| As Windows starts up there are many programs that | | | | support some proxy services or VPN services that |
| are executed automatically, some of which you may | | | | might also need to be running depending on your |
| not want starting up, and many of which do not need | | | | specific situation. Every situation is different, you may |
| to be started every time your computer is booted up. | | | | need to experiment a bit to find the best configuration. |
| If you look at your toolbar, normally in the area directly | | | | Luckily, in their infinite wisdom, Microsoft included a utility |
| adjacent to where your clock is displayed, you will | | | | starting with Windows 98 that allows you to modify |
| probably see many small icons that correspond to | | | | the start-up sequence relatively easily. |
| various applications that are installed on your system. | | | | Using 'MSCONFIG' |
| Each of those icons actually represents an application | | | | Windows XP |
| that is running in the background of your system, using | | | | - Click on Start->Run |
| up valuable system resources. | | | | - Type 'msconfig' and press enter or click OK. (The |
| The majority of applications that add themselves to | | | | System Configuration Utility should start up.) |
| the start-up sequence do not absolutely need to do so. | | | | Windows Vista / Windows 7 |
| Removing some of these applications from your | | | | - Click on Start |
| startup sequence can greatly increase system | | | | - In the search system box type 'msconfig' and press |
| performance. Do not be alarmed if you remove an | | | | 'Search'. |
| application from the start-up sequence and you no | | | | - In the System Configuration Utility, click on the tab |
| longer see its icon in your task-bar area. You can still | | | | called Startup. |
| access any application removed from the start-up | | | | - You can uncheck any program that you do not wish |
| sequence simply by either clicking on its shortcut on | | | | to execute on startup. (Changes that you make here |
| the desktop (assuming there is one) or by clicking start | | | | are easily reversible.) |
| and browsing through the programs listing until you find | | | | - After you have unchecked as many or few |
| the application and then starting it from there. | | | | programs as you wish, click 'Apply' and then 'OK'. |
| As a general rule the only programs that absolutely | | | | - You will then be prompted to restart your computer, |
| have to be running in the background are the ones that | | | | click 'Yes'. |
| are associated with your network hardware. Typically | | | | If after rebooting you are experiencing problems |
| if you are using a wireless network adapter then you | | | | connecting to the Internet or you are not able to |
| would most likely need to be sure that you do not | | | | access certain software you can easily go back and |
| remove that application from the start-up sequence. | | | | recheck those programs in the 'msconfig' utility using |
| There could also be other applications that might | | | | the same steps outlined above. |