Having a problem using and understanding Software Explorer.
My computer has slowed down so much that I long for the days of dial up. I went through all of the trouble shooting steps suggested on this forum as well as the 'help' feature on Vista.
I finally ended up with information from Software Explorer explaining that the problem may be with the programs I have on Startup. It gave simple instructions on how to disable certain programs. First, I cannot find a 'disable' feature anywhere. How can I find it? I went through the entire menu and could not find the word 'disabled.'
Next, the help feature gave a brief explanation on how to understand the start up Software Explorer details. I still have no idea what it means. First, you have to choose a category to monitor. Then, it gives a brief explanation on how to read the stats, but leaves the choice of which programs to disable to the individual.My second question is in two parts. (1) How does one know which category to choose to monitor? (2) How does one read the stats and make a decision on which programs to disable? I recently started getting annoying pop ups from Windows Defender that I have blocked certain programs from my startup. If I did block any programs, I certainly do not remember. Besides, I cannot even find the disable feature.
Is there someone out there who is patient enough to explain what all of this means?Thank you in advance.
1 person got this answerI do too
Answers
- Hi,
For question #2 :
1st three here are pretty easy
VistaUACMaker – Make XP Based Programs and Applications Compatible With Vista and Windows 7
http://www.technixupdate.com/vistauacmaker-make-xp-based-programs-and-applications-compatible-with-vista-and-windows-7/
Ignore UAC for specific programs
http://msmvps.com/blogs/martinzugec/archive/2008/05/16/ignore-uac-for-specific-programs.aspx
How to Run Programs Elevated Without Getting the UAC Prompt
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/run-programs-elevated-without-getting-the-uac-prompt/
Selectively disable UAC for your trusted Vista applications
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=635
Hope this helps.
Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.- Proposed As Answer bySpiritX Wednesday, November 04, 2009 12:15 PM
- Marked As Answer bywinniethepoo Saturday, November 07, 2009 12:26 AM
All Replies
- Hi,
For question #1 :
Software Explorer is a good reference tool yet not the easiest tool to use for seeing the effect of each
program on system performance.
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
How to troubleshoot performance issues in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950685
Optimizing Microsoft Windows Vista Performance
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/959062
To see all that is loading bootup - wait a few minutes without doing anything - then Right Click TaskBar -
Task Manager - take a look at Appplications - Processes - Services - this is a quick reference (if you have
a little box on Lower Left - Show for All Users then check that).
How to Check and Change the Startup Programs in Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/79612-startup-programs-enable-disable.html
A quick check to see which are loading is Method 2 there - using MSCONFIG then post a list of those here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Tools that should help :
Process Explorer - Free - Find out what files, registry keys and other objects processes have open, which DLLs
they have loaded, and more. This uniquely powerful utility will even show you who owns each process.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx
Autoruns - Free - See what programs are configured to startup automatically when your system boots and you
login. Autoruns also shows you the full list of Registry and file locations where applications can configure auto-
start settings.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
Process Monitor - Free - Monitor file system, Registry, process, thread and DLL activity in real-time.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx
There are many excellent free tools at Sysinternals
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default.aspx
WhatsInStartUP - Free - This utility displays the list of all applications that are loaded automatically when Windows
starts up. For each application, the following information is displayed: Startup Type (Registry/Startup Folder),
Command -Line String, Product Name, File Version, Company Name, Location in the Registry or file system,
and more. It allows you to easily disable or delete unwanted programs that runs in your Windows startup.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/what_run_in_startup.htmlThere are many excellent free tools at NirSoft
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/index.html
Window Watcher - Free - Do you know what's running on your computer? Maybe not. The Window Watcher tells all, reporting every window created by every running program, whether the window is visible or not.
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptwinwatch.asp
Many excellent free tools and an excellent newsletter at Karenware
http://www.karenware.com/
Hope these help.
Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.- Proposed As Answer bySpiritX Wednesday, November 04, 2009 12:13 PM
- Hi,
For question #2 :
1st three here are pretty easy
VistaUACMaker – Make XP Based Programs and Applications Compatible With Vista and Windows 7
http://www.technixupdate.com/vistauacmaker-make-xp-based-programs-and-applications-compatible-with-vista-and-windows-7/
Ignore UAC for specific programs
http://msmvps.com/blogs/martinzugec/archive/2008/05/16/ignore-uac-for-specific-programs.aspx
How to Run Programs Elevated Without Getting the UAC Prompt
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/run-programs-elevated-without-getting-the-uac-prompt/
Selectively disable UAC for your trusted Vista applications
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=635
Hope this helps.
Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.- Proposed As Answer bySpiritX Wednesday, November 04, 2009 12:15 PM
- Marked As Answer bywinniethepoo Saturday, November 07, 2009 12:26 AM
- Hey thanks, these are some great references. I learned a lot about programs associated with start up as well as other information. I may need some help with the techie language, but I'll save that for later. Thanks again - great answer.
- Glad to have helped.
Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
