Hi. I was wondering how can I clean up entries in startup tab. The problem is that System configuration still shows entries from programs that were uninstalled long time ago. Thank you for anwsering.
How-To Geek Forums » Windows Vista
(Solved) - How to clean up System configuration entries in Vista
(28 posts)
I use WinPatrol to keep my startups in good order. It gives you a variety of options - add, remove, disable. I find this handier than doing it in Syst. Config. The other question is whether you really properly uninstalled the programs in question. The Windows uninstaller often does not do a very thorough job. That's why many people prefer to use REVO .
You can use the Software Explorer in Windows Defender to disable or delete startup items. It requires admin authority to do this. Go to Start -> All Programs -> Windows Defender -> Tools -> Software Explorer. Set the category to Startup Items, and click the "Show for all users" button. Use the "Remove" button to delete entries for uninstalled programs.
Though it is not quite as user friendly, Autoruns is far more capable. The Logon tab will show every program that can be run at startup. You can disable or delete these entries. Autoruns is Vista compatible and requires no installation:
http://technet.microsoft.com/e.....63902.aspx
Medicius, I would suggest that you use Autoruns from the link that I provided above. On the Logon tab you can see all the programs that are set to automatically start, even ones that are no longer installed. Unlike the msconfig Startup tab, Autoruns will allow you to check, uncheck, and delete as well. Here's a demo of what it looks like:
So, you are saying that the entries in the System Configuration Startup tab don't match the entries in the Autoruns Logon tab? That doesn't make any sense.
If you want another solution, look at the picture of your System Configuration window. Off to the right, I can just make out part of the Location column. This column will show the registry key that produces each entry. Again, looking at your picture, I can see that each one begins with HK. I would be very surprised if these keys are not ones that are covered by Autoruns:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run (or RunOnce)
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run (or RunOnce).
But, I'm willing to learn something new. Show us what they say.
I also have 3 (unchecked) entries in msconfig startup, that don't show up in Autoruns, Revo, or in the registry, where they are supposed to be (which is probably why they don't show up in those 2 programs). So now it's just a matter of finding out where that info is stored.
Ha! I had a feeling I would be proven wrong on this. That's how we learn from our mistakes. Try the information in this article by Ramesh Srinivasan, MS MVP:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/MSCONFIG.htm
Also, note the link on this page to an MSConfig Cleanup Utility by a Bulgarian company called Virtuoza. I've never heard of them, so use at your own risk.
Update: I'm feeling a little better about MSConfig Cleanup Utility by Virtuoza since this software is hosted by SoftPedia, download.com, and other trusted sources:
http://www.download.com/MSConf.....d=10815803
EDIT: I find no source that specifies that MSConfig Cleanup is Vista compatible.
Also, I want to write out the registry entries where disabled startup items are located for anyone coming here from a search. They are:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupfolder
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