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HP PCs - Preventing Programs from Opening When Windows 7 Starts

Stopping unnecessary programs from automatically opening by uninstalling them

Preventing programs from starting when opening Windows 7

Checking the necessity of Windows 7 automatically-starting software

This document applies to HP computers with Microsoft Windows 7.

Many software programs can open automatically. Some are not apparent while working in Windows. Some of these programs are necessary and cannot be changed or removed. Some should be opened only as needed. Others might not be needed at all. However, all software programs take up processor time and space in the computer's memory. This document explains how to determine which software programs might not be needed and how to prevent them from starting up.

Stopping unnecessary programs from automatically opening by uninstalling them

Removing unnecessary software programs prevents them from starting automatically and frees space on the hard drive. Do the following to remove unwanted programs:

Click Start , and then click Control Panel.
Under Programs, click Uninstall a program.
Examine closely the items that appear inside the Uninstall or change a program window. The items listed are programs currently installed on the computer.

Figure : Uninstall or change a program window
Click to highlight any program you want to uninstall or change.
Click Uninstall or Change at the top of the program list.

note:
Do not remove items in the list that you are unsure about. The table at the end of this document contains a list of common software programs to help you decide whether or not to remove an item.
Read and respond to any messages that might open while the software is being removed from your computer.
Repeat for all programs you want to uninstall.
After all items have been removed, close all open windows and restart the computer.

Preventing programs from starting when opening Windows 7

The following sections provide different ways that software can be prevented from opening automatically when Windows 7 opens.

Using system tray icons to prevent programs from starting

Removing icons from the Startup folder

Use System Configuration to prevent programs from launching

Disabling HP TouchSmart Software

Using Windows 7 system tray icons to prevent programs from automatically starting

Each of the small icons on the system tray, next to the time, represents software that runs in the background. Hovering the mouse cursor over any of these icons reveals the software program name or function. You can increase system resources and prevent possible conflicts by reducing the number of these programs that open with Windows.

Figure : HP Advisor system tray icon

Sometimes a software program provides a feature that can be used to prevent the program from opening with Windows. To see if a program has such a feature, do the following:

Double-click or right-click on an icon in the tray to bring up more options.
Look for options or selections in menus that will prevent the software program from starting, such as Open, Options, or Preferences. Look for anything related to starting up. If you find a setting that enables the program to start automatically when Windows starts, disable it. If the feature is not available, try removing the icons from the Startup folder.

Removing Windows 7 program icons from the startup folder to stop automatic starting

Some programs open with a shortcut icon in the startup folder (startup icons). Use the following steps to show any startup icons that are hidden and remove startup icons from the startup folder:

note:
Removing items from the Startup folder does not uninstall the software application.

Right-click anywhere in an open area on the Windows desktop, and select New and Folder. Name the folder Notstartup. This folder will be used later.
Click Start , then click All Programs. Right-click Startup, and then click Open.

The Startup folder opens.

Figure : Startup folder
Any icons present indicate programs that load when Windows opens. Right-click any of these icons and select Properties to reveal more information about the program.
Right-click any icon you do not want, and then click Cut.
Double-click the Notstartup folder on the desktop that was created earlier.
Right-click inside the Notstartup, and then click Paste. The icons that were cut from the Startup folder are now placed in the Notstartup folder.
Restart the computer.

Any items removed from Startup will no longer open when Windows opens. You can open the programs by double-clicking the desired item in the Notstartup folder.

Using Windows 7 System Configuration to prevent automatically starting programs

Perform the following steps to selectively prevent items from starting when Windows launches.

caution:
Disable only those items that are known and unwanted. Disabling system critical items might cause problems.

Click Start , and type msconfig into the Search box. Click msconfig.

If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Figure : System Configuration tool in Search results

The System Configuration tool displays.
Click the General tab and make sure Selective startup is selected.

Figure : General tab
Select the Startup tab and remove the checks from any tasks that do not contribute to the system and are unwanted.

