Best Free Startup Manager [1]
Introduction
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.
Rated Products
Our Rating:
License: Free
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [5] | [6]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [7]
Summary:
Read more... [4]
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [5] | [6]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [7]
| Our Rating: 5/5 |
|
Comprehensive display of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, logon entries, explorer add-ons, etc., zoom in on third-party auto-starting images added to the system.
N/A
Read more... [4]
License: Free
Comprehensive display of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, logon entries, explorer add-ons, etc., zoom in on third-party auto-starting images added to the system.
N/A
Read full review... [4]
[8]
Starter [8] [9]
View and manage all the programs that run automatically whenever the system loads
Our Rating:
License: Free
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [10] | [6]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [7]
Summary:
Read more... [9]
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [10] | [6]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [7]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
The user interface is pretty simple and has a lot of options that are self-explanatory.
N/A
Read more... [9]
License: Free
The user interface is pretty simple and has a lot of options that are self-explanatory.
N/A
Read full review... [9]
[11]
WinPatrol [11] [12]
Alert you to new startup programs or any changes that may occur without your knowledge
Our Rating:
License: Free (Limited features)
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [13] | [6]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [7]
Summary:
Read more... [12]
Platforms/Download: Windows (Desktop) [13] | [6]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [7]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
The power of multiple programs without the bloat of a security suite.
Real-time monitoring is limited to commercial version.
Read more... [12]
License: Free (Limited features)
The power of multiple programs without the bloat of a security suite.
Real-time monitoring is limited to commercial version.
Read full review... [12]
Related Products and Links
You might want to check out these articles too:
- Best Free PC Tune-up Utility [14]
- Easy Access To Your Startup Folder And Many Others [15]
- How to Open Your Favorite Program or Document Automatically at Startup [16]
- How to Stop Vista Objecting to Programs at Startup [17]
Editor
This software review is copy-edited by Glyn Burgess [18]. Please help edit and improve this article by clicking here [19].
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