Shoutbox

What I was wondering, is if there is any way to remove items that are unchecked from "msconfig". As even if the pieces of software are removed that required the startup, the items are still there.



I'm quite fussy about having a lot of mess .

You could navigate to the location, either in the registary, or in one of the startup folders, then delete the item from their, then it shouldn't show up in msconfig.

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Originally posted by Plik
You could navigate to the location, either in the registary, or in one of the startup folders, then delete the item from their, then it shouldn't show up in msconfig.

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No it wont, it would still be there...

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MS config stores its settings in the registry under:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig

Look into the subkeys, especially startupreg. There you'll see that those unticked items are stored. You can simply delete them there.

Or use a tool like andrewdodd13 pointed to, MS Config Cleanup, which should do exactly the same.

But, despite what method you use to clean it up, don't forget to put Windows back in normal startup mode (do this in MS Config, first tab named "General").

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Changing startup items in MS Config isn't the proper thing to do as it always leaves trails. Not to mention it will trigger your Windows to startup in an "alternative" mode and stuff unticked is as easy ticked by accident or by starting up again in a normal way or whatever.

To properly detect, investigate and maybe delete startup items. Use Sysinternals' AutoRuns which is completely free, doesn't require any installation, is very often updated and list all startup entries possible (and there are a hell of a lot! Far more than many people know and waaaaaaay more than tools like MS Config, Startup Control Panel, Starter or whatever tool will ever show)...

Bottom line: never use MS Config to alter startup entries or to try and remove some. Use AutoRuns instead.

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A related tool, to constantly monitor the startup "Run" keys in the registry is StartupMonitor. This very small tool sits in memory and warns you if any program tries to add a registry entry in the "Run" sections and asks for your confirmation. This tool is, just as AutoRuns, almost a must to have for those who are concearned about such things.

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Also see "CookieRevised's reply to Start-up Programs"

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/msconfigcleanup.html does exactly what you want, but I agree with Cookie, MSConfig isn't really all that great.

Thanks a lot cookie that worked a charm.

I will try the msconfig cleanup utility now thanks Andrew .