Remove unwanted startup programmes

Many programs are designed to automatically load when you boot up your computer. Typically, they will run in the background, so they will immediately open when you click on the program's icon. This is convenient for programs that you actually need, but for those you don't, it merely drains system resources, slowing down your computer.

There are 3 places where Windows will load programs on startup.

Start menu

1. On the Programs section of the start menu, there may be a folder called Startup. This may contain shortcuts to programs on your computer, and are launched when windows starts.
2. To remove these programs, Delete the shortcut files in the folder.

Registry

There are two sections in the registry that  programs are launched from:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

1. Click Start > Run and type regedit.
2. Navigate  to:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Run
3. Items within that section are launched at startup.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER 

1. Click Start > Run and type regedit.
2. Navigate  to:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Run
3. Items within that section are launched at startup.

IMPORTANT: Editing or deleting items/keys in the registry can seriously damage your windows setup. We recommand you to backup the Windows Registry first.

System configuration utility (msconfig)

1. Startup processes and other programs are also defined by the system configuration utility. To open this goto Start > Run and type msconfig.
2. Firstly, select the Startup tab. Unselect any unnecessary programs from loading automatically when your computer boots.
3. Secondly, select the Services tab. Unselected any services that you no longer want to run on startup.
4. Reboot your computer