How do I keep this #^$&* program from loading?
LEGAL NOTE: I have done my best to make this document complete and accurate.
However, any hardware or software installation carries the possibility
of problems, including possible data loss and possible irreparable hardware
damage. I take no responsibility for any problems you might encounter as
a result of your use of this document, including errors and omissions in
this document. If you cannot accept this, do not use this document.
This document is copyrighted, but I hereby give you permission to print
a paper copy for yourself, to refer to while your computer is taken apart.
I have made this document one long page rather than a link hierarchy so
you can print and use it without a computer.
If
you're like me, you sometimes want to disable a program from loading on
startup, usually easier said than done. Here are the places you should
look:
Config.sys
Preceeding any line with REM and a space comments it out. Pressing F8 after
bootup when the "loading Windows 95" prompt appears will allow you to skip
autoexec and config for that boot.
Autoexec.bat
Preceeding any line with REM and a space comments it out. Pressing F8 after
bootup when the "loading Windows 95" prompt appears will allow you to skip
autoexec and config for that boot.
The startup folder
(\windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp). To temporarily disable the startup
folder, press and hold the shift key when you see the Windows splash screen.
Release it when Win95 is completely finished loading. To last through multiple
boots, I recommend you make a \windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUpHide
directory. When you want to disable startup of a program, move it from
Startup to Startuphide. Then when you want to put it back, you can move
it back again.
c:\windows\win.ini
(load=, run=, etc) You can comment out any line by preceeding it with a
semicolon.
Registry
NOTE! Editing the registry can be dangerous!!! If the
wrong thing is done, the computer may fail to boot and require a new install,
possibly with lost data. You take full responsibility for this.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
I recommend commenting things out instead of deleting them. In regedit,
on the right side you'll see the list of value names and value datas for
the run key. Right click on the value you wish to prevent loading, and
from the dropdown choose modify. Now simply preceed its value data string
with a semicolon. This will prevent loading. I've tested it.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
I recommend commenting things out instead of deleting them. In regedit,
on the right side you'll see the list of value names and value datas for
the runservices key. Right click on the value you wish to prevent loading,
and from the dropdown choose modify. Now simply preceed its value data
string with a semicolon. This will prevent loading. I've tested it.
Winstart.bat
A reader told me about this. I haven't observed it myself, but it's "usually
in the Windows folder". Check it out.
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