Many applications and services automatically start every time you turn on your computer. Some of these programs in Windows startup are required and desired, but many are not needed at all and can unnecessarily slow your PC down.

The longer you have had your computer, the more likely it is that unneeded programs are clogging your PC’s startup process.

Advantages of auto-starting programs

  • Critical security software will always load without intervention from you, ensuring that your PC is continually protected.
  • Software can automatically check for updates, without you having to remember to check. Such updates can include important security patches and product upgrades.
  • Your frequently accessed programs are pre-loaded, and may also use system tray icons that provide fast access to the program — you are saved both time and effort.

Disadvantages of auto-starting programs

  • The computer loads programs you don’t want or need, unnecessarily slowing the time it takes your PC to boot.
  • The computer continually runs programs that are rarely used, wasting system memory and overtaxing Windows resources.
  • Unwanted plug-ins and dangerous programs often conceal themselves in startup areas of the registry and run without your knowledge.

Solution

The ideal solution is for you to take control over what programs automatically launch with Windows—you can reap the benefits of having your important applications load, while preventing unnecessary programs from slowing down your PC.

Three System Mechanic tools can help you manage the Windows startup processing on your computer:

  • The Optimize Windows Startup tool uses a wizard to guide you through removing unneeded startup commands. You can choose to completely automate the removal of items from startup, or you can view a list of potentially unneeded startup items and choose which ones you want to remove.
  • The Configure Windows Startup tool lists all the items currently configured to start when Windows loads. You can enable, disable, or delete startup items, view detailed file descriptions and properties, create startup profiles, and more.
  • ActiveCare can automatically remove unneeded items from startup when they are detected; enable Automatically optimize startup configuration on the Automated Tasks pane.