How to use MSCONFIG in Windows XP

Here is how to use MSCONFIG in Windows XP to disable some of the unnecessary programs that automatically load on start-up. Disabling these programs will help your computer boot faster and crash less.

1. In Windows XP, go to Start > Run
2. Type MSCONFIG in the "Open:" box and then either press enter on your keyboard or click on the OK button.
3. This launches Microsoft's System Configuration Utility. Click on the Startup tab (the tab at the far right).
4. This takes you to a page with a list of "startup items." Startup items are programs that are automatically loaded every time you turn on your computer. Some startup programs are absolutely necessary, others are simply a waste of RAM.

In Windows XP, all of Windows' essential programs are loaded through something called "Windows Services." This means that most of the startup items you see in XP are completely optional and can be turned off. However, a good rule of thumb is to disable only those programs that you recognize and don't need to have running all the time. When in doubt, leave it on.

Here's a good example. Adobe Reader (a program that opens 'pdf' files) is installed on most computers and it has decided that it should always be running just in case I decide to open a pdf file. To prevent Adobe Reader from automatically starting every time I boot my computer, I ran MSCONFIG and unchecked "Adobe Reader" That's it.

Some programs automatically add themselves back! Sometimes this is a good thing (Windows system files for example!) but other times it can be a real pain. MSN Messenger being one example. Having unticked 'messenger' in MSConfig then you:

1. Open messenger

2. Click the Tools menu

3. Click Options

4. Click the Preferences tab

5. Click the Run Window Messenger when Window starts box to deselect it.

Remember, disable only those programs that you recognize and don't need to have running all the time. When in doubt, leave it on. If you're feeling confident, then you can do the opposite: disable all those you don't recognise! This will leave you with an optimized startup but be sure to include any anti-virus or firewall software. If things go horribly wrong then boot into "safe mode" and re-enable the programs.

5. Click on the OK button.

6. A message will pop up telling you that you must restart your computer before these changes will take effect. Click on "Yes" and your computer will automatically reboot.

7. That's it! Your computer should now boot faster and crash less.

And if you ever want to turn on any of the startup items you disabled with MSCONFIG, just run MSCONFIG again.

This is only one way that you can improve the speed of your computer. I recommend Advanced System Care to keep your computer running at its most efficient. It does this and everything else you need for less than 20 Euros.

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