How do I removed old, useless entries in MSCONFIG's "start up" tab? There are a bunch of entries from programs long uninstalled. Using 4 regestry cleaners did not help. Can you? Thanks.
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Programs that run at startup can be located in several places.
From MSCONFIG, look at the system files: Autoexec Config Sys.ini Win.ini
You can remove any related entries in these files from MSCONFIG, or sysedit.
CAUTION: The next step involves editing the registry. Proceed with caution. Improper use of regedit can disable your PC!
From the run box, run regedit. Use Edit / Find to locate the runonce keys. Near each runonce key will be a Run and Run - key. In the Run - key will be the disabled startup items. The values in the run - key are safe to delete.
I am not looking to disable programs starting up, but to remove the left over entries of programs in the start up tab. For example, I do not need 7 entries of unblocked "AOL Tray" boxes. I need to remove these entries themselves.
For those not quite ready for the direct Registry Editing task, go to; www.easydesksoftware.com Download Perfect Companion.exe (a registry editing tool, snapshot utility, and Start Menu Editor). The Start Menu editor is super easy to use. Installit and first take a snapshot, then reopen the tool and edit the start up folder using the startup registry editor (I also use the Startup list from www.pacsportal.uk)
I am not looking to disable programs starting up, but to remove the left over entries of programs in the start up tab. For example, I do not need 7 entries of unblocked "AOL Tray" boxes. I need to remove these entries themselves.
I understand that you are not looking to disable additional programs from starting up.
The shortcuts for the programs that show up in the disabled startup items list are stored in the run- key of the registry.
The only way to clear the disabled startup items list is to remove the shortcuts from the run- key. Then remove the run- key itself to remove the disabled items list.
The registry cleaners do NOT delete the disabled startup items as the shortcuts are valid links.
Some of the system utilities such as System Suite from V-Com do have options to clear the disabled startup menu items.
So does the utility I sent you to download. Get it, go to MSCONFIG and recheck all the disabled items that appear. Also go to Start>Settings>Taskbar & Start Menu and seek out the Disabled Start Menu Items Folder and re-enable all in the folder first.
Then run the tool and get rid of any unwanted startup items, it will remove all of the unwanted startup items you choose to. I would also run Norton's WinDr. from A Norton SystemWorks disk as the utility can be launched from the CD, this will also help cleanup those nasty disabled keys & shortcuts.
Sry, the Reg. Cleaner portion would do the job, but Win Dr. does a much better (less dangerous), and easier job of cleaning up those "no value" keys & reg. entries in my book. I use both tools usually. What one misses, the other doesn't.
I know how that would work, but only if the programs are all uninstalled and their exes no longer exists, but I am also looking to remove programs I stopped starting up but sill have. No reason for them to still have entries in MSCONFIG. Sorry.
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Clean Up MSCONFIG
Thanks.