Software

Add/Remove Programs

Background:

Most modern programs you install on your Windows® system register themselves in the Add/Remove Programs application so that you can remove them from your system later if you want to. Due to bugs in the system this list sometimes includes "broken" entries that only display an error message when you select them and entries for programs that have already been removed from your system.

Windows® itself doesn't provide any facilities for deleting these annoying obsolete entries. The Software function in StartUp Tuner lets you delete them. In addition to this experienced users can also edit the names and command lines of the entries to control their functionality.

Hidden entries:

There is another reason why the Software function of StartUp Tuner can be very useful: Some of the entries in the Add/Remove Programs list are hidden, i.e. they are not displayed in the Add/Remove Programs module in the Windows® Control Panel! This is often the case with spyware programs, but it also applies to some system entries as well.

Using the functions:

The contents of the Add/Remove Programs list are shown in the large window in the Add/Remove Program List screen:

Deleting entries:

Just select the entry in the list and then click on the Delete Entry button. Proceed with care - this action cannot be reversed!

Editing entries:

Select the entry in the list and edit the details in the Name and Command Line fields. When you have made your changes click on the Save Edits button. For experienced users only!

Cautions

Deleting entries: Don't delete an entry unless you're sure that it's obsolete - for example after getting an error message when trying to remove a program with the entry in Add/Remove Programs, or if you're certain that the associated program has already been deleted from your system.

Editing entries: Changing the name of an entry is not risky but please don't try to edit the command lines unless you are absolutely sure that you know what you are doing! Mistakes can have unpredictable results - at the very least you can make the entry unusable! This function is intended for experienced users only!