The time has come to make a summary regarding the best Windows programs that are used to manage the startup of the Microsoft operating system . Managing the startup or boot of the computer means controlling and deciding which programs should start automatically in the background. Since so many software that are downloaded and installed, are automatically executed in the initial loading of Windows (ie when you turn on the computer), the risk is not only having to wait longer before the PC is operational and fully loaded but also that the memory is eaten by these programs which, after their silent start, remain in the background. These are not viruses because for some programs they make sense if they always remain active: for example the backup program or the antivirus. Many others, however, even if useful, have no need to load automatically when the computer starts: for example iTunes, Yahoo Messenger, Facebook Messenger, Java Updater, Skype and Adobe Acrobat Reader are programs to be launched manually when needed.
In this article, we see which programs to use to manage the startup of Windows, both in the case of more experienced users, and for less capable and less experienced people.
READ ALSO: Disable automatic program start in Windows
Obviously these are only free programs and, for this particular management, they are all you need. I would like to specify that if you disable the automatic start of a program through one of these tools, they are not removed or uninstalled but, simply, they will have to be launched manually for their use.
1) Autorun Organizer is a magnificent program to manage the startup of Windows, which shows the loading time of each single program in automatic execution and which allows you to deactivate them or delay their execution. The tool also provides advice on how to optimize the startup of the computer by giving suggestions on which elements to disable and which ones to keep.
2) Autoruns for Windows is the most powerful program to know everything about what Windows loads when you turn on your computer .
It divides each element into various tabs: programs, Windows Explorer startup items, Internet Explorer startup items, scheduled tasks, services, drivers, codecs, Desktop gadgets and much more.
The problem with Autoruns, reported in the post (slow Windows startup) is that, with all the information it shows, an expert is likely to be lost. However, its operation is simple because each element can be activated or deactivated with a click. Another interesting feature is that it allows you to save system snapshots and compare them at different points in time, to see what has changed.
3) Quick Startup is a much simpler tool than Autoruns and does nothing but list the programs set to start automatically on the PC.
Automatic executions of scheduled operations, plugins, services and various software can therefore be disabled.
4) HiBit Startup Manager is a free program that allows you to view, edit, remove and create new entries in the Windows automatic execution. The automatic start management tool also allows you to check the safety of the various elements and the impact on the initial loading, thus indicating which programs slow down the startup of the PC the most.
Any application can be disabled by right clicking and selecting the Disable option or the option to delete it. From the program it is also possible to add items to the automatic start. The software is not only a startup manager, but it is full of many other tools including the process manager, the list of services, the list of scheduled activities on the PC and the context menu manager that appears by pressing the right button on files.
5) Starter is a very simple little tool that shows only programs that are running automatically and not all of them.
It checks all Windows paths, even in the registry, where there are references to programs and processes that start at startup .
Starter reports all hidden registry entries and items included in the auto-start folders. You can choose to safely disable the selected items, edit them or delete them altogether (if you know what you are doing). Experienced users can also add other programs to start together with Windows from here.
6) Startup Delayer is a program different from the others, really simple and very useful, which offers options to manage the startup of the computer by setting delays for the execution of automatic applications.
You can also create rules and dependencies to decide if and when a program should start automatically and you can schedule the start of a software only on some days of the week.
To this important and celebrated tool recommended for both expert users and beginners, a specific post has been written explaining how to delay the start of programs running automatically on Windows
7) System Configuration is an internal Windows tool and not a program to download.
From the system configuration it is possible to disable enabling services and startup programs.
As written in a guide to solving Windows problems with the MSConfig system configuration, it is a very effective tool that everyone should know and be able to use.
8) WhatInStartup is another very simplified program suitable for quick checks on programs that start automatically. To manage the Windows boot, just select or deselect the various items. Unlike other programs, it also allows you to add a new startup item.
9) WinPatrol controls the hidden activities of the PC and the start of programs in Windows, a combination of Autorun and Startup Delayer.
10) Ccleaner, the most used program to keep Windows clean, has, among its tools, the startup manager of the computer which, without particular options, works well, is reliable and guarantees the result.
I remember that some drivers and Windows components are visible only with a tool that displays rootkits.
The advice is always to learn to use HiJackthis even if much more complicated.
READ ALSO: See all Windows background activities
