start up programs

I have a lot of programs that run at start up. How do I find out what they are and if they are nessacary to run at start up? I already know how to disable programs from starting up, I just want to know which ones are not needed or essentinal at start up? Thanks for the help.

ps
Is there a program or place on the web that can tell me what is running and what they are and do?

Welcome to the Vista x64 Forums

There's an excellent guide for Vista that includes a list of startup programs and what can be disabled.

You can download the guide here: TweakGuides.com - The TweakGuides Tweaking Companion

We also have a great guide to making Vista faster in our tutorial section. You can find the link here: Speed Up the Performance of Vista

Let us know if that helps you at all.

You can go to the run panel (Start >> Programs >> Accessories, or windows key + R), and type in msconfig, you may have to allow it (just click continue). Then go to the fourth tab called startup.

And if they're necessary or not, I do not know .

Hi bassfishser,

You can see what programs you have running at startup using OPTION TWO in the tutorial below. Windows Defender is the easiest method.

Startup Programs - Enable or Disable


This link is an excellent tool to see what the startup program files are. Look in the right pane of Windows Defender under the File Path to see what file exe to lookup.

CastleCops® - StartupList

Shawn