First we need to open the Registry Editor by clicking on the Start button then clicking Run.

Type "regedit" in the "Open" space as seen here. Now just click "Ok".

This is the Registry Editor screen with all of the folders collapsed (closed).

The very first thing we must do is to BACKUP the registry! This is quite simple but may take some time if you have a lot of registry entries. Simply click on "File" at the top of the Editor window then click on "Export".

I usually give my regfile a name like 2-29-04 so I know when it was created. Click Save.

Next we click on the plus sign (+) next to HKEY_CURRENT_USER

to expand the folder.

Now we continue clicking the plus signs to expand each folder until we have reached here: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

On the right side of the screen you will see keys that represent items (applications) that are being started when you boot up (turn on) your computer. These are the items we are concerned with at this time. In the next pictures you'll see that I'm attempting to stop MS Messenger from starting when Windows does. To do this simply follow the instructions in the pictures.

Now just click Ok.

Ah but this is only one place that these items are placed in your registry.

The other two are HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

Repeat the key editing steps as above being very careful not to edit anything that could disable hardware drivers that your system needs to run properly. If this should happen and your system won't start properly or you can't get back into Windows there are several ways to fix this. One is to tap the F8 key on your keyboard as your computer is starting up to get to a menu screen. Now use the arrow keys to highlight Safemode and hit the Enter key. Once you are in Windows Safemode you can open the registry editor, then click on "File" then "Import" and navigate to where you saved your registry file. If you cannot get into Windows in Safemode then restart the computer and tap the F8 key again, this time choosing "Last Known Good Configuration". This has gotten my butt out of a jam a few times. :-)

Well that's it! I'll be expanding on the editor more later, but for now, this should help a few people out.

Author: Sandi Neumann Owner/PC-Ductape

Click here to return to PC-Ductape Home