How many start up programs should I have on Windows XP? How do I eliminate ones not needed, how do I ID them?

Start > Run > type "msconfig" (without the quotes)

Move over to the "Startup" Tab > Check and Uncheck the programs to want to have at startup and the ones you don't want at startup.

Things to remember

1#: Don't touch or change anything else other than whats under the "startup" tab. (Changing the settings in the other tabs could jack up the computer badly.)

2#: Finding out which programs to keep and which programs to remove is a hard task if you dont know computers that well. (Maybe you could upload a picture of that "Startup" tab screen.)

3#: Next to the name of the startup item should be a row that shows the path of the startup item. If you expand that row, it will give the directory name of the startup item. This should help you figure out what you want starting and what you don't want starting.

For example: If you dont want Windows Messanger to startup with the computer, then you would uncheck "msmsgs."

If you dont want Apple Quicktime to startup with the computer, then you would uncheck "qttask."

Start > Run > msconfig

Move over to the "Startup" Tab > Check and Uncheck the programs to want to have at startup and the ones you don't want at startup. then restart the system. u won't get the things again

Things to remember

1#: Don't touch or change anything else other than whats under the "startup" tab. (Changing the settings in the other tabs could jack up the computer badly.)

2#: Finding out which programs to keep and which programs to remove is a hard task if you dont know computers that well.

i've used a program called StartupRun for a few years, it works great and is very stable . . .i highly recommend it

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/strun.html

The StartupRun utility displays the list of all applications that are loaded automatically when Windows boots. For each application, additional information is displayed (Product Name, File Version, Description, and Company Name), in order to allow you to easily identify the applications that are loaded at Windows startup. if StartupRun identifies a spyware or adware program that runs at startup, it automatically paints it in pink color. In addition, you are allowed to Edit, disable, enable and delete the selected startup entries. You can also save the list of startup items into a text or html files, and even add a new startup entry to the Registry

The best tool I know of is autoruns, from sysinternals. It won't tell you what is good or bad but it will tell you what is starting up, from any of the ways code can be set up to run at startup, and let you turn things off if you want. If you have anything specific you want to turn off, this is great. I'd suggest looking up anything you don't recognize online before killing it, though... use at your own risk.

And, it's free :)

This may help

Once you're online do these simple steps anytime your computer is running slowly.

click 'tools' at the top of the screen

click 'Internet options'

click 'general' at the top

click 'settings' middle right

under 'check for newer versions of stored pages'

click 'every time I visit this page'

If you have it on 'every time you start Internet explorer' the computer is allowing updates for every stored web site you've saved. it makes a huge difference!

you've also got to periodically 'delete cookies' and 'delete files' (buttons next to 'settings' button under Internet options). If you have multiple users on your computer you have to delete their cookies and files too under their pass word account. Good luck, hope this helps

I have the same problems. I'll be watching and waiting right with you.

I did find two sources that I can check out. Maybe you can too.