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