How to use MSCONFIG

This tool modifies which programs run at startup, edits certain configuration files, and simplified controls over Windows services. Files that can be edited through MSCONFIG include AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, WIN.INI, SYSTEM.INI on Windows 9x systems, and BOOT.INI on Windows NT systems. The chief benefit to using MSCONFIG to edit these files is that it provides a simplified GUI to indirectly manipulate the sections of those files and the Windows registry tree pertaining to the Windows boot sequence. The most recent version of MSCONFIG, released with Windows Vista, features a greatly simplified user interface and increased support for managing services.

Here is how to use MSCONFIG to disable some of the unnecessary programs that automatically load on start-up.

1. Go to Start -> Run...



2. Type msconfig and then click the OK button.



3. Look for the Startup tab and click it. This will reveal a list with all the programs that are loading at boot.



5. From here you can disable any service that you do not want to be started when you turn on the computer. If you aren't sure what a service does the best thing to do is to leave it on.
6. When done, click the OK button.

8. Click on Restart when prompted and your computer will automatically reboot.