Using msconfig to Improve Computer Performance.

Background: 

It turns out there are lots of processes and programs that run each time your computer runs - even before you start any of your programs (such as Outlook Express or Internet Explorer or Word). I call these programs (that run automatically without you launching them) "startup" programs. These start running each and every time you start your computer. Some of these are necessary for the running of your computer, but many others are not.  And those that are not necessary may be slowing down your computer, making it take longer to boot up or making your programs run sluggishly.

How did the ones that are NOT necessary get set up to start each time? Well, every time you (or the providers of your computer) install software, the new software may have put unneeded and unnecessary programs into this startup process.

Our goal is to go through a list of these "startup" programs and tell your computer NOT to run the unnecessary ones.

You might want to print out this page and have it on your desk as you run through these steps.

Note: The instructions and images below are for Windows XP.  If you have Windows Vista, the process for bringing up the msconfig screen is a little different.  Check this page.

Close all your programs except Internet Explorer (or whatever browser program you use) and go to this page

Now, while holding the WINDOWS key down on your keyboard (see picture on right), hit the R key on your keyboard.

(Or, click START then RUN)

The previous step should have opened up the RUN dialog box.  Now, next to the word "OPEN", type "msconfig" (without the quotation marks) and then click OK. 

The previous step should have opened up the "System Configuration Utility" dialog box.  Click on the tab labeled STARTUP. You should be at a screen that looks something like this.

Every item that has a checkmark on the left is a program or process that starts up every time you boot up your computer. Some of these may be the reason your computer is performing less than optimally. For each of these checked items, we are going look up that item on the internet site (the one we opened in step 1), and figure out which ones we don't want to run automatically each time your start your computer. You will repeat the following steps for EACH OF THE ITEMS with a checked box.

Write down the start-up item (for example, NvCpl, or DLACTRLW). Upper and lower case don't matter.

Without closing the System Configuration Utility window, switch over to the open internet browser window you opened up to the sysinfo.org web site.  

In the search box at sysinfo.org, enter the exact thing you wrote down (e.g. nvcpl) and click SEARCH 

Read the recommendations and take appropriate action. 

• If sysinfo.org says "N" or "X", definitely uncheck the box in the System Configuration Utility window. (But write down which one you unchecked.  if something weird happens later, you can change it back to a checked box.  This is unlikely, but possible).
• If sysinfo.org says "Y" leave the box checked. 
• If sysinfo.org says "U" you might need to do further investigation. If you are unsure, I recommend you leave those alone (that is, if they are checked, leave them checked).

Note: some start-up item names may have more than one recommendation on the web page.  You may need to look more closely in the System Configuration Utility window to see WHERE the program is located and figure out which of the STATUS values on the sysinfo.org web page apply to your program.

Do steps 5a through 5d for EVERY ITEM THAT IS CHECKED in the System Configuration Utility window

When you have done all your research, and unchecked all the appropriate boxes in the System Configuration Utility window (and written down on a piece of paper the ones you unchecked), click OK in the System Configuration Utility window. It may suggest you need to reboot - if does, click OK and reboot. If it doesn't tell you that you need to reboot, go ahead and reboot your computer anyway (START > TURN OFF COMPUTER > RESTART).

When your computer reboots, a window will come up telling you what you already know - that you've used the System Configuration Utility to manually change the programs that automatically load up. Click on the box that says "don't show this message…." And then click OK.

Now use your computer as you normally do and see if it is running better. You may notice it boots up more quickly, shuts down more quickly, runs programs more quickly - or you may or may not notice any improvement. 

Be sure to keep that list of items you un-checked. If, over the next few weeks, you find some of your programs are acting funky, you might need to repeat this process and re-check some of the boxes you un-checked.