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Best Free Startup Manager
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In a Hurry?
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 Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide |
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Introduction
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Startup Managers (sometimes called “Setup” or “Configuration” tools) allow you to control, configure and review the programs and services that start with Windows. It is possible to do this within Windows (msconfig, registry, policies, etc.), but these programs are easier to use and provide extra information and facilities. Vista offers excellent startup management from the "Manage Startup Programs" applet in the control panel. There are a lot of options (paid and free) but we prefer the free stuff. Here are the best options, properly analyzed. |
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Discussion
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As its primary purpose, Starter allows you to view and manage all the programs that run automatically whenever your operating system loads. It enumerates all the hidden registry entries, startup folders' items and some of the initialization files, so that the user can choose to temporarily disable selected entries, edit them, create new, or delete them permanently. Secondary purpose is to list all the running processes with possibility to view extended process' information (such as used DLLs, memory usage, thread count, priorities etc.), and to terminate selected process (even a Windows NT service, having enough access rights). |
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This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations amongst all the startup managers, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them. These programs include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. You can configure Autoruns to show other locations, including Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and much more. Autoruns goes way beyond the MSConfig utility bundled with Windows Me and XP. Autoruns' Hide Signed Microsoft Entries option helps you to zoom in on third-party auto-starting images that have been added to your system and it has support for looking at the auto-starting images configured for other accounts configured on a system. Also included in the download package is a command-line equivalent that can output in CSV format, Autorunsc. |
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WinPatrol takes snapshot of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge. WinPatrol was the pioneer in using a heuristic behavioral approach to detect attacks and violations of your computing environment. It continues to be one of the most powerful system monitors while staying a single small program. As a robust SECURITY MONITOR , WinPatrol will alert you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission. As a MULTI PURPOSE SUPPORT UTILITY WinPatrol replaces multiple system utilities with its enhanced functionality. |
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Related Products and Links
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You might want to check out these articles too: |
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Editor
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This software category is maintained by volunteer editor meetsangvikar. Registered members can contact the editor with any comments or questions they might have by clicking here. |
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Tags
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startup manager, startup control, startup delay, free startup program, freeware |
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Comments
Starter is now portable.
[Moderator's note : link to direct download of file removed. Not allowed.]
I have Winpatrol on all of my computers. It's amazing how many times the little Scotty dog barks and alerts to something wanting to add itself to the startup.
What is the reason to mention Nir Sofer's StartUpRun here?
Nir Sofer tells on the page of StartUpRun that the program is obsolete. It has not been updated in 7 years. Nir Sofer recommends to use WhatInStartup for Win2000 and higher.
Am I missing something?
NirSoft's StartupRun was replaces by WhatInStartup, the page for StartupRun tells you to use WhatInStartup plus a link to it, direct page here (not a direct link to download):
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/what_run_in_startup.html
Please review it :)
Thank you for a great website.
This article by housecurrupt is excellent and so are the reader comments.
I've recently been using WinPatrol but I will check out the other ones in time.
My messenger program called Skype had been crashing on startup...I tried everything under the sky to fix that to no avail...finally, I deleted it as a startup program and now my Skype works when I give my 'puter at least five minutes to load up its various start programs.
Please note that I also had to uncheck the "Start Skype automatically in Windows" option within the Skype program.
I check my software programs for options within them to start or not start automatically when Windows loads up.
Unfortunately, I've seen some programs that don't have such an option and will preset itself to automatically start when Windows loads up. Any suggestions or advice?
I think you made the right choice picking 'safer' Starter over Autoruns. If all you want to do is control programs at startup, Autoruns is an overkill. According to this post http://forum.sysinternals.com/what-to-uncheck-and-what-not_topic5226.html, changing wrong entry could potentially lock yourself out of Windows.
Hi bibzgi and thanks for the appreciation.
In those cases you have to control those programs through your startup program. Because of that fact and much more, it's always very useful to have a startup program...
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U still didn't review Startup Delayer...
http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay
No support listed on their site for Vista x64 or Windows 7 which might be one reason.
But...
Such programs are usually still reviewed and the lack of x64 support is mentioned. (BTW it works on my Windows 7 x64 so...)
