Microsoft Windows - Turning programs on and off with MSconfig:

Windows 98 and Windows ME come with a nifty program that you can use the turn some of your startup programs off. For instance, if you have a messaging software that runs automatically everytime you boot up the computer, you can disable it. Then it won't launch when you start your computer, but you could still start it manually. Here is how it works:

1. Shut down all programs

2. Goto Start Menu/Run and type MSCONFIG, then click OK

3. Maximize the program so you can see what you are doing (the middle of the three buttons in the corner)

4. Click on the Startup Tab

5. You can turn any item on or off with the check boxes.

6. Make notes of what you did in case something stops working later on.

7. When you click OK you will have to restart.

 

Sidenote - investigating unknown programs:

If you can't tell what a program is from its name or path try the following:

1. Goto Start Menu/Search/Files or Folders.

2. Search the entire Hard Drive for the file.

3. The files path may tell you something (i.e. if it is in the Symantec folder, it probably belongs to Norton AV or Liveupdate…)

4. Also, you can right-click on the file and ask for Properties. Sometimes there is information about he creator of the program in there.

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