Users wanting to help improve computer performance may want to disable un-needed Windows Startup Items. This will not delete or disable the program, only prevent it from starting automatically when Windows boots. The following process below will show a method to permanently disable start up items via the Windows Registry.
WARNING: Use caution when editing the registry as permanent damage can occur to the operating system. ONLY delete items you are certain should never start automatically when Windows boots. Use online resources to determine each item's purpose. Some startup items are critical for the stable operation of Windows. It is a best practice to back up all personal data and programs before using this process.
- Launch the Regedit program. Click on the "Start" button, and then click on "Run". In the dialog box that appears, type "regedit" into the text box, and then click the "OK" button.
- Browse to: HKey_Local_Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run
- For 64 Bit Windows, also check: HKey_Local_Machine\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run
- Once you have located the above registry keys, examine all startup items and delete entries for items you do not wish to start when Windows boots.
- This differs from using the MSCONFIG utility as changes made in the registry are permanent where with MSCONFIG, you are only temporarily disabling the selected startup items.
About the "Wow6432Node" registry entry:
Note: The Wow6432Node registry entry indicates that you're running a 64-bit version of Windows. The OS uses this key to present a separate view of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE for 32-bit applications that run on a 64-bit version of Windows. On 64-bit Windows, portions of the registry entries are stored separately for 32-bit applications and 64-bit applications and mapped into separate logical registry views using the registry redirector and registry reflection, because the 64-bit version of an application may use different registry keys and values than the 32-bit version. There are also shared registry keys that are not redirected or reflected.
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32-bit and 64-bit Application Data in the Registry