# Stupid Windows 98 question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 9, 2001, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-windows-98-question/49121 "2001-01-09T05:06:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-windows-98-question/49121/1 "2001-01-09T05:06:08Z")
I removed a program from my computer. It was starting up every time I started Windows and now it is searching for it every time I turn on the computer. I had it in the lower right corner or the start bar, so I guess it technicaly didn’t start every time but its icon went down there. I searched help and they make it sound like you simply remove it from the start menu by going to the settings and removing it manualy. I did this but it still looks for it. How do I do it? ---
**Author:** ![romanticide](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@romanticide](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romanticide)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-windows-98-question/49121/2 "2001-01-09T05:08:22Z")
If you click on start and then run, type “msconfig” into the open box and click on okay. There should be a tab there “startup” find the name of the program you want to disable and uncheck it. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-windows-98-question/49121/3 "2001-01-09T05:28:49Z")
Thanks! Now that I’ve unchecked it, it doesn’t start. How do I remove the name of the program from the list with the checked boxes? I unchecked the box, but the name remains with an unchecked box next to it. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-windows-98-question/49121/4 "2001-01-09T06:37:10Z")
Start/Settings/Control Panel/Add Remove Programs ---
**Author:** ![Egad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Egad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Egad)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-windows-98-question/49121/5 "2001-01-09T14:38:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Badtz Maru \* > \*\*Start/Settings/Control Panel/Add Remove Programs \*\* I think Mahaloth already did that. You can’t remove it from the list of start-up programs - at least, I’ve never found a way. All you can do is uncheck it. ---
**Author:** ![Spiritus\_Mundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@Spiritus\_Mundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiritus_Mundi)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-windows-98-question/49121/6 "2001-01-09T15:40:12Z")
regedit. Search key values for the name of the program. Delete it wherever it appears. **warning** : Manually editing your registry can make your OS unstale and generally ruin your day if you make a mistake. Do so at your own risk. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-windows-98-question/49121/7 "2001-01-09T16:37:35Z")
“Thanks! Now that I’ve unchecked it, it doesn’t start. How do I remove the name of the program from the list with the checked boxes?” Forget it, just let it be there. Its such a tiny tiny thing anyway & if you edit the registry to change it you’re in for a lot of work possibly. If you must, get a free program: tweakui. ---
**Author:** ![Egad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Egad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Egad)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-windows-98-question/49121/8 "2001-01-09T16:42:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spiritus Mundi \* > \*\*regedit. > > Search key values for the name of the program. Delete it wherever it appears. > > **warning** : Manually editing your registry can make your OS unstale and generally ruin your day if you make a mistake. Do so at your own risk. \*\* Sorry, that’s exactly right if you really want it gone. You can also download a free program called RegClean that’s a lot safer. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-windows-98-question/49121/9 "2001-01-09T16:59:00Z")
If, when you first removed it, you just deleted the programs files (without using Add/Remove Programs), you can probably remove it more thoroughly by reinstalling it then using Add/Remove to get rid of it this time. The control panel should take away the registry entries for you. Personally, I wouldn’t bother. Just leave it turned off in msconfig.