Hi perplexed,
Here you go -
1. how can I tell which ones I can safely switch off
Go to the following website, you will easily be able to search for any
entries and find out whether it is needed or not.
"This database will allow you to search for programs that you find
starting automatically on your computer and determine if they are
considered to be malware (harmful), unnecessary to run, or necessary
to run. To examine your computer for programs that are automatically
started by Windows, you can download and install Autoruns by
Sysinternals. You can then search for entries found in the programs
output using this database to determine if the program should be
running. If from the information you decide they are not necessary to
run, you can uncheck that entry in the Autoruns program and it will no
longer start.
There are currently 16145 startup items in our database.
Each entry in the database will have a Status assigned to it. The key
to this status is the following:
* Y - This status flag means that this entry should be left alone
and be allowed to run as if it is unchecked it may break the
functionality or use of a particular program.
* N - This status flag means it is unnecessary to run this program
automatically when Windows starts as you can run it manually when
necessary.
* U - This status flag means it is up to you whether or not you feel
this program needs to run automatically.
* X - This status flags means the item should definitely not start
up automatically. Items that have this flag are generally malware such
as viruses, trojans, hijackers, spyware, etc.
* ? - This status flag means the status of this entry is unknown at
this time and more research is necessary."
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/
If you can't find something in the above database, try this one:
http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php
2. how can I switch them off so that they dont automatically reappear
the next time I reboot?
Download and run AutoRuns by Sysinternals. You will be able to
disable any you don't want (don't delete anything unless you are sure
of what you are doing).
AutoRuns
"This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of
auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what
programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and
shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them. These
programs include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other
Registry keys. You can configure Autoruns to show other locations,
including Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects,
Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and much more. Autoruns
goes way beyond the MSConfig utility bundled with Windows Me and XP.
To disable an auto-start entry uncheck its check box. To delete an
auto-start configuration entry use the Delete menu item or toolbar
button."
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/Autoruns.mspx
3. If I stop them automatically starting them selves, will they
nevertheless be there when a program I want to run needs them?
If you disable them, you will be able to re-enable them again if needed.
4. Is there a list of the most common -say 1000, that tells me what
they do and how important they are?
These lists of top entries are based on the amount of views per entry.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/
Additional Links of Interest
How to Remove Startup Programs
http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2006/08/22/how-to-remove-startup-programs.html
How to manage Windows startup?
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Startup.htm
How to Modify the List of Programs that Run When You Start Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=314488
Restore Your Computer's Performance with Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/northrup_restoreperf.mspx
I hope this helps to get you off to a good start. If you have any
questions, please post a clarification request and wait for me to
respond before closing/rating my answer.
Thank you and good luck!
hummer
I searched my bookmarks for suitable websites. |
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
20 Nov 2006 15:35 PST
Hi perplexed,
Thank you for your nice note, rating, and tip! I'm very glad to hear
that you found my answer clear and to the point.
I searched for incd.exe at the link I gave you and it says this:
N - Ahead InCD packet writing software. Similar to DirectCD. On my
system there isn't an entry, on another visitor's there is. Run
manually before insert an appropriately formatted CD-RW disk
N - This status flag means it is unnecessary to run this program
automatically when Windows starts as you can run it manually when
necessary.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/
So there you have it, it is safe to stop it from loading automatically
because you will be able to run it manually when needed. It also gives
you an idea how to use the website.
Take care,
hummer
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