What needs to be running in the background and how do I stop things that I don't need running in the background? In XP I always went to "run" and "misconfig" and unchecked what didn't need to be running but I have no idea in Vista what needs to be checked or not or how I get to where I need to be to change it.

Linda

It's the same in Vista (msconfig), but be sure you know what you are doing before you delete anything.

I don't know what I'm doing. lol I don't know what some of the abbreviations stand for so how do I find out what I need and what I don't need? I realize this would be different for everyone.

Best thing to do on a new PC, especially a package one like compaq or dell, hp etc is to just go through Programs & Features and uninstall the items which are not needed. This also saves disk space, and is a more thorough way of removing the bloatware which is pre-installed on new PCs.

I would advise against using MSCONFIG to remove items in Vista, it works the same way as it does in XP, but if you dont want the program, just uninstall it. Less chance of pwning your installation.

That said, if you are comfortable using it and know what the items do, then by all means use Msconfig. Works well when used properly.

Just out of curiosity, what is the difference between "add reply" and "quick reply"? lol

Okay, my problem is that I don't know what programs I need in some cases. I wanted to get rid of Quick Time but someone told me (not here) that I need it for videos and such. Most things I watch on WMP so I'm not quite sure why I need Quick Time. What might be some other things I don't need? I do know how to use misconfig but as I stated above, I don't know what all the abbreviations mean so I would be hesitant to uncheck something in case it has to run in the background (i.e. Avast).

Every morning my Kodak Easy Share program opens and I have to quit and then when I got to the taskbar to shut it down, it brings up a box to register. I already have an account and I keep being prompted that something's not working or something so I have to put up with that opening every morning. I'm guessing that is one of the things running in the background that I can uncheck. Help. lol

Linda

Add reply gives more choices for formatting your reply. Fast reply is so that you can quickly type and respond to things.

There have been recent problems with Vista computers using MSCONFIG to modify start entries. I'd suggest either using the Startup Manager in Windows Defender, or using this free program: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysintern...s/Autoruns.mspx

Thank you. How would I get to this (Windows Defender)? I think this is new in Vista.

Linda

Go to the Start menu, then scroll down the list of programs to locate Windows Defender.
Click on it.
Once in Windows Defender, click on Tools, then on the Software Explorer link.

Thank you. I will try that but I still don't know what needs to be running in the background. If I post a screen shot, will someone be able to tell me what I can uncheck?

What to uncheck is determined by what you need. For example, I have no need for the Kodak EasyShare software (and personally don't like it). So my recommendation would be to get rid of it - but you may want to keep it because you're used to it.

That being said, you can disable things without deleting them. So, should you want them back you can just re-enable them.

Posting a list will get you some recommendations - so go ahead if that'll help you.

I thought we were talking about things running in the background? I use my Kodak Easy Share all the time. It came with my digital camera. That being said, it doesn't have to be running in the background does it? I will take a screen shot and post it in a few minutes.

Okay, here are my screen shots of my startup menu. I had to do one half at a time.

The bottom 2 entries in the second screen shot are for the Kodak Software that starts when you computer does (and runs in the background until you use it).

I would disable the Adobe Acrobat, Cyberlink, SupportSoft, QuickTime, Incredimail at a minimum

FWIW, I'd suggest using the free program that I mentioned above to get a more complete listing of what starts with Windows.

Okay, I've got Windows Defender opened to the right place. So now I just highlight and "remove" or "disable" so that the above-mentioned don't run in the background? Also, if Kodak isn't running in the background that doesn't mean I can't use it, right? Right now it's driving me nuts because it opens every time I turn the computer on.

Linda

Background programs run in the background to provide faster access to the program when you need it. You can still use it, but it may take a bit longer to load.

Once you finish using the program (and closing it) you'll need to check and see if it remains in the background by checking for Kodak stuff in Task Manager. To do this, press Ctrl-Alt-Del and go to the Processes tab - scroll down the list looking for any Kodak stuff.

Most, but NOT ALL programs behave this way. If there's one that won't start for you, let us know what program it is and we'll see if we can figure out how to set it.

