Unnecessary startup items and services

This is a list of programs and services that can be removed from startup via the msconfig application.
To start it:

  1. Click Start (Windows XP users should then click Run).
  2. Type msconfig and press Enter.

A * indicates that some software or hardware may not function without this startup item or service and so you should read the description before disabling it.

Startup Items
Adobe Acrobat – Works fine when not a startup item
Adobe Gamma Loader* – Used to calibrate your monitor with ICC profiles
Adobe Reader Speed Launcher – Not required as the program will open when it is needed.
AdobeARM – Adobe Reader update
AIM – AOL Instant Messenger, Works fine when not a startup item.
Bonjour* – Apple network sharing service. Needed to share music over a network on iTunes
ctfmon* – Keep this if you use advanced text services and/or the language bar
ehTray* – Related to Windows Media Center.
FlashPlayerUpdate – Updater for Flash Player
GoogleToolbarNotifier – Updater for Google Toolbar
Google Update – Launches when you open a lot of Google products anyway
HP Component Manager – Checks for updates for HP products
HP Software Update – Same as above
ISUSPM Startup – Update scheduler for InstallShield. Checks for latest version of setups.
ISUSScheduler – Same as above
iTunes Helper* – Needed to detect your iPod or iPhone in iTunes. Remove if you don’t have one.
Java (TM) Platform SE – Works fine when not a startup item.
Java Quick Starter – Not required as the program will open when it is needed.
jusched – Java updater service
Logitech Desktop Messenger – Checks for updates for Logitech products
LogitechSoftwareUpdate – Same as above
Messenger (Yahoo!) – Works fine when not a startup item
msmsgs / msnmsgr – Windows Live / MSN Messenger
QuickTime Task / QTTask – Quicktime system tray. Not required.
RealDownload – Download manager for RealPlayer. Program works fine without this on startup.
realplay – System tray icon for RealPlayer. Program works fine without this on startup.
Realsched – Updater for RealPlayer
realtray – System tray icon for RealPlayer. Program works fine without this on startup.
SSBkgdUpdate – Omnipage auto-updater
SunJavaUpdateSched – Java updater service
SupportSoft RemoteAssist / Sprocket Service – Can be used by fraud companies to log data
Windows Live Messenger – Works fine when not a startup item

Services
Apple Mobile Device* – Keep if you use an iPod or iPhone.
iPod Service* – Required for iPods.
Messenger – Not Windows Live. Method for sending network messages. Used for spam.
Messenger Sharing USN Journal Reader* – Used for the sharing folders feature in Messenger.
Parental Controls* – Personal preference. Single users should remove this.
Windows Media Center Receiver Service* – Only to be kept if you use Media Center.
Windows Media Center Scheduler Service*
Windows Media Center Service Launcher*
Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service* – needed for sharing music over a network.
Yahoo! Updater – Updates Yahoo products

To add to the list, please post a comment.

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