And for
babthrower; the procedure is the same for both Operating Systems.
There are several methods but I'll give you the easier ones first. If you are comfortable with working in the Windows Registry, there is another method that I can give you.
Neither of these two methods will damage or remove any program. All they will do is prevent the program from auto running at Windows boot-up. You can manually start the program from the Start Menu.
First, in the Start Menu there is an item named "Startup". You can right click on any entry there and choose "Delete" and the shortcut will be removed from the Startup folder.
Second, click:
1. Start
2. Run
3. Type in: msconfig
4. Click OK
This action will open the Microsoft Windows Configuration utility. Click the Startup tab.
Uncheck any of the listed items that you wish to prevent from starting up automatically.
Once you're satisfied with your selections, click OK. You will be prompted to restart your computer. At restart, you will see an information box informing you that you have utilized the MSCONFIG utility and asks if you want to keep your settings. Check the "don't Ask Again" (I don't recall the exact verbage) button and click OK. And for
babthrower, in Win98 you will not see this information box.
You can reverse your actions by opening MSCONFIG and rechecking any item.
Of course, you should not prevent critical items like your anti-virus or software firewall from auto-starting. And there are also items like your sound and graphic card components that you would probably prefer
not to disable.
Microsoft Office Startup can be safely unchecked. The Office Suite will still run just fine. You can eliminate the MS Works update utility if you like. It can be updated manually if you wish.
Things like MS Money and/or Quick Books auto update can be shut down if you don't use them or can remember to run the manual updater occasionally.
This site by Paul Collins identifies most startup programs that start automatically and explains how to remove them. He offers advice on what you should leave running. And you can type in the file name of the startup item into Google and often times find pages that explain what the items are and recommends what action you should take.
Finally, if after doing this you still have too many items you can download and run the HighJack This utility and then send the log file off to any of several forums for expert advice on items to remove. The HighJack This utility will automatically create a backup of items removed if you leave the default values alone. That way should problems develop you can "restore" the item.
HighJack ThisOne HighJack This forum This is one of many HighJack forums you can use. Another is
http://pcpitstop.com I hope you will find this useful!
Dwight
