In a previous article, we’ve talked about Startup Optimizer, a great freeware program for managing startup applications. Startup Optimizer is good for the average user because it only displays the basic programs and also labels them as safe or harmful (although not 100% accurate). If you are an advanced user, then you will need to know even more programs that start at the same time with Windows. This is when AutoRuns comes in handy.

AutoRuns is a free of charge startup manager that will display all startup applications. The program doesn’t require installation, just a simple double-click on autoruns.exe.

You are able to see the applications in your startup folder, Services, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. In fact, you can enable/disable each driver, DLL file, Internet Explorer add-on and more.

Activate the Hide Signed Microsoft Entries option to hide images that are signed by Microsoft; those don’t pose any threat. After some tweaking and tuning, restart your PC. Your computer’s bootup time should improve.

AutoRunsc is the command-line version of AutoRuns.

The download is less than 1MB. Available for all Windows versions.

Download AutoRuns

Download AutoRuns and AutoRunsc

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Manage startup programs with AutoRuns

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Assigning applications to run at Windows startup is advantageous, because you can quickly start working with your most frequent used programs. Some applications register to autorun without notifying the user. You may experience a slow startup if too many programs are set to autorun.

Startup Optimizer is a freeware that lets you manage the applications that have started at the same time as Windows. After installing the program, you will be given a list with the startup programs. Disable the ones that you obviously don’t need, like “Winamp Agent” with the help of the “Delete” button. Startup Optimizer will label each program name with “Harmful”, “Unknown”, “Not Required”, “User’s Choice” and “Required”. If you are not sure what a startup program does, click on it and Startup Optimizer will display a brief description. Press the “Start” button and you should immediately see what the program does. If that doesn’t work, then press “Open” and you will see the folder in which the program is located. If the program is useless, go ahead and delete it.

After selecting a program, you will also see a Google link. Click it to see what other websites have to say about the application. This freeware lets you backup and restore your current list of startup programs.

Unfortunately, Startup Optimizer might incorrectly label some processes. Ctfmon.exe (MS Office XP file) is one of them.

Download Startup Optimizer

Copyright © Free Software Workshop - only freeware
Optimize Windows startup with Startup Optimizer

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