So you want to disable that utility you installed three months ago that starts every time you log into your computer. Or perhaps it takes two minutes after you started your PC for it to be of any use because of the extra programs you installed on whim. Well in either case, you're in luck, in Windows Vista there are a few ways to tackle this problem and they range from the brute force method of completely uninstalling the program all together to the more technically savvy update to the System Configuration.

Let's assume the brute force method doesn't apply, you want to keep the software on the computer but choose when to start it. So we'll move quickly onto less destructive options. For those technically adept users the most straight forward method is to go to the Control Panel, select Administrative Tools and then double click the System Configuration shortcut. As an alternative enter the keyword "msconfig" into the Start Menu's Search field or Run dialog and hit enter.

The System Configuration dialog box will open. There are a number of tabs at the top but the one of most interest is labeled "Startup". Select this tab and you will be presented with a list of processes and applications that run whenever Windows Vista starts. Simply un-check the boxes next to the application you want to disable. Once you have un-checked all the programs you no longer want to run at start up click the OK button. The next time you start Windows those applications will not be part of the start up sequence.

For those of us with less of a technical background the Windows Defender application helps manage start up programs in a more user friendly manner. Using the Start Menu Button, select Control Panel and a Control Panel window will open. There is a group called Programs and beneath this there is the option to "Change start up programs". Selection this option opens a Windows Defender page.

Another way of getting to this page is to enter "Windows Defender" into the search field on the Start Menu and hitting enter. A Windows Defender page will open. Select Tools from the top menu and then Software Explorer from the body of the Windows Defender page.

The Windows Defender page will display a list of programs that can be sorted depending on your task, for this purpose make sure the Category drop down menu is set to Start Up. Clicking on any one of the programs listed in the left panel provides you with details of the Program and an option to Remove or Disable it from Start Up using the buttons on the bottom right of the screen. You should note, if you select Remove the software will no longer appear in the list, so it is worth using the Disable option initially.

Once you're done simply close the Windows Defender page and next time you restart your PC your changes will have taken effect. Hasta la vista unwanted start up program!

Learn more about this author, Kate Cornell.
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