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DADDY BOB'S COMPUTER Q & A
November 2,
2008
Q.
To see what is starting with Windows, I have
been using "msconfig" but it is so difficult
to understand all those "cryptic"
descriptions. Is there a better way that the
average person can understand?
A.
Yes, there is another way that
should make understand these programs
easier. You can use a feature in Windows
Defender, a free anti-malware program from
Microsoft. If you are using Vista you
already have it as it is installed with
Vista. If you are using a legit version of
XP, Windows Defender can be downloaded and
installed for free by clicking
HERE.
Windows Defender will co-exist without
problems with most all other anti-malware
programs. Microsoft defines Defender
like this:
Windows Defender is software that helps
protect your computer against pop-ups, slow
performance, and security threats caused by
spyware and other unwanted software by
detecting and removing known spyware from
your computer. Windows Defender features
Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system
that recommends actions against spyware when
it's detected, minimizes interruptions, and
helps you stay productive.
Once you
have Defender installed and it is operating
normally, you will not have any indication
that it is working unless there is a problem
that needs your attention. Then it will
display an icon in the system tray in the
lower right corner of your screen.
Therefore, under normal conditions, you will
have to find its entry in the Start menu to
open it.
When it
opens, click on Tools in the top menu. The
dialog that opens has two sections, Settings
and Tools. The one we are interested for
this article is called "Software Inspector".
Clicking on it opens a dialog like this:
In the
Category space, the choices are Startup
Programs, Currently Running Programs,
Network Connected Programs and Winsock
Services Providers. These are defined as:
Startup programs, which are programs that
run automatically with or without your
knowledge when you start Windows.
Currently running programs, which are
programs that are currently running on the
screen or in the background.
Network-connected programs, which are
programs or processes that can connect to
the Internet or to your home or office
network.
Winsock service providers, which are
programs that perform low-level networking
and communication services for Windows and
programs that run on Windows. These programs
often have access to important areas of the
operating system.
The one
we are concerned with is the first one,
Startup Programs. The programs listed here
are the same as are displayed in the System
Configuration dialog that is accessed by
entering msconfig.
When you
highlight an item in the left pane, its
fairly verbose description is displayed in
the right pane. This should give you an idea
of what it is, and whether or not you want
it to be starting with Windows. You have the
choice to Remove or Disable any of these
running items, or enable any of those that
are indicated as disabled. Disabling them
prevents them from being started with
Windows, but leaves the item in the listing.
Remove stops it from starting and removes it
from the list.
If you
are sure you don't want a specific item
starting with windows, you can choose to
remove it. If you are not sure, you can just
disable it, and then come back and enable it
again if you find out later that you did
need it. Either way, unlike making a change
in msconfig, the change is immediate and a
restart will probably not be required.
For a
more complete description of all the
options, click on "Using Software Explorer"
at the top of the dialog. Then if you are
adventurous you can play around with all the
options offered in the Software Explorer. |
