Using WinPatrol to manage Start up programs will make your computer more efficient. In addition, this feature can be used to remove undesirable programs from starting with Windows.
Following are instructions on how to Remove, Add or Disable programs from starting up with Windows. (See Delayed Start (http://www.landzdown.com/index.php/topic,52566.0.html) for information on the popular Delayed Start feature.)
Removing Programs from Start upHaving seldom used programs automatically launch when you start Windows will slow down system initialization and use unnecessary resources. In addition, programs determined to infect your system will most likely appear in the Start up Programs list.
Note: Removing a program from start up will not delete the program from your hard drive. It will remove only the entry for that program in the Start up Programs list, preventing the program from restarting every time your system does.
It is as easy to remove programs from start up as it is to add programs with WinPatrol. If unsure on whether you want the program removed from start up, you can also disable Program Start up and then re-enable it if you change your mind. For programs you do not want starting at Windows launch, it is recommended to remove them from start up.
- Right-click Scotty in the system tray to launch WinPatrol, selecting "Options", accepting any UAC prompt.
- Click the Start up Programs tab in WinPatrol.
- Right-click on the software to be removed from start up and select Remove.
If the program is currently running, the Remove action will also allow you to shut it down. - The final prompt will be to click Yes to confirm removing the software from start up.
Adding Programs to Start upWith WinPatrol, you can easily add a software program to automatically start when your system is loading.
- Right-click Scotty in the system tray to launch WinPatrol, selecting "Options", accepting any UAC prompt.
- Click the Start up Programs tab in WinPatrol and click the Add button at the bottom of the window.
- Navigate to the location of the program to be added, locate and highlight the .exe file and click Open.
The software is now added to start up.
Disable Program Start upYou may occasionally run into a program that is persistent in returning after they have been removed from the Startup Programs list. For example, BillP Studios discovered many programs like QuickTime, RealPlayer, and MSN Messenger who think they're so important they put themselves in the Start up Programs list every time they run.
If you do not want similar persistent programs running at start up, use WinPatrol to disable the start up at Windows launch function. Scotty will remove the program(s) from start up when they reappear.
- Right-click Scotty in the system tray to launch WinPatrol, selecting "Options", accepting any UAC prompt.
- Click the Start up Programs tab in WinPatrol.
- Right-click on the software to be disabled from start up and select Disable.
To re-enable a disabled program, follow the same steps in reverse. Click to select the program and select enable.
Another feature added to WinPatrol for managing start up programs is clickable links on the alert screens, included in Version 29. In addition to the usual options, the alert screen now includes the ability to immediately disable the program from startup, check properties or open the folder. For stubborn programs that continually add/re-add to startup at each update, this is particularly welcome.
(https://www.landzdown.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ViU0POVLE7g%2FUmLT3E5HTeI%2FAAAAAAAACA8%2F3CnslKNs19s%2Fs1600%2FWP29%2BAlert%2BScreen.jpg&hash=26df865a69efb865a0b8b2e57d3f0517562f734f)
WinPatrol PLUS users have the additional advantage of being about to check the PLUS Knowledge Database.
Even on computers where they didn't have the overhead to be able to run even something as light as WinPatrol above their AV and Windows Firewall (old XP computers usually), I would keep it installed for this very purpose; being able to see at a glance many aspects of the startup and more. And if necessary, even disable or remove as appropriate, certain items from Startup applications and Startup Services (less frequent on the services, but there have been times when that has come in very handy too).