I have a file that explains it all. It is a .doc file but I don't know how to add it here.
Len
I'll try to paste it
StartUp Manager: Your list of startup applications
When you initially load the StartUp Manager it displays all of items that are automatically being loaded each time windows starts (see also Toggling Expert Mode). These items are described using various columns at the top of the area where they are displayed. The information these columns represent is discussed below:
Status | Program Name | Command Line | Location | StartUp Item Legend
Status
The "Status" column tells you whether the corresponding item is actively being loaded when Windows starts or not. A green checkmark represents an "on" state (the item is being loaded), and a red circle with a diagonal line through it represents an "off" state (the item is not being loaded but is still able to be toggled back to "on" if desired).
Program Name
The "Program Name" column represents the name or description of the item that is being loaded. This information may not always be available to System Mechanic, may have been stored inaccurately by the original program that created the item, or may be an indecipherable "code" only meant to be seen by the program that originally created the entry. Nonetheless, this information in conjunction with the other displayed information such as command line usually gives a savvy user a very good idea about what exactly the startup item is.
Command Line
The "Command Line" column represents the path and filename that corresponds to the item that is being loaded during startup. Often this information will give you a good idea as to the nature of the startup item.
Location
The "Location" column represents the area of your system that is telling Windows to automatically load this item on startup. There are several places that this information can be stored; they are described below:
StartUp Folder
The StartUp Folder is located under your Start Menu in a program group named "StartUp". Any items located in the StartUp Folder are represented by a corresponding shortcut icon within this program group. The physical location of the StartUp Group is usually directly under the Windows folder, within the "Start Menu" folder.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
Version\Run
Startup items stored in this location of your registry are automatically started when the current user only is logged in. On systems with multiple user accounts, this information may change depending on who is logged in, however this is most applicable on systems connected to a network and most prevalent under Windows NT.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
Version\RunOnce
Startup items stored in this location are handled exactly the same as the previous location, except that items are only run one time and then automatically removed.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
Version\Run
Startup items stored in this location of your registry are automatically started each Windows session no matter who is logged in.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
Version\RunOnce
Startup items stored in this location are handled exactly the same as the previous location, except that items are only run one time and then automatically removed from the list of startup items.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
Version\RunOnceEx
Startup items stored in this location of your registry are automatically started each Windows session no matter who is logged in.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
Version\RunServices
Startup items stored in this location of your registry are automatically started as "Services" (most applicable under Windows NT), which are programs intended to start before any other programs are loaded and to continue running even after the system is "locked".
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
Version\RunServicesOnce
Startup items stored in this location of your registry are automatically started as "Services", but only started once and then removed from the list of startup items automatically. Services, which are most applicable under Windows NT, are programs intended to start before any other programs are loaded and to continue running even after the system is "locked".
Win.ini
The "Win.ini" file is an initialization file that stores configuration data for your system and is processed at the beginning of each Windows session. Within this file are two sections where applications can be added in order to have then automatically load when Windows starts. Both the "Load" and "Run" sections operate in basically the same way as far as this tool?s purpose is concerned: They store a path and filename which is interpreted by Windows as instructions to launch that file upon startup.
All User?s StartUp Folder
Windows NT, 2000, XP, or later contain a special folder for startup files that instructs the operating system to load these items when Windows boots, regardless of who is logged into the machine. Any files, documents, or applications placed in the All Users? StartUp Folder will be subject to these conditions and load independently of the current user.
Config.sys
Under Windows 95, 98, and Me, Config.sys is a small file usually located on the root folder of your bootable drive (or drive partition). It contains rudimentary startup and driver information that is processed before Windows begins loading. Any items placed in this file must be applicable to the Windows 95/98/Me pre-load process or they will be ignored. The Config.sys file is processed before the Autoexec.bat file described below.
Autoexec.bat
Under Windows 95, 98, and Me, Autoexec.bat is a small file usually located on the root folder of your bootable drive (or drive partition). It contains rudimentary startup information that is processed before Windows begins loading. Any items placed in this file must be applicable to the Windows 95/98/Me pre-load process or they will be ignored.
StartUp Item Legend
The StartUp Manager includes a helpful legend located at the bottom of its screen that corresponds with the various states of the startup items listed. The various states are as follows:
Enabled
Items denoted with a green check mark are active and ready to be started next time Windows is. They are also deemed to be items with a valid path and filename according to StartUp Manager.
Disabled
Items denoted with a red circle with a cross through it are valid entries, but are marked as inactive by StartUp Manager. These items can me marked as active at any time, however in their current state they will not load when Windows does.
Possible Invalid Reference
Items with a red circle and yellow exclamation mark are active items (meaning Windows is attempting to start them each time it does), but do not have a valid path according to StartUp Manager. It is recommended that these items be fixed by adjusting their targets, or disabled until further investigation is performed, as they lead to a decrease in performance during the Windows startup process.
Disabled Invalid Reference
Items with a gray circle and exclamation mark are inactive items (meaning Windows is not currently attempting to start them each time it does), and do not have a valid path according to StartUp Manager. For more information on enabling or disabling items click here.
