05-29-2008, 01:11 PM

When you install something on a Windows PC typically that program will load when windows loads... and this sucks... thankfully there is a tool called msconfig where you can disable programs from loading... w/out it I literally have about a dozen programs launch as soon as I turn on my pc adding literally 45seconds-2 minutes to load up time.

When a program is installed on a mac does something similar happen where they launch automatically? If so is there a tool to disable it?

Thanks

05-29-2008, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by zman2408

When you install something on a Windows PC typically that program will load when windows loads... and this sucks... thankfully there is a tool called msconfig where you can disable programs from loading... w/out it I literally have about a dozen programs launch as soon as I turn on my pc adding literally 45seconds-2 minutes to load up time.

When a program is installed on a mac does something similar happen where they launch automatically? If so is there a tool to disable it?

Thanks

No msconfig, but with a little learning and searching you can see and remove startup items very easily.

Click on the Macintosh HD icon which resides on your desktop. That will open to a dialog containing folders. Click on the folder named "Library".

Next dialog that opens will show a folder named "StartupItems". Click that to open it and you should be able to see what's starting. Removing items from that folder will stop the application or utility, whatever, from starting. Just be careful what you remove since some applications will not work correctly if they don't start when the system boots up.

Also check your user Login items from System Preferences -> Accounts -> Login Items, as these will vary by user.

Regards.

05-29-2008, 01:27 PM

You don't need a tool, if you go to System Preferences> Accounts> Login Items you should be able to do it from there. If it's open or on the dock you can also ctrl+click and select/deselect Open At Login.

05-29-2008, 02:36 PM

Most (99%) applications don't run at startup by default; just system apps that need to (the services behind Time Machine, Spotlight etc.), and things like font management software, 3rd party firewalls, "helper" programs (things that just sit there and wait for something to happen, like plugging in a USB source, before doing anything) and drivers.

You can select what does and doesn't launch when you login through the "Login Items" in your account preferences.

05-30-2008, 01:48 PM

I hate anything running at startup. I'm the kind of man that likes to do it myself.

05-30-2008, 03:58 PM

Same here. It's amazing how many things on Windows are set to load on startup by default. I always have to go back after installing a new program to ensure that it won't automatically load the next time that I login to Windows. Not so much a Windows problem, just the software developer.

05-30-2008, 06:42 PM

Reflexively, I still check my login items after most software installs, to be sure they haven't loaded a login item. I guess I used Windows for too long. I am USED to bad software. Happily this doesn't happen much on Macs.

I LOVE my Mac!!