Preventing programs from automatically starting when I boot my computer

[Hundegesicht]

Okay, this is something that has frustrated me for a while now, and I've never been able to find a way to cure it. I've tried searching google too, but I can only find instructions for certain products, so I'll come out and admit I'm a dumbass by asking this:

I bought a new computer a couple months ago (running Windows XP home), and the computer manufacturer had adding a shitload of programs I didn't really want, that'd automatically start every time I booted my computer. I just went to control panel and deleted most of these (Norton (*gag*), AOL, IE, all the . .. .. .. . they try and give you), and downloaded some of the stuff I prefer to use.

My problem is, whenever I restart my computer, almost ALL of my programs autostart with it, meaning I have to spend 2 minutes every time I reboot closing down about 10 different programs. I can't uninstall these guys, because I use them sometimes, but I can't figure out any way to tell them "don't autostart."

Some programs thankfully have option menus that let me shut off autostart. Most don't. How do I tell Windows itself not to let these programs autostart?

 

[MarineCorps]

Start---->Run-------->MSConfig----------->startup

 

[Hundegesicht]

thanks! tenchar

 

[kcwong]

But that might not be enough for some of them.

There're software with behavior like they are trying to INVADE your system.

Miscrosoft ActiveSync for example. It is a software used to allow your Windows Mobile communicate with your desktop. But if you're not connecting your PocketPC, it's useless.

But Microsoft insists to keep it running. The program has no exit - it merely minimizes to tray. You can kill it in Task Manager, but as soon as you start ActiveSync (you do need it *sometimes*), it will write itself back into registry so it will be launched on startup.

With Windows Media Player 11 it gets even more ridiculous. ActiveSync will be started whenever you start WMP11.

People have complained, whined, flamed on Microsoft boards and newsgroups, but apparently Microsoft is either deaf or have some secret they are trying to hide. Throughout versions of ActiveSync it continues to be a pain in the ass.