How to Disable Windows startup items for performance and stability

Summary: The following article takes you through optimizing your computers performance and stability by disabling start-up items.

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Instructions

Anyone wanting to improve their computers performance can disable any unneeded Windows Startup Items. This does not delete or disable the program. It only prevents it from starting automatically when the Windows operating system boots. The following instructions take you through permanently disabling start up items using the Windows Registry tool.

Warning: Use caution when editing the registry as permanent damage can occur to the operating system. ONLY delete items that you are certain should never start automatically when Windows boots. Use online resources to determine each item's purpose. Some startup items are critical for the stable operation of Windows. Best practice dictates that you back up all your personal data and programs before doing this.
  1. Launch the Regedit program.
    1. Click the Start button.
    2. Click Run.
    3. Type regedit in the dialog box that appears.
    4. Click the OK button.
  2. Find: HKey_Local_Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run
  3. For 64-Bit Windows, find: HKey_Local_Machine\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run
  4. After locating the registry keys, examine all the startup items and delete any entries for items that you do not want to start when Windows boots.
  5. This differs from using the MSCONFIG utility as changes made in the registry are permanent. However, you are only temporarily disabling the selected startup items with MSCONFIG.
Note: The Wow6432Node registry entry indicates that you are running a 64-bit version of Windows. The operating system uses this key to present a separate view of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE for 32-bit applications that run on a 64-bit version of Windows. On 64-bit Windows, portions of the registry entries are stored separately for 32-bit applications and 64-bit applications. They are mapped into separate logical registry views using the registry redirector and registry reflection. This is because the 64-bit version of an application may use different registry keys and values than the 32-bit version. There are also shared registry keys that are not redirected or reflected.

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Affected Products

Alienware, Dell All-in-One, Dell Pro All-in-One, Dell Pro Max Micro, Dell Pro Max Slim, Dell Pro Max Tower, Dell Pro Micro, Dell Pro Slim, Dell Pro Tower, Dell Slim, Dell Tower, Inspiron, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, Chromebook, G Series , Alienware, Dell Plus, Dell Pro, Dell Pro Max, Dell Pro Plus, Dell Pro Premium, Inspiron, Latitude, Dell Pro Rugged, Vostro, XPS, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations, Dell Pro Max Micro XE FCM2250 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000122786
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 07 May 2025
Version:  4
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