How to Disable Startup Processes in Windows Vista

If unnecessary processes are loading at startup in Windows Vista, your computer may experience errors or run very slowly. This happens because unneeded programs use up valuable system resources such as memory and processor time. There are several ways to disable these processes so that they don't load every time you start Windows Vista. The best way to remove them is using the Services snap-in of the Microsoft Management Console. However, you can also disable them using the Microsoft System Configuration Utility. Before you start disabling processes from loading at startup, check their file names on a reliable reference like the Uniblue System Process Library.

Using Services in the Microsoft Management Console

Click the "Start" button, then type "Services" in the Start Search box. Right-click "Services" in the programs menu and select "Run as administrator." You will see a list of the services that are installed on your Windows Vista computer. If a service is running, its "Status" will be listed as "Started." Look for services that have a "Startup Type" of "Automatic," as these processes load automatically when Windows Vista starts. Right-click the service's entry, then click "Properties." Beside "Startup type," select "Manual" to prevent the program from loading automatically. You will still be able to start the program manually if you need it. Choose "Automatic (Delayed Start)" to allow the process to start shortly after Windows starts to improve boot times. Select "Disabled" to prevent the program from running at all. One advantage of using the Services snap-in is that you can stop processes immediately without a reboot, if necessary. To do this, simply click the "Stop" button in the Properties window. Click "OK" to save your changes.

Using the Microsoft System Configuration Utility

Click the "Start" button, then type "Msconfig." Select "msconfig.exe" from the list of programs. In the "General" tab, click "Selective Startup." Click the "Startup" tab. Go through the list of Startup Items. Uncheck each process you don't want to load when Windows Vista starts. Click "OK." Save your work, then close all open programs if you would like to apply the changes right away. Click "Restart" to restart your computer, or click "Exit without Restart" if you plan to restart your computer later on. The processes you disabled will not be removed from memory until you restart Windows Vista.

For more information, read How to Troubleshoot Computer Startup Problems in Windows XP and Vista.

Sources:

"Manage services in Windows Vista," Microsoft.com
"How to use the System Configuration utility to troubleshoot configuration errors in Windows Vista," Microsoft.com