If unsure about a task, write the name down and research it on the Internet. Do not remove a checkmark if you do not know what the task is. For a list of files that are recommended not to remove, review the HP support document: Using Microsoft System Configuration in Windows 7.

Figure : Startup tab
Click Apply, and then click OK to accept the changes. Restart the computer.
When prompted, click Restart.

Figure : Restart the computer
If Windows or other software stops working after a checkmark is removed from a task, restart the computer and reverse these procedures to replace the checkmark. If needed, you can press F8 after the first blue HP startup screen (after the computer has been turned on) to open safe mode. For more information, see Windows 7 Safe Mode.

By completing these steps, Windows runs using Selective startup. This means that Windows prevents the selected programs from starting. If Selective startup is disabled in the future, all the selected software programs will open again.

Disabling Windows 7 HP TouchSmart software from automatic starting

Items that begin with HPTS or HP TouchSmart are related to the HP TouchSmart software. Consult the table at the end of this document. If you do not use the HP TouchSmart software, you can prevent it from opening with Windows by using Personalize or Settings in the TouchSmart software.

Checking the necessity of Windows 7 automatically-starting software

The software programs in the following table are some of the most common software programs that open with Windows on HP and Compaq desktop computers. It does not list every possible software program that can be loaded onto the computer. If a software program is not on this list, write the name down and research it on the Internet.

caution:
A name in the following list might also be the name of virus or Trojan. Many viruses and Trojans copy a system file name so that unsuspecting people delete a system file that prevents Windows from opening. Use virus scanning and removal software to find and remove viruses and Trojans. Do not rely on this list to determine if a file is a virus or Trojan.

