First, the programs themselves will probably have options allowing you to tell them not to start at logon or system load. Using this function is usually best becuase many programs also check their settings, and if their settings say they ought to start when windows starts, they'll reset themselves to do so whether you used autorns, or msconfig, or any other tool.
For those programs that don't have an easy option to stop themselves, I would recommend CCleaner. It allows you to disable most start up programs very easily, while hiding some of the deep and critical system functions that other programs, such as autoruns, reveal.
@yoshm, could you please provide some more information? If removing application links from the Startup folder and disabling automatic startup in msconfig.exe is not the correct way, then what is the correct way? I know software can be permanently removed from the control panel, but you mention
disable it on your system
. How can a software be disabled on the system without uninstalling it and without using msconfig? Thanks. – John Sonderson – 2014-12-15T18:11:12.0901@JohnSonderson - For example, if it's in the Startup program group, you can remove it from there. Many programs (e.g., Skype) have an option to "Automatically start when Windows starts" - you can deselect that option. – yosh m – 2014-12-15T22:44:38.503
1P.S. For windows 8.1, Task Manager now has a tab for managing startup items. – yosh m – 2014-12-15T22:46:06.523
Thank you @yoshm for your responses. However, I'm running Windows 7 and would like to know: how can I see if a program such as skype.exe is in the Startup program group? I've right clicked on the executable, selected Properties, and clicked on the Security tab. There I see, under Users and Groups, three groups:
SYSTEM
,Admnistrators (MyPCNameHere\Administrators)
, andUsers (MyPCNameHere\Users)
. I don't see Startup. Even when I go toSkype -> Tools -> Options -> Launch Skype when Windows Starts up
, no group called Startup is added to the aforementioned place from Properties menu item. – John Sonderson – 2014-12-16T22:47:02.277Sorry for th shockng answer, iPod touch sucks is horrble for longer responses – Josh Hunt – 2009-07-26T13:12:59.870
Warning: Using msconfig is NOT recommended for permanent changes. It's only for trouble-shooting. Use it to find the problem - but then find the correct way to remove it permanently or disable it on your system and go back to regular bootup (i.e., turn off msconfig). – yosh m – 2012-01-29T12:55:23.950