<Back   Main   Geektionary   Buy   Go To Web Support>
What Is A Startup Change
Windows has several places that programs can be set to run when Windows starts. A new program has appeared in one of those locations.

This new startup item may be perfectly correct and part of a program you just installed or a result of a change you made. But it could also be a Scoundrel or other un-necessary program you really don't want to start every time Windows runs.

Look at the Details on the previous window. It shows some information about the file such as the location, publisher, etc. to help you decide if it is a good or bad change. If a lot of the information is blank, that is suspicious!

Even if you reject this startup change, you can easily add it back later using Geek Superhero's Startup Editor on the Tools tab.

Check the "Remember" box to reject or accept this without having to ask you if the same entry ever appears again.


Some Red Flags: There are a few things that are very suspicious if they are being started when Windows starts. Geek Superhero will have an extra warning for these items in the Details on the previous window.

  • If REGEDIT.EXE or a .REG file is being run when your computer starts, that is very strange and suspicious. Those files will edit your Registry--where Windows stores all the information for all the settings about your computer. A malicous program might reset your browser's home page with a .REG file that was set to run every time your computer starts. So no matter how often you fix it, it gets changed again when you reboot!