[TeMerc]

I just read the 'Clip & Save' in the November issue of PC World.

It touched on removing things off the PC very much like the entire article of 'Junkbusters'.

My question is why would you guys tell users to go into MSCONFIG to manage start ups, when one of your 100 Best Products and your tool of the month for June was WinPatrol? Certainly WP is a far easier and foolproof method to curb unwanted start ups. Using MSCONFIG runs the slight danger of users ticking an incorrect box here or there, not to mention maybe even hitting another tab by mistake altogether.

And that's not even to touch on all the other neat things WP does, now even watching your windows automatic update settings as well. I think the author made an error in not linking WP or perhaps some of the many fine other start up control apps out there, such as Mike Lins Start Up Control Panel.

JMHO.

[ddms70]

I always use msconfig. Its quick, already there, and easy to use. There are many effective options in windows like that, which don't require you to search for and download other programs, not knowing if they will work or not. I find that windows, once properly set up, doesn't need very many other programs/utilities at all, in order to function, but I will go thru xp for several hours after a fresh install and set it up to my liking, changing it from a fairly good OS, to a very fast, reliable and efficient one. People are surprised in the differences a few hours can make.

[mphenterprises]

Hi DDMS. I think what TeMerc is saying, correct me if I am wrong, is that MSCONFIG is easy for those who know how to use it. However, for those that don't, it can mean a crippling consequence if something is not done correctly, comparable to messing with the registry. I personally have never used WinPatrol and always use MSCONFIG but I definitely see his or her point.

[ddms70]

Yes, I assumed that as well. I prefer making changes myself instead of adding several different programs which can make their own changes, but may actually slow down your pc because you've got all these extra programs which are now running, lol. I'd assume that at least half of pc users have never even heard of msconfig, regedit, ipconfig, boot.ini, etc., let alone know how to use these tools. I think that THE BEST tool is google.

[lilxkid24]

If you have no clue what your doing you might as well have WinPatrol do it for you but if you know what to do then msconfig is easier and you can customize it to however you like.

[TeMerc]

While I con curr with all about using MSCONFIG for those who are a bit more experienced in rummaging around their PCs, I suspect most do not have that level of experience and a magazine of this magnitude ought to offer another way to manage start ups, one that does not have users going into a potential mind field.

[mphenterprises]

Good point. This magazine is a primary source of information for those that do not know how to, or choose not to, find information on their own. The majority of us that use this forum on a regular basis may only use the magazine as a research tool. However, those who come on here only when there is a problem may have no other avenue upon which to turn.

The earliest edition of PCWorld magazine I have is July 2006. In all, I may have cracked upon all of these issues maybe a handful of times. I definitely see your point, TeMerc. If you really want to impress WinPatrol on the editors of PCWorld, write to them directly. I think the email address is pcwletters @ pcworld .com. At the very least, someone may look into it.

[lilxkid24]

:^0my primary source is wikipedia and google and learning on my own lol

[Flashorn]

Hey Everyone! Yes,I must agree that MSCONFIG is easy to use once you've learned how, but I also use WINPATROL(the paid version).It has so much more to offer not to mention the ease of use for ANYONE.You can get rid of all the cookies or just the ones you don't want,plus all the info that their web page offers on all the running processes on your PC. An easy way to learn about your own PC.



Flashorn.