Reference table: programs that start automatically in Windows 7 and what they do

Startup program	File name	What the program does
Adobe Acrobat	Reader_sl.exe	Communicate with PDF files, make them reusable and editable.
Alps Pointing Device Driver	Apoint2K\Apoint.exe	The driver that controls the touch pad on the PC. Should not be disabled if you want to use the touch pad.
Andrea filters APO access service	AEADISRV.EXE	Used by SoundMAX for microphone processing.
Bluetooth Headset Skype Proxy	BluetoothHeadsetProxy.exe	Allows programs to connect to Bluetooth headset.
Bluetooth Stack COM Server	BTStackServer.exe	Used by computer to communicate with Bluetooth devices.
Bluetooth Support Server	btwdins.exe	Used for Bluetooth devices on your computer.
Bluetooth software Tray Application	BTTray.exe	Allows connection of Bluetooth enabled wireless devices such as computers, phones, printers, headsets, speakers, and cameras.
Caps Lock \| Num Lock \| Scroll Lock State	Keystatus.exe	Monitors status of lock keys on keyboard.
Catalyst Control Center	CLIStart.exe	Device driver and utility software package for the ATI line of video cards.
Client Server Runtime Process	csrss.exe	Used by the Windows 7 operating system. Do not disable.
CyberLink Media Library Service	CLMLSvc.exe	Manages the media libraries.
CyberLink PowerCinema Resident Program	DVDAgent.exe TSMAgent.exe	Used by HP Power Cinema.
Desktop Window Manager	dwm.exe	Used by Windows 7 for graphical displays.
DT_Startup	DT_startup.exe	Enhances the display's color and visual appeal.
Fast User	FastUserSwitching.exe	Allows switching between user accounts without logging off.
HD Audio Control Panel	RtHDVCpl.exe	Provides the computer with high-definition audio. To avoid sound problems, do not prevent from starting.
Host Process for Windows Services	svchost.exe	Windows process that hosts services needed to perform various functions.
HP Advisor	HPAdvisor.exe	Instrumental in keeping the computer protected from viruses and corruption.
HP Beats	beats64.exe	Hear the bass, the detail, and the dynamics of the music with Beats Audio.
Hewlett-Packard Company KBD EXE	kbd.exe	Multimedia keyboard manager. One-touch keys do not work without this enabled, but the rest of the keyboard works.
HP Connections Remove	HPCONN~1.exe	Provides notices, support updates, tips, and special offers. It is safe to prevent from starting.
HP.CPC.TS	HPTSEnProxy.exe	TouchSmart software. Provides two-touch information to the TouchSmart software applications. Can be disabled if not using HP TouchSmart.
HP.CPC.TS.S	HPTSEnSrv.exe	TouchSmart software. Provides two-touch information to the TouchSmart software applications. Can be disabled if not using HP TouchSmart.
hpwuSchd Application	HPWuSchd2.exe	Allows the computer to automatically receive software update notifications from HP over the Internet. It is safe to prevent from starting, but it can be helpful in maintaining the latest software and drivers for your computer.
HP MediaSmart	SmartMenu.exe	Used to open the MediaSmart program from keyboards and remote controls. Do not disable this program.
HP Power Assistant	HPPA_Main.exe/hidden	Helps reduce power consumption by managing your PC usage with weekday and weekend settings.
HP Quick Launch Buttons	Qlbctrl.exe	Enables buttons on the keyboard to perform other functions.
HPRun ??	hprun.exe	Opens HP Total Care Advisor. If you want Advisor to run, do not prevent this program from starting.
hpsysdrv	hpsysdrv.exe	Keeps track of system recoveries. Do not disable.
HP Total Care Advisor	HPAdvisor.exe	Instrumental in keeping the computer protected from viruses and corruption.
HP TouchSmart Calendar	GCalService.exe	TouchSmart Calendar program that allows the user to set up reminder notifications for events. It controls the Reminder LED on the computer. It can be disabled if you are not using HP TouchSmart.
HP TouchSmart Calendar & Notes	HPTouchSmartSyncCalReminderApp.exe	TouchSmart software that works along with GCalService and accesses user data files. Can be disabled if not using HP TouchSmart.
Wireless Assistant	HPWAMain.exe	Manages the wireless capabilities of the PC.
IDT PC Audio	IDT\WDM\sttray64.exe	It is an integrated audio sound module, if turned off the sound might not work.
Input Personalization Server	InputPersonalization.exe	For use with Tablet PCs for handwriting recognition and conversion to text.
Intel Common User Interface	igfxtray.exe	Required for graphics drivers. Do not disable this program.
Intel Common User Interface	hkcmd.exe	Required for graphics drivers. Do not disable this program.
Intel Common User Interface	igfxpers.exe	Required for graphics drivers. Do not disable this program.
Java™ Platform SE Binary	jusched.exe	Checks for Java updates.
Keyboard and Mouse Battery Volume Detection	HPKEYBOARD.EXE	Application software for the keyboard set. Displays message when battery level is low.
LightScribe	LightScribeControlPanel.exe	Burn CD labes with LightScribe.
Local Security Authority Process	lsass.exe	Authenticates user logons. Do not disable this program.
Local Session Manager Service	lsm.exe	Manages terminal server connections. Do not disable this program.
Microsoft Forefront Identity Manager 2010	MsPwdRegistration.exe	Increases security with management across identities, credentials and resources.
