Update: For Windows 7, read this article instead.
It seems like every program I install wants to start automatically with Windows. For example, Apple Quicktime puts an icon in the system tray. Adobe Acrobat starts automatically, just so it can more quickly open a PDF file. Each of these startup applications wastes memory and slows down how long it takes Windows Vista to start (though Windows Vista is smart about this, and lets you access the desktop before it starts all these applications).
To configure or disable startup applications in Windows Vista, follow these steps (after the jump):
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Under Programs, click Change startup programs.
3. Windows Defender appears and displays the Software Explorer. You can resize this window if you need to. If you have an administrative account or an administrator username and password, click Show for all users button to display all startup programs. That shield icon on the button means you need an admin account.
4. Browse the list of startup programs (there are probably more than you expect). For anything you want to disable, click the program, and then click Disable or Remove.
Be sure NOT to disable these startup programs–you need them:
- Microsoft Windows Explorer
- Windows Defender
- Microsoft IntelliPoint
Thanks, First one I could find about a vista computer!
nice man, ez solution to a nagging problem
thanks man….it helped…
Thanks loads , sorted my problem
For some reason my Speech Recog software kept coming up and it really screwed up my startup. I just followed what you said and got rid of it. Cheers!
Bless you. Microsoft was running me in circles. Show all users was they key. Thanks
My Vista control panel (classic view) looks nothing like yours and has no “change startup programs” link to click. So the advice does not help me!
Click the control panel home link at the far top left, it will change it back to vista control panel and take you out of the classic view
thanks for the update anonymous had the same prob
thanks kid for the help!
Michael, click to view your control panel normal. So if you click above the “Classic View” on the “Control Panel Home”, then you will be able to see “Change startujp programs” unerneath the “Programs” link/icon.
Hope it helps,A
thanks it helped lots!!
thanks for everything, help a lot. Now my pc is working much better and faster than before.
Your idea probably works fine but my windows defender won’t run. Is there another way to change the startup?
Averill, i have the same problem, every time I try to open windows defender i have a error message saying that it times out. Did you find a way to fix this?
If so, could you please let me know on leandro_lsd@hotmail.com
thanks
But what is the diff between “disable” and “remove?” If I remove a program from the start up, will I still be able to open it later? Thanks!
If you disable it, you can easily re-enable it if you change your mind later. If you remove it, it won’t be as easy to make it start automatically later. Either way, you’ll be able to run the program manually.
Okay, thanks a ton!
Okay, I disabled everything but AVG and Carbonite Info Center and, of course, the programs you told us not to!
Thanks for the help…I’ve been searching for 9 months for a Vista help that was easy and trustful! ;)
When I try to change or uninstall a program, it tells me that “the system administrator has set policies that prevent this installation.” How do I get around that?
thank you very much
What can you do about programs that don’t give you the option to remove or disable? I have quite a few like that.