Programs That Run At Startup. Which Ones To Remove And How To Do It

Is your computer booting slowly? You probably have too many programs that run at startup. Learn how to identify and remove from the startup list programs that shouldn't be there. Un Boot heavy is probably what users hate the most.

There can be many reasons for a PC to boot slowly, one of the causes of this is the large number of programs that run automatically once you start Windows 10.

In this article we will take a closer look at some software that slows down the startup of the PC and we will see how we can disable them without taking risks. In addition, we will tell you how to manage the startup programs and how to determine which of them you should or should not allow to run automatically at startup.

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Programs that run at startup

Below we show you some of the programs that run at startup and may be slowing down your computer:

1. iTunes Assistant

If you have an Apple device (iPod, iPhone, among others), iTunes will automatically launch when the device is connected to the PC. This is an unnecessary process, since you can start it manually whenever you want, and it is especially unnecessary if you do not have an Apple device.

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2. QuickTime

QuickTime gives you the opportunity to play and open various media files. The program is often necessary to view any web content, specifically videos. But, you don't need it to run at startup, so you can get around this. We'll explain how to do it in a moment.

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3. Zoom

Yes, we all love Zoom and it is one of the programs that run at startup. But, this is not necessary, because you can start it manually whenever you need to attend meetings. Also, disabling it at startup does not affect updates.

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4. Adobe Reader

You probably know Adobe Reader as the popular web reader. PDF on your computer. While you don't need it (and there are excellent alternative PDF readers), Adobe Reader is still the favorite. However, you don't need to run it automatically at startup. Uncheck this one from the list and the problem is solved.

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5. Skype

Skype is a great video chat program, no one argues about that. But do you need it to start as soon as you log into Windows? Probably not, so delete it from the list of those programs that run at startup on your computer. You should uncheck it on the list.

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6. Google Chrome

Did you know that for what Google Chrome stay up to date, don't you need it to start automatically? If you run it at startup, it's just consuming system resources that Windows could use to keep startup problems running smoothly.

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7. Spotify Web Assistant

Spotify helps us discover new music. But with the new player that the company has launched, it doesn't even need to be installed. However, if you already have it on your PC, you might find this little app on your startup.

You can allow the Spotify app to communicate with your browser very easily. When you tap on any Spotify song anywhere on the web, it automatically opens in the desktop app. Is it worth the extra money to download Spotify? There start with this one? Not really.

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8. CyberLink YouCam

If you have a webcam, chances are you have CyberLink's YouCam for your software. So, "they" (the manufacturers) feel that you should add it to the list of programs that run at startup. So what does it do when it starts? Nothing, except add unnecessary processes. Uncheck that option and ignore these people.

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9. Evernote

Evernote is great for everyone who is familiar with it. But, it has always been puzzling that it adds itself to startup, which is not necessary at all. You can easily disable it and use it whenever you like. This way, you won't face any problems when you try to start the system.

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10. Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office is usually the preferred office suite. But why would you want to run it on startup? There's really no point in doing so if it's not the only thing you use your PC for. If I disable it, can I still open any files? Yes. Can any of the programs be started manually? Yes. Allowing it to auto-start is simply adding another load to your system.

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What programs should I add to startup in Windows 10?

The following programs should always be run at startup or are at least recommended:

1. Security software (antivirus programs, firewall, among others.

Windows 10 comes with its own arsenal of software to protect your computer against outside attacks. However, if you have disabled these applications and use other software, make sure it runs from the moment you log in. The best way to ensure this is to use the startup folder in Windows 10.

2. Backup software

If you use backup software to protect your data, it should be among the programs that run at startup, meaning you should add it to the Windows 10 startup folder. That way, you won't forget to turn on your backup software.

3. Software you use regularly

Other candidates for the startup folder in Windows 10 are programs that you use regularly. These include program managers, clipboard or programs VPN, as well as solutions storage in the cloud and email clients.

