One of the main reasons why a computer becomes slower and slower with time is the installation of new programs which, sometimes legitimately, sometimes sneakily, install themselves in automatic execution mode and start from alone when you turn on your computer. This not only slows down the Windows startup process, but also makes the system slower because each of these programs occupies a certain amount of memory persistently and permanently.
That's why one of the most important activities for computer maintenance is to occasionally check the programs that add to the automatic startup, disabling them and removing them from automatic startup.
Some programs have the option to disable the automatic start in the internal settings, for others instead you need to use a specific program such as Autoruns, Ccleaner, WinPatrol or other free programs to manage the startup of Windows (on Windows 8 you can also use the task manager even if it doesn't provide a complete list).
With one of these tools you can check the items of automatic start or "Startup" and remove the programs that are not needed to run in the background every time you turn on the computer.
In this article we will see some examples of programs to be removed from the automatic start and where to find more information on any type of startup entry .
1) iTunes Helper
If you have an Apple device such as an iPod, iPhone or iPad, this process is used to start iTunes automatically when the device is connected to the computer.
This is really unnecessary because you can start iTunes manually without problems and it's really useless if you don't have an iPhone or iPad.
2) QuickTime (qttask)
QuickTime is a plugin and a program that allows you to play and open different video media files, which can be used to open certain videos on the internet.
Keeping it among the automatically running programs is really useless. The program is often needed to view web content, especially videos. But because it needs "start up" "> large PDF readers alternative to lighter Adobe Reader.
However, the automatic start of Adobe Reader is really useless.
5) Skype
Skype is a fantastic video chat program, which doesn't need to be started right away on your computer, unless you really want to stay online all the time.
In this case you can use the internal option of the program.
Like Skype, all other chat programs can also be removed from the automatic start.
6) Google Chrome, Google Updater and Google Installer
To keep up to date, Google Chrome uses services that run automatically such as Google Installer and Google Update.
Even if you disable these services however Chrome automatically updates itself when it is opened so they are not needed.
7) Spotify and Spotify Web Helper
Spotify is a fantastic program for listening to music on a streaming PC and can also be used via the web without having to install anything.
Spotify Web Helper is a small application that starts automatically and allows the installed program to communicate with the browser, so that when a Spotify song is clicked, the desktop program opens automatically.
Since this is not necessary because the song can be listened to from the Spotify website, it can be disabled.
8) Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is the most used suite of office programs in the world, but it doesn't really need to load when the computer starts.
This applies to any alternative Office suite.
9) Java
The Java plugin, now more and more cause of problems so much that it would be better to uninstall it or disable it.
However, if you keep it active, you should remove automatic update files such as Jusched or SunJavaUpdateSched or Java Update Scheduler from automatic execution.
10) IntelliPoint
IType and IPoint are two support services for Microsoft keyboards and mice.
You can certainly disable them even if, on the keyboard, the special keys may not work.
The same also applies to other types of keyboard management programs such as Logitech ones.
This list is obviously not complete and, depending on the programs installed on your computer, you may have more or less entries in the automatic start.
For example you can find other items related to programs such as Steam, HP, Nero and RealPlayer that can be removed from the automatic start.
To leave enabled instead are those programs that support particular computer functions such as, for example, the antivirus, the AMD or Nvidia video card manager, the cloud synchronization program such as Skydrive, Google Drive and Dropbox, services and support applications for audio, wireless, touchpad (for laptops) and, in general, all Microsoft services.
To evaluate a program, whether it should be removed from the automatic start or not, there are some really complete sites to look for:
Should I Block It program that reports unnecessary programs on the PC
BleepingComputer.com
Pacman's Portal, the most complete and updated.
PC Pitstop reviewing processes.
