Optimize Windows Startup

Review Potentially Unwanted Startup Programs

This screen displays a list of potentially unwanted startup programs, and then you decide which items to turn off or keep on.

Classifications and details are displayed for all potentially unwanted startup programs.

Startup programs are classified as follows:

Dangerous - Known security risks that hinder the normal operation of your PC. These files typically account for viruses or any other processes which may cause harm. Turning off dangerous items is highly recommended.
Unnecessary - Not essential to the normal operation of your PC. These files are typically running to provide quick access to various programs but may inadvertently clutter and slow your system. Disabling unnecessary items is recommended.
User Choice (potentially unwanted) - May or may not be essential to the normal operation of your PC, depending on your needs. These files are typically running as part of programs or tasks initiated with or without your explicit approval. Disabling User Choice items is personal preference.

The following details are displayed for each startup program:

Name - The name of the program.
Publisher - The creator or distributor of the program.
Location - Directory location of the program (displays when View>Display extended program details is selected).
Startup Type - Categorization of the startup program (displays when View>Display extended program details is selected).
iolo Labs research - Additional information gathered by iolo Labs researchers about the program.
Measured performance impact - A status representing how much the program is affecting the PC's performance at startup. Possible statuses range from No tangible impact to Potential full system freeze.
User community results - The tendency of other System Mechanic users to keep the program on or turn it off. (More on user community results)

There are two methods of filtering results:

Clicking the View button will display a drop-down menu with the following options:

Show User choice programs - Makes programs classified as User Choice visible.
Show programs previously turned off - Makes programs that have previously been turned off visible.
Show programs previously kept on - Makes programs that have previously been kept on visible
Display extended program details - Displays Location and Startup Type details for all programs.
Expand all program descriptions - Makes the complete iolo Labs research text visible for all programs.
Collapse all program descriptions - Returns iolo Labs research text to a minimized view.

Clicking the Sort button will display a drop-down menu with the following options:

Sort by current status - Sorts results by status within their classification groups. The statuses are, default (no action taken), Turned off, Will be kept on, and To be decided later.
Sort by performance impact - Sorts results by measured performance impact from highest to lowest.
Sort by program name - Sorts results alphabetically within their classification groups.
Sort by iolo Labs classification - Sorts results by iolo Labs program classification, from most dangerous to least.

For each startup program, either keep it on, turn it off, or decide later by clicking one of the corresponding action buttons.

Keep it on - The program will not be disabled and will no longer appear in scans as a potentially unwanted startup item. To undo this action click Undo.
Turn it off - The item will be disabled and will no longer start when Windows boots. To undo this action click Turn it back on.
Decide later - The item will not be disabled, but will continue to appear in scans as potentially unwanted. To undo this action click Cancel.

To turn a previously disabled startup program back on,

Click View, then ensure that the Show programs previously turned off option is selected.
Locate the program you wish to turn back on and click Turn it back on.

When you are finished, click Exit on the bottom of the screen to close the wizard.