Quick Restarts and Better PC Performance with Autoruns for Windows!

Posted by Abbas ||

April 15, 2009 ||

1,130 views ||

(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

Loading ...

Rate this article:

Microsoft Installing and trying new software’s usually slows the computer down for many reasons. Among others, having many software’s in the startup folder is one of the most common reasons of a slow machine restart.

MSCONFIG is a good utility to keep tabs on the softwares adding themselves up to the startup folder and contributing their bit to slow the computer down, however, MSCONFIG does not get into the details and show you everything you need to see.

Autoruns for Windows is another utility offered by Microsoft which gets into the nitty-gritty of the programs that kick in at the time of machine restart. This not only shows the programs in the startup folder but also Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys.

Autoruns for Windows arranges these applications starting automatically under different tabs. For example you can check what applications, plugins are executed when you fire-up Internet Explorer, Winlogon, Service, Print Monitors, etc..

Tabs

If you are not sure what about any of the applications you see on the list, click on it and you will see all the related information including the application name and installation path. See the image below.

To stop from any of the applications from being executed at the time of start you can simply uncheck it. In case you are not sure if you are stopping a windows related application from being executed, check “Hide Microsoft and Windows Entries” from the “Options” dropdown. This helps you focus on 3rd party applications.

I tested it by disabeling quite a few not-required plugins and executables which were associated with Internet Explorer that were causing delay in launching the browser. I disabled a few entries and was able to launch IE in a flash.

So, if your computer is starting slow or having issue with too many programs in the startup download Autoruns for Windows from here.