How do you prevent programs from starting up automatically?

Discussion in 'other security issues & news' started by CJsDad, Mar 4, 2006.

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  1. CJsDad

    CJsDad Registered Member

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    Is there a way to only allow certain programs to run at startup while stopping the others automatically or do I have to do this manually?
     
  2. trickyricky

    trickyricky Registered Member

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    I'm not sure what you mean. Are you trying to stop specific applications from running at Windows startup, or do you mean something else?
     
  3. CJsDad

    CJsDad Registered Member

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    Thats right, certain applications.
    In another thread I asked about Real Time and On Demand so I was wondering if there was a way you could prevent certain applications from running at start up and just run them when you wantd to.

    For instance say, Spy Sweeper or Counter Spy (I have them on seperate computers) and I want to run them On Demand instead of the programs staring automatically and running in Real time, is there a way I could do this?
     
  4. StevieO

    StevieO Registered Member

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    You have to do it manually for most Apps, otherwise the PC would be able to read your mind, if you see what i mean.

    Some will have an option not to auto start so check for that.

    You can do it very easily though using msconfig, just uncheck what you don't want to start. If you need something just launch it from the start menu for eg.


    StevieO

    I think this might be better in Software and Services !
     
  5. LambChop

    LambChop Registered Member

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    We use a program that seems to have been abandoned by its author called PC Forrest StartMan -- this program lets me know if another program wants to start a new run at startup - or auto.

    We are also alerted by Kerio, our firewall if anything new wants in or out -- it really depends a great deal on how you have setup your security software, your computer's system, and your personal preferences set when you install etc.

    This is what you are asking?
    o_O

    This is one of several programs that will do the same - it is called ProcessGuard:
    http://www.diamondcs.com.au/processguard/

    Hope this is of some help.
    :)
     
  6. JerryM

    JerryM Registered Member

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    If there is not an easy way in the program itself, I use Win Patrol. It shows the startup programs, and gives the option to disable startup.

    Jerry
     
  7. Rico

    Rico Registered Member

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    Hello CJsDad,

    To stop programs from loading at startup (assumption you have XP) do the following:

    "click" start > run > "type" msconfig > "click" startup > "remove" check mark from applications you wish not to run > reboot. The unchecked prog. should now not be running.

    To restore the prog. (start up) follow the above procedure, & re check the item.

    Good Luck
    rico
     
  8. CJsDad

    CJsDad Registered Member

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    I'm running XP and thanks I will give that a try.
     
  9. Vikorr

    Vikorr Registered Member

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    I'll second winpatrol to use as a startup manager. It's the easiest one to use I've found so far.

    One thing it does that I haven't found another doing, is the option to delete or 'disable' an application from the autostart list (it doesn't delete the program, just stops it from autostarting).

    If you disable a startup application...it will no longer autostart...and if you change your mind and want to re-autostart it down the track...simply 'enable' the program (because when you disable it, it doesnt disappear from the list, it simply sits in the list marked as disabled)
     
  10. lifehacker

    lifehacker Registered Member

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    You can either do it my going to run and typing msconfig or by going to run and typing services.msc. Services.msc also gives you a brief description of the process so I use it instead of msconfig.
     
  11. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Hello,

    First - do not disable startup items or services randomly - it's dangerous! You should only disable things you know for sure you need to disable.

    Second - some programs must have things running, even if they are on demand. There are utilities that have system modules that must run permanently, even though actual scans are performed manually.

    Usually, you will know which programs are real-time and which on-demand. And disabling the real-time component is not always 100% smart with some applications. This is especially true for programs that rely on services.

    However...

    If you want to tamper ...

    Do a system restore first before doing any changes.

    Export your services and startup registry and save them as backups.

    Now ...

    If you feel your startup is cluttered, you might consider disabling some items. But I would not suggest disabling anti-virus, firewall and similar software. The best thing is ask specifically for each application - and how to do it.

    Services - if you feel leet enough to play with these.

    First, try setting services to manual. Do not disable them at once. Change only ONE service at a time. Reboot after every change. See if everything functions as needed.

    Do not change all at once - you won't know what the source of problem is if you do - or stop them while running - let the reboot handle that part.

    Some services MUST NOT be disabled. So be careful.


    You can control the startup using msconfig or a third-party program like Winpatrol or Microsoft Anti-Spyware - these two actually run in real-time.

    Now, just tell me what items you would like real-time and what on-demand.

    Mrk
     
  12. sweater

    sweater Registered Member

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    I use WinPatrol, Autoruns and also the Startup Mechanic 2.5 can analyze and if you want to it disables some suspected programs from starting .. ;)
     
  13. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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    1- First from the programme options itself( many have this option)
    2- 2nd chice, STARTER or AUTORUNS

    But be careful, make sure thw programme is not essential, as from your post it apperas that you are a quite beginner( like me!)
     
