Remove old, unchecked MSConfig Startup entries

To run msconfig: Start > Run > type: msconfig > click OK and go to the Startup tab.

To remove UNCHECKED startup items in msconfig, first open the Registry Editor: Start > Run > type regedit or regedt32 > click OK. Expand HKey Local Machine:

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg]
[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SharedTools\MSConfig\startupfolder]

Backup the Registry and delete unwanted entries. "How to backup, edit and restore the Registry..." from Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=322756

The Microsoft link above says:

"...you should use the Windows user interface to change your system settings instead of manually editing the registry. However, editing the registry may sometimes be the best method to resolve a product issue". And Microsoft suggests that you use the Backup utility to back up the System State which includes the Registry, the COM+ Class Registration Database, and your boot files. Backup is located under Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup.

After deleting old Registry entries from startupreg or the startupfolder (see above for the full HKLM path), close the Registry Editor and restart msconfig: Click Start,  Run and type: msconfig, click OK. Under the Startup tab notice that items unchecked are gone and "Normal Startup" was automatically selected under the General tab. To close msconfig, click Cancel or OK.

If unsure of whether to uncheck and remove items from msconfig startup, use a search engine like http://www.google.com to identify the startup entry. Do not uncheck and remove firewall, antivirus and antispyware entries.

Source: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/MSCONFIG.htm


Enjoy!