You must delete game and chat clients, Apple and Adobe applications such as QuickTime or Adobe Reader, and utilities such as the registry. Cleaners or toolbars are typical examples of applications that run at startup, but they probably don't have to.

How to identify which startup programs are safe to disable

When viewing programs that run at startup, msconfig or Task Manager, it can be difficult to know which programs should or should not be loaded. Below are steps that will tell you how to identify startup programs and help determine whether you want them to load.

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As a general rule, it is safe to remove any startup program. If a program starts automatically, it is usually because it provides a service that works better if it is always running, such as an antivirus program. Or the software may be needed to access special features of a program. hardware, such as proprietary printer software.

In other cases, software loads at startup simply because that makes it load faster when you manually launch the program. To identify a startup program, determine the file name and search for it. If you already know the name of the startup program file, use the search.

If you have not yet identified the file name, follow the steps below to determine the file name using msconfig, the registry or Task Manager in newer versions of Windows.

System Configuration (msconfig)

Microsoft Windows 8 and later versions They have moved startup programs from System Configuration to Windows Task Manager. Please follow the instructions below:

• Step 1: Open the Startup tab in Windows System Configuration, which can be opened by running msconfig from the execution or search line.
• Step 2: Once on the Home tab, you can find the program's file name in the Command column. You may need to expand the size of the column by placing the pointer over the column divider, then click and drag the column to see the file name.

As seen in the example above, after expanding the Command column, you can see the command below: C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RAVCpl64.exe –s. In this example, RAVCpl64.exe is the file name you would use in a search to identify its purpose on your computer.

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The startup program will often be an executable file, meaning it ends with the file extension .exe. Also, many programs in the system configuration have command switches (such as -so/c); these switches should not be included in the search.

Windows' register

Please note that making an inappropriate change to the registry may cause problems with your computer. Please follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Open the Windows registry by running the command Regedit from a line of execution or search.
• Step 2: Once in the registry, look for the path shown below: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• Step 3: when you are in the folder Run, you will see one or more programs running at Windows startup, as shown in the following image.

As seen in the example above, after expanding the column Facts & figures, you can see the full value of the file path for the IntelliPoint program: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center\ipoint.exe

In this example, «ipoint.exe» is the file name you would use in a search to identify its purpose on your computer.

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The programs listed in the folder Run They are usually executable files, meaning they end with the file extension .exe.

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Windows Task Manager

With the introduction of Microsoft Windows 8, it is now possible to view the startup programs and its impact on your computer's startup time. You can also enable or disable programs that run at startup. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Step 1: Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del on the keyboard and choosing Task Manager.
• Step 2: Once in Task Manager, open the Startup tab, find the startup program, right click on the program name and select Properties.

As seen in the example above, after right clicking on WhatPulse and select Properties, the file name is displayed whatpulse.exeSearching for this file name would identify the purpose of this computer program.

What exactly is the Windows 10 startup folder?

As soon as you start your system or log into your user account, Windows 10 will automatically launch any programs or files listed in the startup folder. Until Windows 8, you could view and switch these apps directly from the Start menu. Starting from version 8.1 and above, including Windows 10, you can only access to the home folder from your personal user files.

Apps in the startup folder run automatically when all users log in. This folder is usually managed by the system administrator. Windows 10 may also need to access it, for example when installing software.

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Don't confuse the home folder with the Autorun feature. Autorun is a feature that allows the operating system to perform a specific action automatically when you insert a removable storage device, such as a CD or memory stick. USB. Typically, the startup folder only contains links to programs you want to start automatically.

However, the home folder can also contain any other files (such as scripts). commands) that you want to run when you log in. In addition to the programs in the Windows 10 startup folder, there are other files that are a permanent part of your operating system and run automatically at startup. These include the Run, RunOnce, RunServices, and RunServicesOnce keys in the Windows registry.

Nota: most of the malicious programs They take advantage of the auto-start feature of these keys by placing malicious files in them so that programs run automatically without your knowledge every time you start Windows.

