Have you noticed your computer with Windows Vista installed on it slowing down at all? Perhaps this may be because of problems installed in your computer that are taking up lots of your computers resources.

Lets face it, Windows Vista uses tons of resources itself, so your going to probably want to stop applications from running at the startup of Windows Vista. How does one achieve this? Lets take a look at just a few of the ways.

Applications Settings

Lets start off with the most simple, many programs these days whether it be for gaming or business use often include an option for running at the startup of Windows Vista.

For example lets take a quick look at Windows Live Messenger, if you go to the Tools menu, then Options, under the General tab you will find an option that states "Automatically run Windows Live Messenger when I log on to Windows.

Nevertheless, not every problem will have the option or have it in the same spot. I recommend that you check either the help files provided with the software or search around in the options menu of the program.

System Configuration

This option is more for those that know what they're doing, it's pretty much the same as it was on Windows XP. Take note that there are several ways to get to this utility, perhaps the easiest is going to Control Panel and clicking the classic view option then going to Administrator Tools.

Another way is to go to start up and in the search field type "Msconfig" or "System Configuration." Each way will take you to the same menu, so no need to worry about that, instead focus your attention on the utility present on your screen if you've done everything right.

You will see tabs for General, Boot, Services, Startup, and finally Tools. Of course you will want to click on Startup, and you are instantly given a list of applications that wish to run at the startup of Windows Vista.

It's all a matter of choice really when it comes to some of the applications present on the list. For example when I checked my System Configuration box, Adobe Reader was set up launch on startup, I didn't want it to do that so I quickly unchecked the box and hit Apply.

After finished you will be asked to restart your computer, or given the option to wait.

Windows Defender

This option is probably my least favorite, but others my find it to their liking. First open up Windows Defender, then you need to find the Advanced Tools menu near the top of the page, then from there open up Software Explorer.

In this menu you will see a list of programs that are currently set to run on startup, and even software that is currently running. From there you can choose to stop programs from running on startup.

The great thing about Windows Defender is that it analyzes programs running and set to running on startup to see if they may damage your computer. Overall Vista has some great and interesting features, remember not to play around blindly in these startup menu's, as you could really damage something.

Sources

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/ software/support/howto/softwareexplorer.mspx
http://www.vista4beginners.com/System-Configuratio n-Utility

Learn more about this author, Matt Remley.
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