I will test it in the next few days... ;)
There still doesn't seem to be a solution that allows you to control what will startup at startup. All the solutions seem to be enable/disable items then reboot. I want to load different subsets depending on what I am loging on for. E.g working with music load everything related to music and nothing that will be scanning the disk and interuppting the music. I would like to see an app that enables you to save various subset selections and "startup profiles" and then select which to use during the logon process. This to me seems far more logical than controlling startup after startup by rebooting.
It's a good point... But I work with different kinds of software (one of them music production) and I don't have any item that needs to load at startup, but it's a good point of view.
We are open to suggestions ;)
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I ran across a new startup manager, Soluto, that is very good. Tells you how much time it takes to startup each item and tells you if it can be delayed/eliminated, or if you should leave it alone. Made very significant bootup time reductions on my Win7 x64 system, from >5 min to <1 min. Just installed it today, but it looks like a great tool.
Very new and still in Beta so not recommended for this type of program. That said, their objective has great potential if they are able to make the system work. Fix yourself for free or pay to have it done automatically is not a bad choice so long as the final doesn't impose more restrictions than this and their current privacy policy doesn't change.
http://forums.techguy.org/general-security/926373-soluto-beta-reviews.html
Definitely one to watch as it develops.
Soluto is nice, but when it runs, it adds a good amount of time to the total startup.
I agree too.
And about one year ago Soluto had some conflict with some other application or hardware driver... I can't remember exactly anymore - but I had to uninstall it (if not reinstall the whole Windows :)) And as I see on it's website, it is again "Beta" in the name... just in case :) ?
I am sorry, that my favorite CCleaner has no delay function.
That's why I am testing WinPatrol in last few days - it has even 3 ways of startup:
1. maximized,
2. normal window and
3. minimized in tray.
I agree...
I mentioned soluto in the forum under the internet section
it was also mentioned by lifehacker, worth taking a look at
I will take a look... ;)
Thanks
"Definitely one to watch as it develops."
For sure ;)
Autorun displays a bunch of programs that I've never heard of and don't know which are safe to disable. I've been told that my pc starts very slow because it starts many software programs at the beginning, yet my startup folder in the start menu is empty. DO I have to search the internet for each name on the list that Autorun displays?
Spybot Search and Destroy got something in the advanced tools. It displays some tips on some programs and that is it safe to turn off. TeaTimer in the suite have real time protection too.
Not favoring recently becouse it is now have a huge starting time. And it "turns off" items to redirecting them to a self exe which does not do anything.
But can give some tips where to look to find the information.
Thanks for the info ;)
No.
If you do not know what to disable, ask a friend for help.
Disabling startup programs is not a game ;)
CCleaner has good basic startup management in it's tools section. It also seems to recognize when an update re-enabled something. The item listing is not duplicated.
Hi there.
The functionality that CCleaner provides is a simple way to control startup items, nothing more than that. But very useful ;)
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Over the last few years I have downloaded and use over 100 PC freeware programs (probably much less than most of you), and I would say at least 80% came from Gizmo recommendations. All are excellent. But of those, WinPatrol was the only one that, after using it for several months, I just had to purchase the lifetime license edition, with its even faster detection rate. Thanks for all the great suggestions and informative reviews.
Winpatrol is a very good Startup Manager, I have used Winpatrol software a long time ago, and I just loved it.
I respect your choice, but Autoruns is much more complete, although not having a real time agent.
What I like about WinPatrol and Autoruns.
(Hopefully without repeating too much info from the article)
Some Win Patrol strengths:
Shows time of scheduled tasks.
Alerts you to security changes with pop-ups and audio alerts.
Can add my own notes to entries.
Can delay startup of programs.
Can kill active tasks directly.
Can delete entry on startup if needed
Tabs such as File Type, Delayed Start, Hidden Files, Recent (malware infections), Cookies, etc.
Some Autoruns strengths:
Can be linked to Process Explorer.
Can be linked to the Registry Editor.
17 tabbed sections including Drivers, Explorer, Image Hijacks, Sidebar gadgets, Print Monitors, etc.
Find feature.
Very configurable.
Note: the list for both could go on and on, but I definitely would not want to be without either one.
Bottom line: for me personally, I don't think of one startup program as being better than another. I simply use the strengths of each one. I also really like Quick Startup by GlarySoft and am only now becoming familiar with CodeStuff Starter.
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