Why it is important to manage the startup folder in Windows 10

Good management of Windows 10 startup programs is important for several reasons. The main reason to add applications, services, or scripts to the startup folder is obvious: if you use programs or processes that you need or want to run automatically when you log in, You can save a lot of time by adding them to your home folder.If you're an administrator, you can even add programs directly to the shared startup folder for all Windows 10 users.

Automatic execution of processes, services and applications at startup It can be convenient, but it can also be a disadvantage. if it uses too many of your computer's resources, which makes logging in and using the system slower. In other words, it won't save you time unless your computer has enough resources to launch all applications without having performance issues.

If you're having performance issues, it's worth taking a look at to your startup folder in Windows 10. Windows may be running too many CPU-hungry apps or programs without any good reason every time you log into the system. To fix this problem, remove unnecessary apps from your startup folder.

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If you are experiencing regular performance issues, you should also check whether certain processes are consuming unnecessary amounts of RAM. If so, try freeing up some memory.

Location of the startup folder in Windows 10

As mentioned above, the Startup folder in Windows 10 no longer appears directly in the Start menu, although the user-specific Startup and All Users folders are still located in the Start menu directory. Here are the exact locations of these folders:

• C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\Startup
• C: \ ProgramData \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Start Menu \ Programs \ Startup

Both folders are buried deep in the directory structures of the Windows 10 partition, which is why the operating system allows you to open either directories using commands. shell.

To do this, open the dialog box Run from the Start menu or by using the keyboard shortcut [Windows] + [R], and then enter one of the following, depending on whether you want to open your own home folder or the folder for all users:

• shell: startup
• shell: common startup

How to add programs to the startup folder in Windows 10

Many programs offer the option to run at startup in their settings. You should first check if the software you want to add to startup offers this option. If so, you can use it. Otherwise, you can easily add already installed programs to your startup folder in Windows 10.

All you have to do is create a shortcut to the executable file (.exe file) and save it to your home folder. If you don't know where to find the file executable, simply use the Windows search bar: enter the name of the application, right-click on the program and select Open file location.

Nota: If you have hidden the search bar in Windows 10, you can show it at any time by right-clicking on the Windows logo. Windows and selecting «Search«. You need to create a shortcut to add the program. To do so, follow the instructions:

• Step 1: Right-click the file that Windows automatically selects, and choose Send to -> Desktop (create shortcut).
• Step 2: Find the new shortcut on your desktop and copy it to the startup folder in Windows 10 using copy and paste o drag and drop.

How to disable startup programs in Windows 10

Of course, you can also remove any programs you've added to your startup folder in Windows 10. To do this, simply delete the shortcuts from the startup folder.

Please note that you need administrator privileges to remove shortcuts from the All Users startup folder. Alternatively, if you set a program to run at startup in the program settings window, you can disable it there.

On the other hand, you can delete the startup configurations using the Task Manager, although Task Manager also lists programs and services that are not in your startup folders.

To open the task manager, simply hold down the [Ctrl] and [Shift] and press [I]. Go to the Startup tab. This tab lists the startup programs on your Windows 10 system, including publisher information, current status (enabled/disabled), and the program's impact on system startup (low, high, or not measured).

If you are an administrator, you will also see additional information about whether startup programs are from a folder or the registry, as well as the exact location of each program. To delete a program, right click on the program in Task Manager and select Deactivate.

You need to learn: How to Find and Delete Empty Folders in Windows 10

Final thoughts

The core services that Windows 10 requires to run properly are loaded automatically when Windows starts. You don't have to manage these processes, nor can you. However, you are free to manage user software installed on your own computer or as a system administrator.

However, you should be very careful with this; “Don’t go deleting an important file from your computer and causing a worse mess.” Basically, you should leave security software, backup software, and other software running at startup alone. And, you can, or rather, you should, remove all non-essential applications, scripts, and services from the startup folder, to ensure that startup is as efficient as possible in Windows 10.