Start up time - slow

I searched for this question and saw that it seems everyone has a different reason...

My PC boot time is pretty slow, my desktop comes up in probably 3 minutes, gadgets after about 5 and Dell Dock after about 7. After those 7 minutes I have to wait another 2-3 before I can click anything.

I saw one person said to list the things in the start up tab of msconfig that was checked:

• Alps Pointing-device Driver
• IDT PC Audio
• Dell Wireless WLAN Card
• Trend Micro
• Windows Mobile Device Center
• Intel (R) Common User Interface (LISTED 3 TIMES)
• Adobe Updater
• Microsoft OS
• Google Update
• Google Talk
• Skype
• Microsoft OS (listed again)
• Trend Micro AntiSpam
• Mobile Me
• Dell Webcam Central
• Adobe CS4 Manager
• Office 2010
• Quick Time
• Java
• Adobe Acrobat
• Adove Reader
• Dell Dock
• OneNote
• HP Digital Imaging
• Quickset

Is it normal to have THAT MANY programs at start up? What can I safely disable?

Here are my system specs: (Dell Studio 1537 Laptop)
Operating System
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo T6400 @ 2.00GHz
Penryn 45nm Technology
RAM
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz 6-6-6-18
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0P173H (U2E1)
Graphics
Generic PnP Monitor on Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Hard Drives
320GB Hitachi Hitachi HTS543232L9A300 ATA Device (IDE)
Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GA10N ATA Device
Audio
IDT High Definition Audio CODEC

What should I do to help start up time? Thanks!

The computer came with Vista and I upgraded it to Windows 7.

Most of those programs can be started manually ... they don't need to be in the start up. You definitely want to have your Anti-virus start when you turn your computer on, but it doesn't need to update or scan at that time. Check to make sure it's not set to do either.

You can use this page as a guide to what is actually needed to run at start up
Task Manager Process List

I would suggest that you search your program from the alphabet, because the search box isn't very good.

You should be able to safely uncheck Windows Mobile Device Center, Adobe Updater, Google Update, Google Talk, Skype, Mobile Me, Dell Webcam Central, Adobe CS4 Manager, Office 2010, Quick Time, Java, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader and OneNote.

That MS OS entry probably has to do with the sidebar or the WMC tray, you can try disabling it. Other items you can experiment, if they are important for you keep them enabled.

You should be able to safely delete

Did you mean to say 'delete' or uncheck those programs?

Also look in services and set any of the programs showing to "Manual"

In principle you can "disable" all startup programs - except the AV program. They will all be started when required. But there may be some you want to start anyhow, e.g. sidebar. You can also set some for a delayed start. I do that with the sidebar in Vista because the sidebar needs some time to get going.

My preferred program for managing the Startups is BillP Studios - WinPatrol. It is a lot more convenient than msconfig.

I was trying to stop a program from starting on a friend's computer that was clearly not on the start menu and my research found that there are over 50 locations from within the Windows OS from which programs can be launched at startup. I used finally used Sysinternals Process Explorer to locate the startup location and disable the program from starting at boot.

~Maxx~
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