Optimizing Your Computer To Run Faster Using Msconfig

Technical Demonstration by:

Chris Kilkenny

Using The Slideshow• Click the button on the bottom right to go to the next

slide. • Click the button on the bottom left to go to the

previous slide.

Ask Yourself• Does your computer run slow?• Does it take a long time to boot up?• Do you get errors when starting your computer?• Does your computer frequently crash or freeze?• Are there annoying programs on your computer

that keep appearing and won’t go away?

If You answered Yes

Then this is a reason why you should learn how to use a program called msconfig that can help solve a lot of these problems.

What is Msconfig?

Msconfig, or Microsoft System Configuration Utility, is a program that is built into Windows 98, 98SE, ME and XP. It was originally designed to help you troubleshoot problems with your computer, but it can also be used to ensure that your computer boots faster and crashes less.

How does Msconfig help you?

Most people know that the more programs you have running on your computer at once, the more likely it is that your computer will either run slowly or even crash. What most people don't know is that every time you boot your computer a whole mess of "hidden" programs load in the background. Some of these hidden programs are essential, but most aren't. Turning off some of these hidden programs can significantly increase your computer's performance and reliability.

Using Msconfig

In the following slides I will show you how to use MSCONFIG on Windows 98, 98SE, ME, and XP to disable some of the unnecessary programs that automatically load on start-up. If you are using Windows 95, 2000, or NT, I will discuss later another program that will work just as well.

Go to Start --> Run

Type Msconfig And Click OK

Microsoft's System Configuration Utility

This launches the program. Click on the Startup tab that is located on the far right.

Windows XP Msconfig

If you use Windows XP, you'll notice that the Msconfig looks a little different than the one in Windows 98, 98 SE, or ME. But it still

works the same. Just click on the Startup tab on the far right.

Understanding The Startup Tab in Windows 98, 98SE, and ME

This takes you to a page with a list of "startup items." Startup items are programs that are automatically loaded every time you turn on your computer. Some startup programs are absolutely necessary, others are simply a waste of RAM.

What programs do you need?

•The only startup items you absolutely need are: Scan Registry, Task Monitor, System Tray, and Load Power Profile.

•Your anti-virus program (Should be easy to tell, should list the name of your antivirus program)

•If you see anything to do with your printer leave it checked as well. Mostly Hp, Lexmark, and Canon printer require a program to startup to enable the printer to work

•Any other program you know of that needs to startup.

Programs You Need

Since you need these startup items to be running all the time in order for your computer to work properly, make sure there is always a check mark next to all of these startup items.

If you don't see one or two of these items in your list of startup items, it is not a big problem. For example, some people may not have a Load Power Profile while others may have two. The big thing to remember is that you don't want to uncheck any of these files if you have them.

Disabling Startup Items

The rest of the startup items, however, are completely optional. Whether you leave these optional startup items on or turn them off is completely up to you. A good rule of thumb is to disable only those programs that you recognize and don't need to have running all the time. When in doubt, leave it on. Or, better still, check out Paul "PacMan" Collins' huge "Startup Applications" list at http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

An Example

Here's a good example. On my computer I like to instant message people with a program called AOL Instant Messenger. For some reason or other, AIM decided that it should always be running on my computer even when I am not using the program.. To save ram prevent AIM from automatically starting every time I boot my computer, I ran MSCONFIG and unchecked “AIM." That's it.

Reminder

Remember, disable only those programs that you recognize and don't need to have running all the time. When in doubt, leave it on.

Windows XP Msconfig

Windows XP Msconfig

Windows XP is a little different. In Windows XP, all of Windows essential programs are loaded through something called "Windows Services." This means that most of the startup items you see in XP are completely optional and can be turned off. Still, the rule of thumb applies: disable only those programs that you recognize and don't need to have running al the time. When in doubt, leave it on.

Finished Check/Unchecking Programs?

Once you complete checking and unchecking programs the next step is to click the OK button at the bottom left of the screen.

Restart?

A message will pop up telling you that you must restart your computer before these changes will take effect. Click on "Yes" and your computer will automatically reboot.

What Do I Do After Reboot?

After you reboot, a dialog box will pop up. It will look like the one below. It is just making you aware that you have made changes to the startup procedure. Just check the box that says don’t show this again and It will never pop up again after rebooting your machine.

What Now?

That's it! Your computer should now boot faster and crash less.

And if you ever want to turn on any of the startup items you disabled with MSCONFIG, just run MSCONFIG again

Now What About Windows 95

MSCONFIG didn’t come installed in Windows 95, NT, or 2000. But don't panic. There are other options available. For Windows 95 you can download the free "Startup Control Panel" program at http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml. This will work pretty much the same as the procedure I just went over.

Startup Control Panel on Windows 95

Don’t pay any attention to the different tabs. They are all basically the same as the all the programs listed in the “startup tab” when using the normal msconfig. Click from tab to tab and uncheck which programs you don’t need.

. . . And Windows 2000, and NT?

If you have Windows NT or 2000, you can also download the official, Windows XP version of MSCONFIG at http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html.

Download Msconfig for WinNT or Win2000

Go to the Perfect Drivers Website: http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html

Download the File

Right click on the msconfig link that is highlighted to the left and select “save target as.”

Save The Msconfig File

When the box prompts you where you want to save it browse and save it in the directory c:\winnt\system32.

What Next?

Just close the webpage and proceed the same way on how to

use msconfig as listed earlier in the presentation.

Try It Yourself!

Give this useful program a try now and see how your computer responds to it. You might end up thinking you have a new computer after this process is said and done with. It should not only run faster, but your boot up time should be dramatically less as well. It can even solve error messages at startup and get rid of annoying programs that make pop-up advertisements display on your computer.