Software Updates - a rant ...

[sunny-dave]

What part of "Leave my System Settings Alone you Barstewards" is so hard for application developers to understand.

Yet again I have installed a security update/patch (Adobe Reader this time) and yet again the program has inserted itself into my Startup list.

They all do it - Adobe, iTunes, Google etc etbloodycetera - meaning that after every routine update I have to go into msconfig and untick the relevant entries in the Startup list.

The same after virtually every new program install - straight into the Startup list - if I'd wanted "bigandbouncy photo editor" permanently loaded I've had said so - I don't, so please sod off.

Most people don't tidy their startup list, so most people find that their previously acceptable startup time is drifting out to something that makes glacial movement look snappy and their overall performance is degrading too.

I don't want your dratted programs filling my system RAM just on the off chance that I might need them - wait until I ask and *then* I'll wait a moment or two for you to load.

Grrrrrr

< grumpy dave >

[daffy654]

I'm definitely in agreement with you here Dave. I have 3 computers in the house that I have to keep an eye on for this problem.

[bibblebub]

There are various programs that will alert you to something being added to the startup and let you prevent it.

e.g. StartUpMonitor http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml works in XP but not sure if it's ok in Windows 7.

I use Anvir task monitor http://www.anvir.com/ instead of the Windows task manager and that includes such monitoring.

[ChuckFickens]

My pet hate is things that change file associations without any warning!

[ethelburga]

Just read your gripe, and so agree with you. I'm a silver surfer, or granny in other words, and widowed so no husband to help, and whenever there's an upgrade or for me, on iPad, something new, and it always means trouble!! And boxes to tick, and so often I don't know which to tick. Oh well

[sunny-dave]

Ah yes chuck - the "you have selected our product as appropriate to do one specialist task - so now we will associate it with everything in sight, which it will now handle very badly" trick.

A bit like installing Nigella Lawson in the kitchen (v good) and then her manager insisting that she also carries out the surgery you need on your knee (not so good) ...

[AB Editor]

This can happen quite easily, if you're not a diligent unticker: http://j-walkblog.com...too_many_toolbars.jpg :)

[sunny-dave]

How did you get a screen shot of my system ;=)

[daffy654]

I hate toolbars! I get really annoyed when I know that I have unticked everything on an install package and I still end up with a toolbar.

[Old_Geezer]

Oh start up list, that annoys me too. Especially when it is something that is only needed if you use the Ap. Why is it loading itself in ? I get Quick Time coming in on my work PC every now and again. It doesn't seem to realise I neither need nor want it in. (Not even sure why I need it at all anyway.)

[ChuckFickens]

Winamp is one of the worst ones, I love it as a music player but it insists on trying to take over the file associations for video files as well. the general procedure is....

Install winamp
Remove startup item
turn of file associations in winamp
Re-associate all video files with VLC player
Then there will be an update for winamp so start at the beginning again.....

Gah!! if I've told you not to steal file associations then don't steal them again after everyupdate!

[ummmm]

How do you know what to untick?

[Old_Geezer]

Easy Ummm. You untick something at random, your PC fails, and you ask here how to put it right.

[ummmm]

Been there, done that...lol

[SlackAlice]

I'm with you lot ☺.
Just built my slinky new pc, and now re-installing my programs. Never been into 'msconfig' so much for ages.

[sunny-dave]

Start at the bottom of the list - all itunes entries, all adobe entries, all google entries, quicktime, phone stuff (nokia etc), java, audible, amazon ... all safe enough to disable.

[ummmm]

I only had 12 programmes in the start up. Now I have 4, because I don't know what they are.

[ChuckFickens]

Another pet hate is the amount of crap that comes on every single new computer these days, I purchased a toshiba ultrabook a few weeks ago and there was 3pages of crap in programs and features! I ended up just doing a clean install on it rather than clearing up the unwanted software as it was a quicker option.

[Hopkirk]

How do I see my start up list please?

[ChuckFickens]

click start and enter msconfig in the run box, press enter (or if on XP click start > run and enter msconfig, press enter)

[Old_Geezer]

I use an ap called "wheresjames" but I'm unsure it's still available. Must be loads of others at the download sites though.