Remove Programs from Auto-Starting 1

[ottograham]

I have several programs that open automatically everytime I start up. I'd like to be able to just open them when I need them (which is infrequently). How can I do this. I have Windows 98 SE.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Titleist]

ottograham,
You have a few options to do this:
Check the properties of the applications to make sure they don't start when Windows starts

Make sure there isn't a shortcut to the app. in your Startup folder

Run msconfig and uncheck the apps from the Startup tab

HTH

 

[jnicks]

The detail approach is to

RegEdit
(Search for RunOnce)
You will fine several areas nearby

Run
Runonce
runservices
runservicesonce

In these areas you will find items that launch 'prelaunch' programs perhaps like Adobe or Office.

Delete them.

You will find several runonce areas, one for the system and one for each user.

As always, backup the registry before handling.

And of course, never accept anything in installs that looks like any of
Prelaunch, easy Start, quick start, ...

All it does is junk up your boot and waste memory.

You run the same things as if you just launch the application, but faster as they are not trying to run at the same time as hundreds of other things a bootstrap time.

As always, backup teh registry before handling. Know how to restore too.

 

[ottograham]

Thanks to both replies. I'm reluctant to play with the registry, so I used msconfig. There were many in there I hardly ever use. Some I don't even know what they are.

Is it important to launch Office automatically, or can I open each app as I need it?

 

[Marcs41]

You can diable office, OSA that is. Word etc. will still work.

 

[ottograham]

Mark - Thanks - I did it and it boots up much quicker.