  14. tlu

    tlu Guest

    You can control your autostarts with Autoruns from Sysinternals. You should also note that there are about 50 autostart locations in Windows but most of them can only be misused by any software if you are logged in as administrator which alone makes it very obvious that permanently working as admin is careless.

    If you are logged in as a (restricted) user only the following 7 autostart locations are available (the user has write access):
    • c:\documents and settings\<user>\start\autostart
    • c:\documents and settings\all users\start\autostart
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    This means that the possibilities of any malware to infect the PC are limited. But you can make your security even tighter by blocking also those remaining autostart locations:
    1. Go to http://blogs.msdn.com/aaron_margosis/default.aspx
    2. Download Aaron Margolis' MakeMeAdmin batch and edit it accordingly.
    3. Start MakeMeAdmin from your restricted user account. Start regedit and explorer respectively in the MakeMeAdmin window (i.e. as administrator) and deprive the user account of write access for the above mentioned autostart locations.
    4. Change the owner for these autostart locations from user to administrator.
    Result: ALL available autostart locations in Windows are write protected as long as you are logged in as user. No malware has a chance to creep into your PC. The only discomfort is that those legitimate applications that would normally not need admin rights to be installed now have to be installed via MakeMeAdmin in the case they need an entry in these autostart locations - a price I'm happily willing to pay.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 5, 2006
  15. CJsDad

    CJsDad Registered Member

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    Sorry I should have made myself in a little clearer in my previous post.
    What I meant as far as programs automatically running on startup I was talking about programs such as anti virus, anti trojan, and anti spyware programs.
    Nothing at all that has to do with the internal parts of the system, I won't even think about touching any of that.
    As for my security its as follows:
    NOD32-anti virus
    Look n' Stop-firewall
    The rest are- Spy Sweeper, Spybot S & D, Spyware Blaster, Spyware Guard, Ad Aware, Ewido and A Squared.
    I leave all of programs running but I noticed some here have certain programs that they run On Demand and Real Time.
    I was just wondering why and if its o.k. to that with certain programs.
    The anti virus and firewall is a must to keep running but I was wondering abut the other programs I have.
    Not so much with Ewido and A Squared because as I understand it they dont run in real time with the free versions, but what about the rest of my programs, the anti spyware protection?
    As for my surfing habits, no porn or P2P sites are involved.
     
  16. trickyricky

    trickyricky Registered Member

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    As far as I'm concerned, for a seemingly low-risk surfer like yourself, NOD32 and Look 'n' Stop are fine to have running real-time.

    Of the others you mention, AdAware, Ewido, Spywareblaster and A Squared don't run any real-time components, they are either "passive" or are run on demand.

    SpywareGuard runs real-time and is worth keeping to protect your browsing.
    So only Spybot and Spy Sweeper actually have real-time components which you could disable. Spy Sweeper has its own real-time stuff, which I'd suggest you leave running, and Spybot has teatimer. If you are running Spy Sweeper's real-time protection, you can disable Teatimer as they will cover similar areas and Spy Sweeper has better real-time components than Spybot's Teatimer.

    I hope that helps you more with your specific issues.
     
  17. Devil's Advocate

    Devil's Advocate Registered Member

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    Some programs can work with the windows scheduler so you can schedule say antiviruses to start scanning at certain times, defrag at certain times, some can do it on their own..

    Is that what you mean?
     
  18. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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    You have AV and Firewall already, pretty good choices also.

    Keep spybot as on-demand(that is its default mode if you installed it in beginner mode), although still you can run it as real time scanner( Tea Timer) but I will not advice for that.

    If your spysweeper is not trial, use it as real time scanner. So you are done with spyware protection.

    With spysweeper, you don,t need spyware guard, so no need to use it.

    Spywrae blaster is not real time scanner, just an immunizer, so it,s ok to have.

    Ad-aware, if free, it can,t be used as real time scaner, if it is paid version, even then, after SpySweeper, you don,t need it to use in real time(ad-watch). So in any case use it as on-demand.

    Ewido and a-sq are free versions, so no question of real time scanning. If paid, Ewido is good in real time scanning.

    Only things if you want to add is

    1- a HIPS, PG or OA( I will prefer PG). Even free version of PG you can use.

    2-And for registry protection best is RegDefend( or Rejwatcher if u want free) but I will not advise unless you are expert. But as beginner if you want you can add winpatrol or Arovax Shield( I prefer Winpatrol- and use free version).

    Thats all I think. It may be too uch I suspect. At the moment I am using following in real time- NIS, MSAS, WinPatrol free, PG frre( and OA trial just to try-- I think it has much overlap with PG)

    I will be happy if any body can compare OA with IDS of ZA Pro( I am trying to compare both). -- sorry to be off-topic.
     
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