how to improve windows performance

Windows has a facility for starting programs at startup time. Some of these programs are required for your computer and the applications installed on it to run correctly. A good example of such a program is a virus-checking application that must always run, constantly checking for and isolating or removing files with viruses. Other such programs are not strictly required, or are optional. In some cases, you can gain significant performance enhancements by disabling the automatic startup of these programs. In many cases, the functionality offered by the programs is still available by starting the programs manually by, for example, starting the program from the Windows Start->Programs menu. Media players and instant messaging programs often fall into this category. In fact, it is common for many modern software applications, when installed, to add programs at startup that add items to the system tray or shortcut (context) menus in Windows Explorer to provide quick access to the features and functions of these applications. While they may be useful, they do increase boot time and consume system resources.


WINDOWS SYSTEM CONFIGURATION UTILITY (MSCONFIG)

Availability
The Windows System Configuration (MSCONFIG) utility is built into Windows 98, 98SE, ME, and XP. MSCONFIG is not directly available for Windows 95, NT, or 2000.

If you are running Windows NT or 2000 you can also download the Windows XP version of MSCONFIG at http://www.thetechguide.com/downloads.html. You can also consider the free "Startup Control Panel" program at http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml.

Using the Windows System Configuration utility
The Windows System Configuration utility is used to reset or change the configuration settings in Windows to include preferences for the following files and settings:
The System.ini file
The Win.ini file
The Boot.ini file
Programs set to load during the startup process (programs specified in the Startup folder and in the registry)
Environment settings
International settings

To start the System Configuration utility:
Click Start
Click Run
Type msconfig in the Open box
Click OK

The Startup tab
The Startup tab is used to enable and disable programs that have been configured to load at startup time. Checking the checbox next to an item in the list enables it, unchecking the checkbox disables the item.




As you can see from the list above, it often not easy to detemine what a program in the list does, which application software it belongs to, or which vendor supplied it. This is where reference sites on the Web come in. Luckily, certain organizations have gone to the trouble to compile detailed lists of common startup programs, the applications they are part of and recommendations for enabling or disabling the item.


STARTUP APPLICATIONS LISTS ON THE WEB

There are quite a number of startup applications listings on the Web. You can search for these using a search engine such as Google and using the phrases 'windows startup applications.' For the purposes of this article, we are going to use the list at sysinfo.org.
Close down any applications you have open. You will need to restart your computer if you make changes.
Open your Web Browser
Go to http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php
Take note of the recommendation key at the top of the page:

"Y" - Normally leave to run at start-up
"N" - Not required - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary
"U" - User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary
"X" - Definitely not required - typically viruses, spyware, adware and "resource hogs"
"?" - Unknown
You can lookup the application by its name (The Item column) and by its executable file (the filename in the Command column, if applicable). Try the name first and then the executable.
Once you have unchecked any items you wish to disable, click Apply and then OK
You will be prompted to restart your computer. Click Restart and do this
After restarting a dialog message will indicate that the System Configuration utility is in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode. Check the box next to 'don't show this message again' and click OK

The following examples explain the process.

Example 1 - TeaTimer
I notice the item 'TeaTimer' in my list. I search for it in the sysinfo.org list and get the following result:
Name or Startup Item Status Command or Data Description
SpybotSD TeaTimer U TeaTimer.exe TeaTimer is a new tool of Spybot S&D - spam filter which perpetually monitors the processes called/initiated. It immediately detects known malicious processes wanting to start and terminates them giving you some options, how to deal with this process in the future


Reading the description, I realize that the program is part of SpyBot S&D (search and destroy), an application I have installed that is used to detect and remove spyware from my system. The status is U, meaning that the recommended action is 'User's choice.' It is up to me. At this stage I can do some further research on the Web to get more information about this program. I decide that I definitely want SpyBot to continue monitoring processes and decide not to disable TeaTimer.

Example 2 - jusched
I notice the item 'jusched' in my list and have no idea what it does. I search for it in the sysinfo.org list and get the following result:
Name or Startup Item Status Command or Data Description
jusched N jusched.exe Checks with Sun's Java updates site to see if newer Java versions are available. Visit http://java.sun.com or just run the Java Plug-In Control Panel.
SunJavaUpdateSched N jusched.exe Checks with Sun's Java updates site to see if newer Java versions are available. Visit http://java.sun.com or just run the Java Plug-In Control Panel.


The recommendation is N, meaning that the program provides typically infrequently used functionality that can be run manually if necessary. I can easily check for new Java updates manually and decide to disable this item.

Example 3 - NeroCheck (A Special Example - Possible Virus Program)
I notice the item 'NeroCheck' in my list. I know that I have installed Nero, CD and DVD burtning software, so the program is probably part of this software. But, do I need to load this program at startup?

I search for it in the sysinfo.org list and get the following result:
Name or Startup Item Status Command or Data Description
NeroCheck U NeroCheck.exe Associated with "Nero Burning Rom" CD writing software. Checks for driver issues.
NeroCheck X regedit.exe Added by the DOOMJUICE.B WORM! Note - this is not the valid Ahead Nero CD burning program. Also it is not the valid Windows registry editor which resides in C:\Windows or C:\Winnt wheras this version resides in C:\Windows\System (Win9x/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (WinNT/2K) or C:\Windows\System32 (WinXP).
NeroFilterCheck U NeroCheck.exe Associated with "Nero Burning Rom" CD writing software. Checks for driver issues.


Looking at the second item, I could get the impression that the program is a virus. Take careful note of the Command or Data value,however. It has a value of regedit.exe rather than NeroCheck.exe. I check the item in the Startup tab (System Configuration utility) and note that the item has the value NeroCheck.exe. That is, the program being loaded is part of the Nero software.

I go to the Nero Website and do a little research, determining that the NeroCheck.exe program constantly checks for drivers that conflict with the Nero software. I can always turn this back on if I have problems and decide to disable loading NeroCheck at startup.