(Originally posted to Computer Haven on June 8th, 2007.)
The Registry is where Windows keeps nearly all of its data. Think of it as the Mind of Windows. There are two commonly accessed places in the registry called the Run keys. Programs list themselves here when they want to be loaded at Windows startup. We can remove things from these two keys that we do not want to Run at startup. You may wish to print this topic.
We are going to open the registry editor, then we are going to navigate to two registry keys. The keys are in the left pane. When you click on these keys, the data or values of those keys appears in the right pane. The two keys we're going to navigate to, are known as the RUN keys. But before we modify the registry, we are going to create a system restore point.
First close all programs. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools, and you will see an entry for System Restore. Click on it. When the System Restore wizard opens, choose to Create a New Restore Point. Where it lets you give it a name, call it "Before editing the registry" and click next. Once it has created the restore point, you can close System Restore.
Open the registry editor: Go to Start/Run, in the run box type "regedit" without the quotes, and hit enter. This opens the registry editor. Unfortunately (for beginners in the subject), it opens to the last place that was accessed in the editor. I assume it will open somewhere in the middle, so the first thing you have to do is to scroll all the way to the top. There are five top level branches of the registry, known as hives. When you scroll to the top, look at the farthest left part of the first line and you will see either a + or a - sign. As in Windows Explorer, when the + is showing, it means that it can be expanded if you click on the plus sign. If you see a minus sign, it means it is already expanded. What I'd like you to do is to close all branches by click on the minus signs. That will leave you with a list as follows:
+ HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT + HKEY_CURRENT_USER + HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE + HKEY_USERS + HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
We are going to first go into the CURRENT_USER branch, and then the LOCAL_MACHINE branch.
So first, click the plus sigh next to HKEY CURRENT_USER. That opens a list underneath it.
Scroll down and click the plus sign next to Software.
Next click the plus sign next to Microsoft.
Next click the plus sign next to Windows
Next click the plus sign next to Current Version.
Now scroll down until you see a folder called Run, and click on it. Now in the right-pane you will see a list of things that are loaded when Windows starts. There are probably not too many in that list. You can simply delete any of the things in this list that you do not want to run at startup. ________________________________________
Now close up that branch by working your way back up and clicking the minus signs to close each part, so you are left with the top five branches again.
Now we are going to do the same thing with the LOCAL_MACHINE branch.
Click the plus sign next to HKEY LOCAL_MACHINE.
Click the plus sign next to Software.
Click the plus sign next to Microsoft.
Click the plus sign next to Windows.
Click the plus sign next to Current Version.
Find the Run folder and click on it.
Look to the right pane and you will see a relatively long list of items that run at startup listed there. Be more careful about removing anything in this list, as it may contain necessary software for proper functioning of various devices. If you are unsure about whether to delete something in this list or not, post to the forum and ask. Patty MacDuffie Computer Haven Admin
Live Long and Prosper Mr. Spock
_________________ Patty MacDuffie Computer Haven Administrator
Live Long and Prosper Mr. Spock
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