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How to Remove Disabled Startup Items from MSConfig?

By on July 5, 2008

Recommended : Update all of your out-dated system drivers in just 2 minutes

MSConfig is a handy startup manager that allows you to uncheck any startup programs that are not necessary to run during Windows startup in order to speed up the Windows startup process. Over time, the startup items that you’ve disabled may increase in number. Unfortunately, you can’t remove the disabled startup items directly from MSConfig.

MSConfig Cleanup : remove disabled startup items from MSConfig

Luckily, there is a software that can do the job for you. MSConfig Cleanup, as the name suggested, is a freeware Windows application that scans the startup configurations and allows you to remove any disabled startup item from MSConfig. This freeware needs installation. To remove any disabled startup item, check the item that you want to remove and click “Clean Up Selected”. That’s all and you will see less clutter in your MSConfig.

Download MSConfig Cleanup Now | 650KB

Steve Yu is a technology blogger with five years blogging experience (since 2007). He is the founder of MyTechQuest.com.

  • http://www.techtreak.com/2008/01/05/customized-random-top-ads-plugin-for-wordpress-20/ narendra.s.v

    thats a nice share! my pc is too slow with unwanted programs now i can clean them up :D

  • http://www.niharsworld.com/ Nihar

    I have used MSConfig but not the tool to remove disable entries

  • http://www.bluecirclet.com/ ameo

    isn’t Run . msconfig is easier ?

  • http://www.mytechquest.com Steve Yu

    ameo > unfortunately, we can’t remove disable startup items from run>msconfig. So this tool is the solution. :D

  • http://www.thejobvault.com/ My Job Finder

    I am always searching for online resources that can help me. Thank you!

  • rak

    This tool doesn’t work on 64-bit Windows. But if you know your way around the registry editor, you can get rid of them manually.

    MSConfig keeps information about disabled startup items in the registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig

    Before you start fiddling, make a backup of that section of the registry (right-click on MSConfig, click Export, save the .reg file somewhere you’ll remember)

    For each disabled startup item that was started by a registry entry, there is a registry key in:
    MSConfig\startupreg
    For each disabled startup item that was started from a shortcut in the Startup folder, there is a registry key in:
    MSConfig\startupfolder

    Just delete the keys inside startupreg and startupfolder, and the unchecked entries will be gone for MSConfig forever.

  • yeaaa

    its a nice freeware