Startup

[Lukeee]

How do I change what progams are running when I start my computer? I'm sure there are like 5 different ways but I don't know which to use. There is this microsoft thing on my computer that does it and there is the Cleaner thingy I downloaded that does it too.

Also, is there anything that I have to have running when I start the computer or can I turn everything off?

I'm hoping if i turn some stuff of it will make my computer a little bit faster when i start it up. just don't know what to change.

 

[trinket]

Hola Lukeee! Check out seven2go's post in the next thread. MSConfig is one way to do it, as is Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Services, any other front-end (like CCleaner) achieves basically the same thing but gives you different front-ends.

The general rule, though, is don't disable something unless you know what it does. (You can Google the name of something.) Generally things run for a reason - for example, your printer interface drivers, or a driver for a virtual CD/DVD program, maybe a special mouse driver, whatever else is unique to your system - and of course standard Windows processes (like for networking) that you shouldn't mess with. But you can uncheck stuff like auto-update resident programs or other stuff that you do recognize.

Also be sure to keep your system defragged (including Paging/Swap file, like with PageDefrag), although with modern hard drives some argue it's less effective at making a difference. You didn't mention which OS you're running, though. There are lots of subtle tweaks and tuning you can do but you may not see big performance differences.

 

[racer2438]

hit the Windos icon at left corner, put in msconfig-enter-hit startup tab, and uncheck what you want off, hit apply, it may/may not want you to do start up again. Becarfull what to check off as some programs need others to run.

Also in you tool bar on desk top right click the icon and hit exit/turn off. That way it's manually turn off been will be on next time to power up.

 

[Lukeee]

thank you i've changed a few bits and i think my computer is already going a bit faster.

some questions though:

I found some AOL thingy on my computer and I don't even know why I have it or where it came from. It doesn't show up in the uninstall place so how do i remove it? it starts up when i start the computer and it wont go away.

windows defender - does this need to run all the time? i don't really use it.
catalyst control center - not a clue what this thing does.
Java - i think the internet uses this but does it need to open up straight away?
installshield - what is this?

 

[JetSetJake]

Sometimes programs put themselves in the Startup unnecessarily. There's a cool program you can download called Scotty. The icon is a little Scotty dog too lol.

This program stops things getting into the Startup and allows you to disable or even remove items already there. If anything tries to get itself in there, it'll alert you to it, and you can decide to let it or not.

You can also monitor other processes with this program too. It's freeware. You can upgrade to the paid version, but it's not necessary. The free version does pretty much what the average user needs a program like that to do.

 

[racer2438]

thank you i've changed a few bits and i think my computer is already going a bit faster.

some questions though:

I found some AOL thingy on my computer and I don't even know why I have it or where it came from. It doesn't show up in the uninstall place so how do i remove it? it starts up when i start the computer and it wont go away.

windows defender - does this need to run all the time? i don't really use it.
catalyst control center - not a clue what this thing does.
Java - i think the internet uses this but does it need to open up straight away?
installshield - what is this?

If you dont use AOL then go to control panel and select unistall/install, on the list after it's done loading everything all the programs you can remove it. I removed everything AOL on mine. JUst be care what you remove.

 

[Lukeee]

If you dont use AOL then go to control panel and select unistall/install, on the list after it's done loading everything all the programs you can remove it. I removed everything AOL on mine. JUst be care what you remove.

It doesn't show up in the uninstall place so how do i remove it?

It doesn't show up in the uninstall part. I didn't even know it was on my computer.

 

[seven2go]

Might that AOL thing be left over from some preloaded crap that came with your computer?
Check out the C drive and then the Programs folder and see if AOL is in there.
If there is no uninstaller there just delete the AOL folder.

 

[Corny]

windows defender - you should run it. it's windows' own antivirus/malware program. it is not really good but better than nothing and pretty good at removing the stuff that it recognizes.

catalyst control center - this is a control center for your ATI graphics card. you can disable the control center running at startup, but you should not uninstall it.


Java - is used by some web pages. if it is loaded during startup it loads quicker when a webpage uses it. if you do not load it on startup it will take a bit more time when the first website uses it.