How to reduce your PC's start-up time

Q How can I prevent so many applications starting up when I start my computer? It takes about 10 minutes to start up after switching it on. All I want to do is check my email.

Alan Havelock

A To see which applications are set to run when you start the PC, you can use the System Configuration Utility, which is included with Windows XP and Vista, to disable anything that does not need to run when Windows first boots.

In Windows XP, left-click the Start Menu, click on Run, type msconfig into the box then press Enter. On Windows Vista, left-click the Start Menu, type msconfig into the search box, then left-click on the MSConfig icon listed under Programs. Vista will ask for your permission, so click Continue.

Left-click on the Startup tab. Here you will see a list of applications that run when you start your PC. It’s best not to click Disable All, as you may have some software that needs to load when Windows starts, required for peripherals such as printers and scanners.

Think carefully when you decide what applications to disable. While you might not need iTunes loading when your PC starts, for example, you should make sure anti-virus software still loads. If you are not sure what an application is, one source of clues is the file location in the Command column.

For example, it is not obvious what QTTask is, but the default installation directory is C:\Program Files\QuickTime, which is related to playback of Quicktime video, a non-essential function of the PC, and can be disabled.

If you are using Vista bear in mind that it was not designed to be shut down every time you stop using the computer. That is why the shutdown option is in a separate menu.

The delay on start-up happens because Windows prepares files and programs so they start faster, once it’s finished that is. One way to avoid the delay is to use the sleep or hibernate modes instead.

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