go to start, run, type in msconfig, enter, go to the satrtup tab, everything with a check mark runs at startup. you can uncheck what you want if you know what it is. however some programs need to run at startup like antivirus and other security programs. If you expand the fields in the window with the list of programs you should be able to see some kind of clue what it belongs to. dont worry about it if you do something wrong (with the exception of the security programs) you can always go back and check them again. when you are finished click apply and ok. the system will restart. then a box will pop up telling you that you have used the microsoft configuration utility. check the box to not show this again.