[Nemo2000]

When I login under XP there are a number of programs (anti-virus etc) which start automatically and their icons appear in the 'tray' at bottom right of the screen.

How can I disable any of these applications from starting automatically at login? All the info in the XP Help seems to talk just about how to remove icons from the Start Menu, which does not have the desired effect.

Should I use the Add/Remove Programs option for this? I am loathe to do a Remove in case it deletes the program entirely and I can't then get it back! Also, I do't want to lose the ability to run any of these applications at all, i just want to be able to choose if/when I start them.

This seems one of those "simple tasks" that just isn't mentioned anywhere. Years ago with Windows 3.1 it was easy - I could just edit the .INI file - but I'm lost with XP!

 

[bensoir]

Hi for each program there should be an option to stop auto run on startup so first of all check the program setting for each application.

If that fails start>run type msconfig and click on the startup tab.

In here will be a list of application, just uncheck the ones you don't wish to run at startup.

Hope this helps

 

[Nemo2000]

The reason behind my original query was that my new PC came with a copy of Norton Security pre-installed ready for a 30 day free trial. Every time that I login to XP I get a pop-up from Norton asking to start the install process, which I decline.

As I'm using AVG, Zone labs etc I don't want the Norton, but I was loathe to do a "Remove Program" at this stage "just in case", so I just wanted to stop the auto-start (it was getting annoying!). I used msconfig and un-ticked in the Start tab anything marked Norton or Symantec (rather a bit of guess work). Hmm.....

When the PC re-booted, after the Compaq flash screen I then got the black-and-white 'select hardware profile' screen - never had that before. After that the screen went black and stayed like that, but the XP boot process continued and by guessing where to put the cursor on the blank screen and then entering the password it logged in (unseen)! I held down the power switch to turn off, pressed it on again - and the screen came back all logged in and ready to go!!!

Anyway, I've decided not meddle any more and done a roll-back to an earlier state I think I'll just live with the Norton annoyance for a while and then Remove Program altogether - safer like that.

Interested tho' in any further comments please on where I went wrong and what caused the strange PC behaviour.

 

[Old Rich]

Removing Norton is the safest way to proceed . . there are likely little bits still trying to run , ,