Program file loading on desktop at start-up

Factual Questions
1

Well, this is a new one on me. The second computer in the house starts up okay except for a Common file (program file) with Broderbund files in it which I believe to be part of the installed American Greetings program, rarely used. This glitch just started today for no particular reason. I can hit the X and get rid of it, but I would like to stop it from coming up on the desktop at all.

Any ideas?

2

What operating system are you using?

3

Sorry… It’s Windows XP Home, service pack 2.

4

Go to START -> Run, and enter msconfig. Hit Enter to start the program.

The System Configuration Utility will come up. Click the Startup tab. Uncheck the program you wish to stop from running at startup. Click OK.

Restart computer.

How to Alter Startup Programs in Windows XP

5

In addition to msconfig, there is a folder in the Start menu called “Startup” which is a source for automatically-run programs. If you see the program listed in this folder you can right click it and delete it. Between this and msconfig you ought to be fine.

ETA: Just to clear up a potential misunderstanding, the removal procedure described above only removes the shortcut from the menu; the program will still be installed on your computer.

6

I did the msconfig thing several times yesterday–it’s in the Windows XP Hacks book–but to no avail. I will check again and use the Start up option too.
thanks–I’m sure I’ll get to the bottom of this eventually.

7

I keep close tabs on what starts up automatically. Sometimes it is not so easy. Sometimes a program is started by another program and the only way to keep program 2 but not program 1 is to rename it.

The startup folder , you need to look not only in your own user but also in all users etc.

It can also start as a “service”.

That’s what I can think of right now.

I make a point of knowing what each and every program which starts automatically does. Most of the time you can get rid of most of them.

8

I ended up doing a system restore because I never could locate the thing in the startup menu.
Since we’re on the subject of glitches…what’s up with disappearing desktop icons? I mean when I shut down the I.E. and there’s nothing but wallpaper.