Time Saving Tuesday
Do you find Windows starting up slow because of all the applications that are set to automatically run at the beginning? If you consult anyone tech savvy they will say to cut back on the number of applications that start with your computer, but that’s hard for some people to do. Most of the time those programs serve a purpose, and people want them to be running when they need them.
If you delete the items you’ll probably end up manually starting them later on. So how about we delay the startup programs for a few minutes until after Windows has had time to run all of your most important applications? That’s where the free Startup Delayer comes into play (for Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista). With it you can designate which applications you want to start with Windows, and you can associate a delay for each one. For example, your instant messenger programs probably aren’t of immediate importance so why not have them start a few minutes after Windows has done its thing?
Lets take a look at how to make Startup Delayer work for you…
–Adding Startup Items–
The heart and soul of Startup Delayer is the central management screen. That’s where you can specify what programs you want to startup, assign each one a delay in seconds, and move them around so that each app starts in the order that you want it to.
You would think that being able to assign a delay to a startup program is enough, but Startup Delayer does even more than that. You can also choose the process priority (low, below normal, normal, above normal, high, or realtime) and the initial window size (maximized, minimized, hidden, or normal) of each application.
–Import Startup Items–
Sure you could sit there manually adding all of the programs to Startup Delayer, but why go through the hassle? In the File menu there is an import option which will list all of the existing applications that are scheduled to startup with Windows. Check the boxes of the apps that you want Startup Delayer to handle, and click the Import button. Startup Delayer will import them, and it will remove the options from the Windows Registry/Startup folder to ensure that there are no duplicates!
Tip: There is a Create Backup button at the bottom that I highly suggest you use before importing any of the entries. This will backup all of your startup entries in case you decide to revert back to the traditional startup method.
–Make Your Sequence Start with Windows–
Entering in startup entries isn’t enough though. After you get the order and delays of your applications just right you’ll need to tell Windows to run your sequence when it starts up. Here’s what you have to do (see the corresponding diagram below):
- Save the sequence to your computer. It doesn’t really matter where you save it just as long as it will always be accessible (tip: don’t put it on a USB drive).
- Choose the display method (make sure to press the Save button if you make changes):
- This Window – At startup it shows the same management screen that you use to configure the startup entries.
- Report – At startup it shows a small window that lists which programs have already been initiated and which ones still need to run (screenshot in the next section)
- None – At startup no information is shown on the progress of your startup items. It’s all done “behind-the-scenes”.
- Click the Execute with Windows link and find the file that you saved in Step 1. After completing this step your sequence will be scheduled to start with Windows.
–Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor–
So you have all of that done? There is nothing left to do other than enjoy the faster startup of Windows! Here’s what the report view looks like when starting the computer:
Ahh, it’s nice being able to fully control and delay startup programs!
the first link on their page doesn’t work, i had to use the second one
MS did it with services in Vista but probably hoped that people would use the new Task scheduler for doing this…but this specialized solution is better.
I must be the only one still using WinPatrol for tasks like this. Its the best one I’ve found for delaying startups as well as keeping me aware of anything new that shows up. In my world, if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it!
I note the screenshot refers to the “Windows Register”. Don’t you hate it when there’s poor English in apps? C’mon…am I the only one who finds that a big turn-off for trying apps?
Also, without even proofing is for a minute, I noticed the words ‘higly’ (sic) and ‘recommeded’ (sic), in the dialogue boxes, too.
There are actually a few mistakes in the spelling that I’ve noticed, but if a program is useful enough it is okay with me. Many times I just email the developers to let them know, especially when they’re free apps. That way I feel like I’m helping them out, too.
I think having a specialized solution to do this is a little bit better because adding and managing the programs is easier.
i would like to ask about the delay timing. lets say the first app has delay timing of 10 secs, the next app is set to 25 secs. does it mean the 2nd app starts 25 secs after windows or after the first app?
Another excellent app for this is Jackass JoeJoe’s StartRight [joejoesoft.com]
However many startup items truly are unneeded, but how to find out. How about RunScanner [runscanner.net] It will help you analyze your startup items so you only keep the ones you need. HP is the worst in this area, when you install their drivers, watch tons of extra startup items show up that you don’t really need.
From my tests the timing is always after Windows starts. So it would be 25 seconds after Windows starts up.
Isn’t there some bitter irony in trying to speed up startup by using a program written in .Net, which is notorious for long loading times (let alone the memory requirements)? It’s a fantastic idea, and a free program too, so I’m looking a gift horse in the mouth in the most awful way, but really – .Net is slow! Even optimized, even on a fast machine, it’s always going to start several times slower than a native Win32 application. Grumble, grumble
Ok, load the util and run it, quit and don’t save any changes; result, no programs load next time you boot — oops! Go back, reload all your programs and reboot, util runs and loads everything up. Decide it’s not very helpful and uninstall it, end result ALL your programs are gone and can’t be reinstated. Only option is to reload this thing. Not good, nasty sucking sounds are heard. Still trying to figure out how to reinstate things before I installed this disaster zone!
We provided instructions on how to backup your startup items before importing them. I’m guessing you didn’t go with that advice?
the real start up delayer is a lot better than the one you reviewed here!
It has automated features and a better GUI.
Have a look here [appaholic.co.uk]