How to Remove Startup Programs and Services
RapidStart™ by Support.com® automatically recommends and removes startup items and services to speed up computer startup time. To ensure your computer operates smoothly, RapidStart does not remove startup items and services required by the Windows® operating system.
If you do not want RapidStart to automatically manage and optimize your computer startup, you can follow these steps to remove startup items and services. Performing these steps manually should only be done by a tech expert. While RapidStart uses an advanced method to provide and update its recommendations, it is possible that when you manually remove startup items and services you may remove an item or service that is vital to the operation of your computer. You could render your computer unbootable, unstable or cause unexpected problems or crashes.
The following are instructions for you to manually remove startup items and services. The method to manually remove startup items and services depends on the version of the Windows operating system running on your computer. The system tools for removing startup services and items for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Choose your operating system to continue:Windows 7
Windows Vista
Windows XP
Windows 7
For Windows 7, the steps below are an overview of what is required to remove startup items and services. These steps should only be performed by a tech expert.
1. Open the "Administrative Tools" in the "Control Panel":
2. Open "System Configuration":
3. Select the "Services" tab:
4. Go through each "Service" and un-check those you do not want to load when your computers starts. Make sure you know what each service is before you un-check the box. Some services are required for the proper operation of your computer and/or installed applications. If you are not sure do not un-check the service. To apply your changes, select "Apply".
5. Click on the "Startup" tab:
6. Have a tech expert un-check startup items that you do not want to run when your computer starts. To apply the changes select "Apply".
7. Additional services may need to be disabled directly via the "Services" configuration tool. This tool should only be used by a tech expert and enables you to adjust the startup behavior of all services installed on your system:
8. There are multiple Startup Types for each service –Automatic (Delayed Start), Automatic, Manual and Disabled. Before changing the behavior of a startup service, consult with a tech expert.
9. You may be prompted to restart your computer (the changes will only take effect after a restart).
Windows Vista
Removing and/or delaying startup programs and services on a computer running Windows Vista is similar to Windows 7.
1. Open the "Administrative Tools" in the "Control Panel":
2. Open "System Configuration":
3. Select the "Services" tab:
4. Go through each "Service" and un-check services you do not want to load when your computers starts. Make sure you know what each service is before you un-check the box. Some services are required for the proper operation of your computer and/or installed applications. If you are not sure do not un-check the service.
5. Click on the "Startup" tab:
6. Have a tech expert un-check startup items that you do not need to run with your computer starts up. To apply the changes, select "Apply".
7. Additional services may need to be disabled directly via the "Services" configuration tool. This tool should only be used by a tech expert and enables you to adjust the startup behavior of all services installed on your system:
8. There are multiple Startup Types for each service –Automatic (Delayed Start), Automatic, Manual and Disabled. Before changing the behavior of a startup service, consult with a tech expert.
9. You may be prompted to restart your computer (the changes will only take effect after a restart).
Windows XP
The method of removing and delaying startup items and services is different for computers running Windows XP than for Windows Vista and Windows 7.
1. Run "msconfig" from the Windows XP Start Menu:
2. The "System Configuration Utility" tool will open:
3. Select the "Services" tab:
4. Go through each "Service" and un-check services you do not want to load when your computers starts. Make sure you know exactly what each service is before you un-check the box. Some services are required for the proper operation of your computer and/or installed applications. If you are not sure do not un-check the service.
5. Click on the "Startup" tab:
6. Have a tech expert un-check startup items that you do not need to run with your computer starts up.
7. Additional services may need to be disabled directly via the "Services" configuration tool. This tool should only be used by a tech expert and enables you to adjust the startup behavior of all services installed on your system.
8. In the "Administrative Tools" in the "Control Panel" open "Services":
9. There are multiple Startup Types for each service –Automatic, Manual and Disabled. Before changing the behavior of a startup service, consult with a tech expert.
10. You may be prompted to restart your computer (the changes will only take effect after a restart).
