If you are reading this then you are probably suffering from an acute case of slow computer.
But fear no more this little windows utility will help you and your computer get back on your feet.
Msconfig is a windows utility which among other things controls what programs will startup with Windows when you first turn your computer on.
By stopping programs like MSN Messenger, and all the other junk software which you have forgotten to uninstall, from starting with Windows then you can drastically decrease the time it takes for your computer to startup and the overall speed of your PC.
YAY.
Depending on what version of Windows you have accessing the Msconfig utility can vary.
In Windows Vista and Windows 7 you can easily get to it by typing msconfig into the search bar at the bottom of the start menu and pressing enter.
In windows XP you will need to click on the run utility in the right hand side of the start menu and then typing Msconfig and pressing enter.
(In both Win 7 & Vista msconfig can also be accessed in Run) Each of these two methods should bring up a small window in the middle of your desktop titled System Configuration.
Once this window appears you will have to click on the startup tab which is the second from the right this will bring up a list of applications that start with Windows.
From this window you are able to deselect the applications which you do not want to start up.
Focus your attention on the left hand side of the window underneath the startup item subtitle.
These are the names of the programs that will be starting with Windows.
This is the area where you will have to tread carefully, if you deselect the wrong application then you could cause issues with your entire system, which is why it is important to deselect only the programs that you are familiar with and don't want running at startup.
If the title is not fully visible hover your cursor over its name, this should bring up a bubble revealing its full title.
Once you have identified the applications which you don't want starting up de-check their box on the left hand side.
Now that you have deselected the applications making sure that you have not chosen any system components, we can select apply and then ok.
This then brings up a small window asking if you want to restart now or later we want to select restart now but before we do that we also want to select do not show this message again otherwise that window will appear every time windows starts which can get quiet tiresome.
Congratulations! You have just successfully trimmed your computers startup time! I hope you experience the benefits of this easy to use tool.
Remember to only deselect programs which you recognise and know that you will not need, or don't use, as it can damage your system, were you to get carried away.