Remove Windows / Vista Startup Entries

Below are the steps to stop a program from running at the start up of Windows. Removing unneeded programs from startup can also help to increase Windows speed.

Caution: Removing items from the startup that the computer needs can damage your computer. Make sure that the process is not necessary in the operation of windows.

1. Click On Start –> Run –> Type msconfig –> Press Enter.
2. Go to the Startup Tab and remove entries that don’t need to be started up when Windows does.
3. Press Ok

If you have any questions / comments, feel free to comment below.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 24th, 2023 at 5:17 pm and is filed under How-To Guides. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

17 Responses to “Remove Windows / Vista Startup Entries”

amanda May 19th, 2023 at 11:52 pm

cannot open anything to eliminate system security; cannot open run, control/alt/delete will not work, system restore and most other needed access areas are blocked from opening by this bad malware

George Rickard June 13th, 2023 at 1:01 pm

I had this problem too with system security. as soon as you log on, press ctrl+alt+delete and it will open before system security starts up. when system security does start up, there will be a fraction of a second when it will show up in applications in taskmgr. press delete quickly and it will not continue to run. my problem is trying to find system security on startup programs.

DERRICK August 2nd, 2023 at 4:19 pm

cannot open anything to eliminate system security; cannot open run, control/alt/delete will not work, system restore and most other needed access areas are blocked from opening by this bad

Ash December 25th, 2023 at 5:30 pm

Hey. I have a virus on my computer that is a fake antivirus virus. I cannot access the internet through that computer to download the software to eliminate the virus. How might I go about eliminating it?

▲EVAN▲ February 20th, 2024 at 3:34 am

Ash,

Use a flash drive. You might need to reformat (I probably will)

Bebe February 24th, 2024 at 10:09 pm

I saw the personal security virus scan pop up on my PC saying that i should download it. after restarting my PC i saw the virus pop up again. so i’m searching online to see if it was an anti virus or a virus and i came upon this site. hope it works out when i try what is being said on this site. THANKS

Jeff March 8th, 2024 at 8:27 pm

cant use “run” to open regedit, or msconfig, just says “file not found” this vista guardian wont allow me to run any programs, all i can access is the internet. If i can’t run regedit or or msconfig or system restore, how the hell can i get this thing off my computer? please help been working at this for hours

Jemille Hardy May 14th, 2023 at 10:52 pm

How do you “remove from startup menu. All I see is that items can be checked or unchecked, but not removed!!

Craig beatson June 24th, 2023 at 6:35 pm

Done everything, no sign of av virus. Now can’t connect to Internet

Adam Hixson April 2nd, 2023 at 7:57 pm

Right click on it and Run as Administrator. You have to do it directly in the directly to the program you want to run.

Windows 7 Ultimate x64

Mikey Boat April 21st, 2023 at 11:47 pm

look this thing is worrying us

pgreg April 22nd, 2023 at 11:59 pm

You need to go into safe mode. The skill level to remove the virus is a little higher than most people have. You may have to use a little intuition. Look at the details on the files, specifically the day installed. I have also found folders that are hidden. So depending on the flavor you’re dealing with, you’re going to have to have to ferret out the files while operating in safe mode with networking. Id suggest networking to allow you access to the internet for information as you tackle this little challenge. Think, stay calm, and think before you delete anything! make sure its not a critical file, or you’ll be unhappy.
Some of you will not be able to start the task manager, or the msconfig utilities. Look into your my documents folder for new files, use the search file function on the systems hardrives…search for winav.exe, or the sysav.exe. you should be able to find those quickly, if not, then continue looking for folders such as “spyware protection”. I wish i could provide more help, but unfortunately, this virus comes in different flavors, and requires different approaches to remove.

Virus Killer May 1st, 2023 at 6:20 am

Use malwarebytes

Mangocurry May 9th, 2023 at 11:05 am

Guys, I run XP at home and this XP Anti-Spyware is driving me nuts. The first time I removed it (last year) it proved to be successful. This time the damn thing has mutated into an unrecognizable beast. Tried all tricks here but can’t seem to find anything that works. Even tried manually searching for the sucker but to no avail. When going to the Windows ‘system’ folder, it is blank!

Please help! Would booting from a USB work?

Jessica May 15th, 2023 at 6:28 pm

Hi. I custom installed windows 7, which erased my vista files. That would take care of my vista related virus problem, right?

Steve D, Wigan June 27th, 2023 at 12:21 pm

I had a minor hit of this about a month ago on my son’s computer and solved it relatively easily by some of the actions mentioned on this website. However, I have had a massive attack of this rogue security virus and it would not let me do anything much. Even in safe mode and safe with networking it started up the virus pop-ups instead of things I was trying to open, e.g. system restore or I.E. Eventually, found the following when searching on ‘complete PC restore’ in the help and support panels on my sons computer, so I did it. – Start your computer in safe mode with command prompt. For more information, see Start your computer in safe mode. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

At the command prompt, type rstrui.exe, and then press ENTER. DONT FORGET, ITS SAFE MODE WITH COMMAND PROMPT! When you enter the command it goes quiet for several minutes but then prompts you for a restore point. Select as you think appropriate and continue with prompts. Eventually, system will restore and reboot successfully. Not sure whether or not I needed to, but I then dowloaded the malwarebytes software and ran it with quick scan. It just found one infected file, s I guess the restore may hav got rid of any other. Hope this is helpful. Phew!!!

keana August 30th, 2023 at 2:16 am

if i am able to do a system restore will it work?

Leave a Reply