Auto-Start Manager

This utility allows you to manage all applications which start automatically and run behind your back when system is loaded. Such programs consume a good part of your system's resources, and can slow down other programs. This tool can organize programs that auto-run using Registry, Startup folders in the Start menu and Win.ini file.

You can prevent an application from auto starting by unchecking it, and then clicking Update. The application shortcut will be moved to another safe location. For example, the entries in the Startup group in the start menu are moved to 'StartUpDisabled'. So you should not delete that folder. You can permanently remove that item using Remove option from the right-click popup menu. Note that the application is not deleted in this process; it simply removes the reference to that program.

Using a built-in database, Ace Utilities can also check whether there are any commonly known viruses/ spyware/ Trojan starting automatically.

Usage

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Enabling and disabling of entries does not remove the entry from the list. They are only allowed to start or prevented from starting automatically. To remove an item permanently, click 'Remove' from the popup menu or press 'Del' key.

You can also edit an entry to rename it or change the target application path.

Adding new startup items

A useful feature is the Add option in the menu. Using this tool you can easily add new items to be started when Windows does. This is much more convenient than traversing system Registry and manually entering data.

To add a new item to your startup list, right-click on the window and select the option labeled 'Add'. To edit an existing startup item select it from the displayed list and then select the button labeled 'Edit'. A box with various options will appear allowing you to configure the item. The options in this box are described as follows:


Name : You may type the description of the item within this box. The information in this area is displayed in the "Program Name" column when listed.

Path/Cmd : This is the path and filename of the item that you would like to be started. You may either select the button with the folder icon at the right of this box to browse for a file, or manually type this information into this box.

You can make this new entry start every time Windows starts, or only once . Also, it can be set to start only for the current user or for all user profiles.

You may also edit any of the existing listed items in order to move them from one location to another, change their program description, or update the command line that is being used to start the item.

By clicking 'Report', you can save the list as a text file.

Read tips and tricks to get the maximum out of this tool.