MSCONFIG - get control of your startup programs
notes from ClifNotes, updated May 2006
If you've never heard of MSCONFIG you might have a bloated PC. MSCONFIG is a small utility from Microsoft that's already installed on most Windows PC's. Using msconfig to take control of your PC is a great idea if you start noticing that it takes longer and longer for your PC to start up. NetSquirrel.com has a terrific tutorial I'd like to share with all of you.
Quote from the website
Most people know that the more programs you have running on your computer at once, the more likely it is that your computer will either run slowly or even crash. What most people don't know is that every time you boot your computer a whole mess of "hidden" programs load in the background. Some of these hidden programs are essential, but most aren't. Turning off some of these hidden programs can significantly increase your computer's performance and reliability.
See the MSCONFIG Tutorial