entries like the registry locations would. That being said, there's still nothing wrong with using msconfig to control startup items if one wishes to as long as you are aware this.

OK thanks guys. I wasn't criticising the tutorial in any way, it's great and I always refer back to it. I just wanted some clarification which until now, no one has ever given me (yes, since the XP days!).

I'll continue to use Autoruns because I like it, but it's good to know that it's perfectly safe to use MSConfig. I'll use MSConfig on other peoples machines in the future as it's more convenient.

Thanks again.

You're welcome Superhans. I'm glad that we could help.

Nice Tutorial. Thx.

But I want to know...

Is it possible to disable most of the starting programs and services only for a specified user account? I mean, to have a secondary user account free of most of it (and not only disable the current user entries) for running heavier applications within, without disabling the same programs and services on the main admin account?

thanks in advance!

Hello Seiph, and welcome to Seven Forums.

For services, no.

For startup programs, yes. You could go through the tutorial and move the startup items in all of the "all users" locations to only be in specific users' Startup folders instead. This way there will be no startup items in the "all users" location, and only start items you want in each user's Startup folders.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi, what is "run-" folder for?

"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run-"

There is some stuff in there like:

AdobeAAMUpdater-1.0 ("C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\OOBE\PDApp\UWA\UpdaterStartupUtility.exe")

D:\***\Microsoft Office\Office14\BCSSync.exe" /DelayServices

And also in current user:

"C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c

Are these safe to delete?

Hello Grizz,

That "Run" location in the registry is what runs at startup for all users. I'd recommend to leave them all alone, but you could delete the Adobe and Google one if you want to make sure to manually update the Adobe and Google programs they belong to. Otherwise, it's not going to hurt to leave them.

Those items you have listed are for this below in the same order.

• Adobe program updater
• Microsoft Office BCSSync.exe (Business Connectivity Services)
• Google updater

Hope this helps,
Shawn