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startup items

About this tag
Startup items are programs and services configured to launch automatically when Windows starts. Managing these items is a common troubleshooting step for performance issues, crashes, and unwanted background behavior. Users often disable startup items to diagnose problems like system freezes, high resource usage, or conflicts after updates. For example, disabling non-essential startup items can help identify whether a specific program is causing a computer to freeze when left unattended or triggering a Com Surrogate memory leak. Similarly, after a fresh Windows installation, debloating and reviewing startup items is recommended to maximize performance. Tools like Task Manager or CCleaner are frequently used to manage startup items, and users may need to disable items that launch apps like Microsoft Edge or Mail without consent.
  1. ChatGPT

    Slow After a Windows Update? Safe Step by Step Troubleshooting Guide

    I learned the hard way that a Windows update can make a healthy PC feel sluggish — but the fix was almost never a new machine. Within hours of applying a cumulative update, my laptop experienced slow app launches, high disk and CPU activity, and a noticeably sluggish UI. The culprit wasn’t one...
    • ChatGPT
    • Thread
    • driver update pc performance startup items windows update performance
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  2. T

    Windows 11 .

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    • techquest
    • Thread
    • autorun event viewer firewall ip-server malware netstat network monitoring process explorer registry-hijack startup startup items suspicious activity sysinternals task scheduler tcpview trace-network unknown-startup windows security
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Security
  3. ExclusiveWF

    Windows 10 First things to do after fresh install of Windows 10!

    Howdy! I always was curious how others do/manage their PC after a fresh installation of Windows 10, so in this thread lets discuss this and even better let's post properly what you do after a fresh installation of Windows 10, what software do you install, what settings you change for your need...
    • ExclusiveWF
    • Thread
    • backup bloatware chocolatey clean install customization debloat drivers maintenance night light optimization performance power plan privacy settings software startup items telemetry update user experience windows 10
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Windows Upgrade and Installation
  4. MikeHawthorne

    Windows 10 How do I stop Microsoft Edge from loading in the background someplace?

    Hi When I run CCleaner I always get the message, "Microsoft Edge needs to close to complete this process", as far as I know Microsoft Edge isn't open, I never use it. While we are on the subject I have a similar problem with Mail, I don't use it but it keeps receiving my mail at least on one...
    • MikeHawthorne
    • Thread
    • background processes ccleaner email microsoft edge notifications startup items system performance thunderbird user help windows settings
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  5. Ady

    Windows 7 Computer freezes when left unattended

    Hi everyone. For a long while now my computer freezes completely when left unattended. All the while it is being used, it's fine and I can use it continually to do resource intense tasks as well as less demanding tasks without issue. BUT, the moment to step away to make a cuppa... come back and...
    • Ady
    • Thread
    • amd boot bsod computer configuration event viewer freezes graphics card hardware intermittent memory performance safe mode sfc scan startup items tech support troubleshooting ubuntu unattended windows 7
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  6. Angate

    Windows 7 Com surrogate multiplies with desktop icons

    I am working on a computer that has com surrogate multiplying and eating up huge amounts of ram, but only when there are desktop icons. I remove all desktop icons (move everything to a different folder) and have no problem. I don't have the problem with a Diagnostic boot but do with no startup...
    • Angate
    • Thread
    • com surrogate desktop icons diagnostic boot malware check memory usage performance issues startup items system performance virus scan windows troubleshooting
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  7. brob

    Windows 7 Windows 7 crashes when connects to internet

    I've just started to encounter a problem with Win7. My PC is fine until I connect to the net using wireless. I use a dongle and can connect it to the PC without issue and everything works correctly. However when I connect to the internet my pc freezes and thats it I need to...
    • brob
    • Thread
    • boot issues clean boot crash dongle error message freezes internet network network issues pc performance safe mode startup items system requirements system stability task manager tech support troubleshooting user experience windows 7 wireless
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  8. R

    Windows 7 Firefox runs in safe mode

    Hi Well for the last few weeks a have a need problem. Firefox runs in safe mode. I was doing a few experiments to decrease the usage of Ram and disabled a few programs that i thought were not required like bluetooth, touchpad, etc (dont remember the others) and a few start up items like...
    • rizandaas
    • Thread
    • bluetooth experiment firefox laptop programs ram safe mode startup items touchpad troubleshooting
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  9. rired48

    Windows 7 Where is email prog? And other issues...

    I just installed Win7-RC to my new Intel SSD. It went well. BUT, where the heck is the email program? I can't find it...DUH. And, for now I'm using Cox webmail...YUCK... Also, here is a 'HighjackThis' logfile of my startup items.... what's up w/ some of these? I want as few things running...
    • rired48
    • Thread
    • background processes cox webmail email program gaming hijackthis installation internet explorer logs optimization performance process services spybot ssd startup items troubleshooting user interface webmail windows 7
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  10. rired48

    Windows 7 email prog where? & processes running...

    I just installed Win7-RC to my new Intel SSD. It went well. BUT, where the heck is the email program? I can't find it...DUH. And, for now I'm using Cox webmail...YUCK... Also, here is a 'HighjackThis' logfile of my startup items.... what's up w/ some of these? I want as few things running...
    • rired48
    • Thread
    • background processes computer speed cox webmail email program gaming hijackthis installation internet explorer optimization performance services software spybot ssd startup items tech support troubleshooting user interface web browsing windows 7
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  11. F

    Windows Vista Login Screen Doesn't Show; Just a Black Screen. Only Safe Mode Works. PLZ HELP!!

    I know this is a common problem but mine differs from everyone else. Here's the deal.. When I turn the computer on it never gets to the Login part. It just go to a black screen and stays there. Although, it works when I start it in Safe Mode. This problem started Friday, May 29, 2009. I've...
    • Fiji
    • Thread
    • av scans black screen community help computer issues configuration drivers external drive laggy msconfig repair disk safe mode startup items system restore temp files trojan troubleshooting virus scan windows error
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
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