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by jardinier 1 view

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What is the command line to run in Windows XP which shows a list of all items/applications that load at boot up?

There are two particular applications which start automatically that clog up memory.

As I have never installed WGA, would it be possible and SAFE to remove this from start up?

Are there any items which I absolutely MUST NOT remove?

That's a mouthful but if I can just remove the two applications I will be more than happy.

5 replies

by thumbsup2

First, look at the application options themselves. There may be an option to turn off the auto-start. That's always the safest. For example, if you have a chat program such as Yahoo, there are options in the program to turn off the auto-start.

If you must turn them off manually, you can use MSCONFIG at the RUN command.

WGA should not and, I believe, can not be removed. That is Windows Genuine Advantage which is installed by the critical update path. It's what validates your installation as genuine.

by jardinier

That's the one I want, thank you.

And I have located the two which I don't want to start.

There is a whole heap under "Services" and "Startup." I am quite sure I don't need all those but which ones to delete?

Once upon a time when I was having trouble with my internet an AOL technician got me to run MSCONFIG and to tell him everything that was there. He marked quite a few as unnecessary.

by thumbsup2

... depend on what you're doing with your computer. Only you can decide which ones you need.

However, there is a little guidance provided in several places, right here on TR being one of them:

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/itdojo/?p=120

http://video.techrepublic.com.com/2422-14075_11-199289.html

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=354

And, at outside sites, the first that came up on a search was:

http://www.jasonn.com/turning_off_unnecessary_services_on_windows_xp

by jardinier

I was able to stop the two particular programs from starting and later I will visit these links you have posted and see what else I can get rid of.

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