As you know when you install a printer, scanner, video card, sound card, etc. onto your computer you have to install the software that comes with that device. What you might not know is that there are some tag-along programs that will sometimes get installed as well. These programs might run in the background checking for updates or give you additional functionality for that device. But you don't have to have those programs running.
By using the built in program called MSCONFIG you can take control over which programs start and which ones don't start. To get to this program just click the Start button then click Run. In that new window type MSCONFIG, then OK. When this program opens up click the Startup tab and you will see a list of the programs that are or could be running when you start your computer. The programs that have a check mark in front of them are starting automatically.
What you want to do is uncheck the programs that you don't want to load automatically. Restart the computer and there you go. Those programs (theoretically) shouldn't start automatically next time. I have seen some situations where the program does automatically add itself back. If that's the case you will have to either put up with it or uninstall the software by using the Add/Remove Programs icon in the Control Panel.
Removing programs from automatically starting using MSCONFIG is only one small thing you can do to speed up your computer, but if you want more check out my free guide to speeding up your computer by reading the information below.
Get a free guide that tells you the "Top 10 Reasons Why Your Computer Is Slow ...and how you can fix it yourself"
Downloaded the free guide at http://www.fix-your-slow-computer.com
Chad Hardy is an owner of a computer repair shop and likes helping people learn more about their computers.
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