Windows 7 Question

[Hawkmoon]

Since my wife passed away I am taking over her new notebook computer to replace my aging Windows XP notebook. My wife had set the machine up to start Skype automatically when the computer boots up. I don't use Skype. I don't want to remove Skype completely, but I also don't want it running unless for some reason I decide to fire it up and try it.

I can't find anything that looks like a "STARTUP" folder. Does anyone know where Windows 7 hides the programs that start by themselves, and how I can deactivate autostart without remving the program entirely?

[BobR]

Go into the tools folder (tab) and then options when skype starts. Uncheck the box that say to start skype when windows opens. This is assuming it starts up and you are signed on to her account.

bob

[Hawkmoon]

I'm not signed onto her account, but anyone I'd be likely to talk to would be one of her relatives. I'll have to think that over ... the urgent need for the moment was just to stop the *^%#$ program from auto-starting.

The other thing about Skype is that there doesn't appear to be a "Quit" or "Exit" option. Do any of you use Skype? Once you fire it up, does it stay fired up until you turn off the computer?

[cordex]

The other thing about Skype is that there doesn't appear to be a "Quit" or "Exit" option. Do any of you use Skype? Once you fire it up, does it stay fired up until you turn off the computer?

Right click on the icon in the task bar and there is a choice to "Quit Skype".

[BobR]

Right click on the icon in the taskbar, it will bring up the option to quit. (too late )

You can always uninstall it.


bob

[Hawkmoon]

Don't want to uninstall it, because there may come a day when I want (or need) to use it. I'm happy just not having it start itself up whenever I fire up the computer.

Funny, I thought I had tried right clicking the task tray, but maybe not.

[mtnbkr]

Open Regedit:

Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\

Remove entry for Skype.  
I have Skype installed and the key looks like (all one line, no wrapping): "Skype     REG_SZ   "C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /minimized /regrun

There may be a similar entry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ but the first one will only affect the user account that is currently logged in.  The 2nd path will affect the entire system.  There may not be an entry under the 2nd one, but I have seen programs place a startup command in both or one or the other.  For the record, Skype does not have the 2nd entry on my system.

Chris

[Phantom Warrior]

The simplest method I use to remove almost any program that runs on startup is as follows. 

Press Windows Key + R. 
Type "msconfg" into the box that pops up and press Enter.
In the "System Configuration" window that opens select the "Startup" tab.
Uncheck anything you don't want to run on startup.

I have Skype installed but the box is unchecked and I never see it on startup.

[lee n. field]

I can't find anything that looks like a "STARTUP" folder.

Win 7 buried the all users start menu "startup".  Still there, but hard to find and manipulate directly.

Does anyone know where Windows 7 hides the programs that start by themselves, and how I can deactivate autostart without remving the program entirely?

Lots of places, unfortunately.  But, BobR's idea seems best -- look for an option in Skype's "preferences" menu. 

[Hawkmoon]

I found MSCONFIG to be easier for me.

Thanks for all the suggestions. It seems there are still multiple avenues to the same objective hiding in Windoze.

[zxcvbob]

CCleaner has a nice interface for disabling autostart programs w/o deleting them.  It collects them all in one menu (there are multiple ways a program can start itself at powerup or signon)

https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

I use it on all my computers to clear temp files, buff up the registry, etc.

[BobR]

^^^^^

Nice to know, I use CCleaner but never knew that was there.

bob