How to clean up msconfig?

[jdurg]

Okay. I've had my computer for about three years now (Just upgraded from 600 to 1000 MHz 🙂), and during that time, I've installed/uninstalled a good deal of software. I've also disabled a lot of pesky startup items through the msconfig startup tab. The thing is, the amount of items listed in that startup tab is getting VERY large. In fact, many of the items on the list, that I have unchecked, are for programs that no longer exist on my computer. Or, there are duplicates of the same program from when I've had to reinstall software. How do I clean up this part of msconfig so that only the current items are there, and that duplicate/not installed lines are gone? Also, if there is a way to do this, will removing the lines for software that I decided to disable on startup cause any problems with those programs. Thanks a lot.

 

[RedRooster]

Run Regedit and goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

then just delete anything in the Run folder that you don't need anymore. It might not hurt to go to all the folders there that start with "Run" and delete anything you don't need.
Should clean up your list at least.

 

[rw120555]

PC Magazine's startup cop is a nice utility for this. You can find it at

http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,,77594,.html

According to the documentation, "Startup Cop helps you handle problems with programs that are automatically launched at startup by listing them and letting you disable, enable, or delete them. You can save the list of programs that are currently enabled or disabled as a profile that can be restored at a later time."

 

[layne151]

good post redrooster very helpfull

 

[jaywallen]

One thing that will help (sometimes / usually?) to prevent "leftovers" from uninstalled programs in the startup tab of MSCONFIG: Re-enable the item you're going to uninstall BEFORE you uninstall it. That way the uninstall routine finds the startup item and removes it along with the rest of the software package.

Startup Cop is a nice, safe easy way to get rid of the unwanted entries without requiring a user to edit the registry directly. Startup Control Panel, another freeware startup item control utility will also work.