Now you can use Windows' System Configuration Utility to trim the fat from the Registry Run keys and the Startup group.

   1. To start the utility, select Start > Run, then type msconfig.
   2. Select the Startup tab to show a list of items executed during bootup.
   3. To see the entire Command column, stretch it to the right. A scroll bar should now appear at the bottom of the window, enabling you to view more of the Location information.
   4. Scroll down the list to see if you recognise anything that shouldn't be there. If so, all you have to do is clear its check box to remove the appropriate Registry command line or Startup group shortcut.

Use the powerful System Configuration Utility to easily (but not permanently) remove software from the boot procedure

Tip
The items you remove from the Windows System Configuration Utility aren't lost -- they've just moved to a startupreg or startupfolder key in the Registry. You can retrieve them later if it turns out you shouldn't have removed them. To restore an item to the bootup routine, simply run the utility again and recheck the item's box.

Use a table like this to jot down your before-and-after bootup times