You didn't answer my question about how I stop things from running in the background. lol

In Windows Defender/Software Explorer, click on "Show for all users", a window will pop up, "Windows needs your permission to continue", click "Continue", and you should be able to Disable unwanted start up programs.

Sorry! Yes, just highlight and select Disable. After a while of leaving it disabled, then you can go back and delete it once you're sure you won't need it.

Okay, so I do disable but I don't understand what you mean by going back to delete it once I'm sure I won't need it, John. I need all of the things on my computer, but I don't want them slowing my computer down by having them running in the background. Does that make sense?

Thank you, GolfDude.

Linda

If you find out over time you don't need or use the program- delete it through your "Add and Remove Programs". Or, maybe you purchase a new camera and no longer use the Kadak software and start using better software (sorry for the dig, but I agree with John on this one), you can delete the program. The last computer I purchased (HP) came bundled with so much crap it was amazing. I think I had 73 processes running at start-up. I used some of the software and thought it was okay. It wasn't until after I had a hard drive failure (junk Hitachi) and installed Vista (clean) that I realized how much garbage was running on my computer. It sure made me pay attention when installing new hardware and software. For example, the first time I installed my printer (HP) software I went with the default "Express" setting. Everytime one of the ink cartridges got to a 1/3 full, the software would pop up and try to take me to the HP store to buy new ones. Got real tired of that, so when I installed it the second time I went custom and only installed the necessary drivers. However, it still loaded in a start up process to quick start the software- which I quickly disabled.

The bottom line is my computer runs really sweet without all of the garbage. It runs great and I do not have any problems with it locking up or moving slowly. I try to minimize the garbage programs. The programs that think they need to be running at start up "just in case" their is an update to be had. If I need an update I can check periodecally.

Just my thoughts,
Tom

Thank you for your input, Tom. I try not to do the "recommended" install, too, on some of my programs but it's hard for me because I usally don't know what I don't need. lol For instance, I have PSP (Paint Shop Pro) and I really only use it for my photos -- for cropping and editing. I used to make tags but no longer do that. I know I don't need all the garbage that comes with the "typical" install, but I don't know what I need to only perform the cropping, etc. I've learned so much over the years but I still don't know so, so, so, so much. lol

Linda

Linda,

Just continue to read a little on this website everyday and you will learn a lot. I am a Newbie and don't know that much either. However, I stumbled upon BP a while back when I was trying to determine what processes I needed to have running on my computer. I would enter the name of the process in my search engine to determine what it was. I would get a bunch of results and most of the websites would want you to do a free computer scan. Obviously I would leave that website immediately. However, in my results were links to BP for answers to my search that always helped me- and never was I prompted to scan my computer.

I few weeks after first discovering BP a friend asked me to see if I could help fix his computer. The first thing I did was post BP with what was going on. John had me install Malwarebytes which showed that his computer had 83 infections. Unbelievable since McAfee and Spyhunter (which my friend had purchased and installed) found nothing. Anyway, John walked me through the steps to clean the computer of the infections as well as clean up the registry. My friends computer works better than it ever has.

I have promoted this website to all of my friends and use it daily. Mostly I just read the threads to gain some knowledge. Sometimes I respond to post such as yours where at least I know the answers (not many I can answer to be quite honest). It just amazes me how much knowledge some of these people have. And the more I read, the more I learn.

Take care and say connected to BP for all of your computer questions,

Tom

Thank you, Tom. I joined BP just the other day and joined another computer help group at the same time and I can tell you that this is the one where I will stay. lol I'm very happy with the responses and the knowledge and friendliness. I have MalwareBytes on my computer but I've only had it for about six months. I've had SuperAntiSpyware for years and was having some problems and MalwareBytes picked up infections that SAS didn't.

Linda

You're not deleting the program when you select "Delete" - rather you're deleting the entry that causes it to start automatically. The program should still be there and be accessible - you'll just have to click on it's entry in the Programs menu to start it.

Thank you for explaining that, John.

Linda