How to configure Windows startup programs

Does this sound familiar? You want to stop a particular program starting during the system boot but don’t know how.  Today we shall have a look at msconfig and see how you configure the start up items so only programs you want start up.  I am using Windows 7 Home Premium but the following works exactly the same on XP and Vista.

Before we start a word of warning.  If you don’t know what you are doing then be very careful making changes to msconfig as this can really screw up you system.  If you are happy then read on.

Go to Start and type msconfig in the search box.  The program will be displayed above the box so click it.  The System Configuration screen will be displayed with 5 tabs – General, Boot, Services, Startup and Tools.  The one we want is Startup so click the tab.  A list of programs that are loaded during the boot process will be displayed.  Choose the program you don’t want to start, uncheck the box next to it and then click on apply and then ok.  A message will appear that states you need to restart the system for changes to take effect so restart.


Once restarted a message will appear stating that you have made changes to the system configuration.  Check the box next to don’t show this message again and click ok.  The message box will no longer start at boot time.

About the Author

Hi I am Chris Wakefield the owner of ComTech IT Support. I provide Windows and Linux based IT Support, laptop repairs and computer repairs to both business and personal clients in and around Stirling.

For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find a list of my services, testimonials, blog and much more.

This entry was posted in Blog and tagged configure, msconfig, programs, startup, windows. Bookmark the permalink.

2 comments on “How to configure Windows startup programs

  1. I really learned about a lot of this, but in spite of this, I still believed it was beneficial. Nice blog!

  2. I would like to say thank you so much for the job you have made in writing this post. I am hoping the same effective work by you down the road also.

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