Microsoft Security Client	msseces.exe	Part of Microsoft's security program with Microsoft Security Essentials.
Microsoft Software Licensing Services	SLsvc.exe	Protects software programs from copyright infringement. Do not disable this programs.
Microsoft Userinit Logon Application	userinit.exe	Used by the Windows Operating System for network connections and starting Windows. Do not disable this program.
Microsoft Tablet PC Input Component	wisptis.exe	Tablet PC software for pen input device.
Microsoft Windows Explorer, or Windows Explorer	explorer.exe	User interface for the operating system. Provides access to programs and files on the computer. Do not disable this program.
Microsoft Windows Operating System	stikynot.ext	Allows you make virtual sticky notes and place them on the desktop as reminders.
Microsoft Windows Operating System	sidebar.exe	Activates the sidebar feature of the Windows "gadgets."
Microsoft Windows Search Indexer	SearchIndexer.exe	Indexes file contents and properties for searching purposes.
Norton Online Backup	NobuActivation.exe	Activates Notron on-line backup
NT Kernel & System	system	Default system counter. Do not disable this program.
NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000	NvStartup.dll	Needed for optimum graphics.
NVIDIA Driver Helper Service	nvsvc.dll, nvsvc.exe	Needed for optimum graphics.
NVIDIA Media Center Library	NvMcTray.dll	Needed for optimum graphics.
OSD	HWManager.exe	Controls the on-screen display when adjusting audio volume and LCD panel brightness level. This program cannot be disabled, but it can be uninstalled.
OsdMaestro main program	OSD64.exe	Provides an interface to configure on-screen display settings
OSD Form	OSDForm.exe	Used for on-screen display.
Percentage of time the processor is idle	SystemIdleProcess	Counter that measures CPU idle time at any particular time.
PictureMover Application	PictureMover.exe	Automatically uploads pictures from digital cameras or memory cards that are connected to the computer.
RAID Event Monitor	Iaanotif.exe	Depending on how you configure it, RAID helps optimize the performance of the computer. It has facilities to partition and back up data.
Services and Controller app	services.exe	Services control manager is responsible for starting, stopping and interacting with system services. Do not disable this program.
SMax4PNP	Smax4pnp.exe	Used for analog audio devices.
SoundMAX Audio Settings	SoundMAX.exe	Installs the graphical user interface for controlling the audio settings. Do not disable this program.
Spooler SubSystem App	spoolsv.exe	Windows Print Spooler service for all fax and print jobs.
Symantec Core Component	symlcsvc.exe	Antivirus software. Disabling virus-scanning software is not recommended except for computers that are isolated from any software input (including the Internet, a network, CDs, memory cards, etc.).
Symantec Security Technologies	ccApp.exe	Antivirus software. Disabling virus-scanning software is not recommended except for computers that are isolated from any software input (including the Internet, a network, CDs, memory cards, etc.).
Symantec Service Framework	ccSvcHst.exe	Displays user interface for antivirus software.
Symantec Shared Component	osCheck.exe	Part of the suite of antivirus software programs. Disabling virus-scanning software is not recommended except for computers that are isolated from any software input (including the Internet, a network, CDs, memory cards, etc.).
SymCUW	SYMCUW.exe	Antivirus software. Disabling virus-scanning software is not recommended except for computers that are isolated from any software input (including the Internet, a network, CDs, memory cards, etc.).
Synaptics Pointing Device Driver	SynTPEnh.exe	Allows you to add advanced features to your laptop's pad: sensibility, tapping speed, etc.
Tablet PC Input Panel Accessory	tabtip.exe	Handwriting recognition personalization tool for Tablet PCs.
Tablet PC Input Panel Helper	tabtip32.exe	Controls the on-screen keyboard.
Task Scheduler Engine	taskeng.exe	Responsible for running certain processes at predefined times.
Windows Audio Device Graph	audiodg.exe	Hosts audio engine for Windows 7.
Windows Driver Foundation	WUDFHost.exe	Part of the Windows Operating System
Windows host process (Rundll32)	rundll32.exe	Command line utility program; runs dlls. Do not disable this program.
Windows Logon Application	winlogon.exe	Sets parental controls on your computer.
Windows Session Manager	smss.exe	Session manager subsystem that starts, manages, and deletes user sessions. Do not disable this program.
Windows Startup Application	wininit.exe	Starts some of the core Windows 7 background services. Do not disable this program.
Windows Task Manager	taskmgr.exe	Launches Windows Task Manager. Do not disable this program.
WMI Provider Host	WmiPrvSE.exe	Windows Management Instrumentation is used to develop applications for monitoring computer activity.

Information on automatically starting programs

For more information about software programs that start automatically and what they do, see the following:

Uniblue's Process Library Web site - ProcessLibrary.com (in English)

note:
One or more of the links above will take you outside the Hewlett-Packard Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside the HP Web site.

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