How can I clean up my laptop and stop various programmes running automatically when I start up?

Go to Start - Run - type in "MSCONFIG" - you will then have a tab to choose/de-select programs that start when your pc does.

If you have XP still you should also "Defragment" your hard drive - its not complicated !!! and speeds your loading times up a lot

go to:

Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.

Windows Vista and 7 should do this automatically.

If not - just type "Defragment" into the start box and it should show up.

I assume you are using windows XP.

1. Click on the start button. The start menu will show up.

2. Click on the option named 'Run'. A small window will appear.

3. Type 'msconfig' in there and click on OK.

4. A dialog box will open, click on 'startup' tab.

5. You will see a list of programs that startup automatically when you power on your computer. They will have a check mark next to them.

6. Just un-check the ones you don't want to start automatically at startup.

7. Click on Apply and OK.

8. Restart your computer.

9. After restart, you will get a box, put a check mark in there and click on OK.

Now you won't have any unnecessary programs starting up automatically when you power on your computer.

Good luck!

\personally i would use a program that does this for you, instead of risking damaging your computer, for example windws defender. with this you can chose hat programmes run at startup. or simply uninstall old programmes that you no-longer use