Control which Applications & Utilities Start-Up with WinXP

Control what starts

One of the most useful things you can do to customize your system is to take control of which applications and utilities start up with Windows XP. There are two main ways that you can do this within Windows XP.

First, there's the Startup folder on your Start Menu, which is accessed from Start> All Programs> Startup.

Many applications, such as anti-virus software, install
an application shortcut in this folder, which means that it will start when Windows XP does. Many other programs such as Microsoft Office also have shortcuts in this folder - this doesn't make the applications run when your desktop appears, but it does mean that when you need them, they will be able to start more quickly. You may not want all of these applications to be linked to startup, however, as the process involved makes Windows XP start more slowly.

Have a look in your Startup folder and see if there is anything that you'd like to remove, to speed up your startup process. You can delete these icons if you don't want them since they're just shortcuts, not the applications themselves. Move your mouse over the item you want to remove, right-click, and choose Delete from the menu that appears. Before you do this, though, make sure that you know what the icon does,­ you don't want to prevent your anti-virus application from launching, for example.

Add programs

You can also add programs to your Start Menu by dragging a shortcut from elsewhere on your Start Menu into the Startup folder. You can also do this via Windows Explorer; go to C:\ Documents and Settings\AII Users\Start Menu\ Programs\Startup.

If you haven't got an existing shortcut, find the application you want to shortcut to, and then right ­click it. Select Send To > Desktop (create shortcut), and this will then create a shortcut on your desktop that you can cut and paste into the Startup folder.
The reason why you'd want to do this is clear.

Perhaps you like to visit several websites when you first start up your computer. In that case, it makes sense to start up Internet Explorer automatically, or Outlook Express if you always check your email first.

Microsoft has also included a utility within Windows XP that enables you to control what system processes and utilities start up with the operating system. You have to use this in certain circumstances as not everything has an entry in your Startup folder.

This is called the System Configuration Utility, and is accessible via Start> Run. Type "msconfig" and press [Enter]. The System Configuration Utility - and the registry editing we've outlined below - should be something of a last resort. Individual applications will probably have a start up option that you can switch off, or if not, use the Startup menu option.

Expert Tip

There are many thirdparty tools that enable you to manage all of your Windows XP startup sequences. Two examples are X-Start (available on www.tucows.com) and Startup Control Panel, which is available from www.download.com.

These tend to be easier and friendlier to use than editing the registry or using the System Configuration Utility, and may be a good place to start. X-Start also has a wizard that can help you through the process.

Jan 22 - 05:32 PM PT  |  filed under Set-Up  |   Printer-friendly version