Seek 3rd party 'Startup Manager' for Windows XP

Hi Everyone. Happy Holidays!

I'm (still) running Windows XP and have AVG 9 Free , SpySweeper , and AusLogics BootSpeed but now need a good 'Startup Management' utility to help improve system boot up speed. One of particular interest is WinPatrol because in addition to startup management, it also offers a security monitoring different than SpySweeper provides. Anybody have experience with WinPatrol? I'm interested in hearing what other members use/recommend for a startup manager(other than the rather limited one thats included with Windows XP). Thanks. - Scott

Hi Scott,
I'm using WinPatrol and have been very happy with it.
Good for sorting your startup sequence and for preventing other programs from entering themselves into the startup. Also informed me of some background programs I wasn't aware of and generally keeps a good watch on what's happening.
Tony

Hi Scott,
Season's Greetings to you.
The "Winpatrol" app looks neat.
How different is it , I wonder from what is already within your Windows XP....
if you type in 'services.msc' in the "run" box of your PC something very similar is reachable....

Hi Tony, thanks for the valuable input. Do you recommend upgrading to 'WinPatrol Plus' or simply using the free version?

Hi Eddie, I don't know the way 'services.msc' works , but in addition to WinPatrol's 'heuristic behavior' type security monitor, it offers far greater startup set customability than the WindowsXP built in startup mgr.

Scott

Hello Scott,
At the moment, I'm still using the free version of WinPatrol - seems to meet my needs for the time being.
I would think that the paid for version does far more but I shall be getting a new computer within the next couple of months and, if I decide to upgrade, I may well upgrade at that time.
I once tried services.msc which, as Eddie says, does something similar but I like WinPatrol's front end which makes it so easy to use.
Tony

Hi Tony
If you’re having a new computer then it should come with Windows 7. (Assuming a PC)
(Don’t let then try to fob you off with Vista as it is total crap)
The start-up manager in Windows 7 is available from Control Panel and leaves the XP version for dead. (Its security features for program detection is also way up there)
My advice therefore, is don’t upgrade to the paid for version of WinPatrol until you have seen what Windows 7 provides.
Hope this helps

Bill

Thanks Anthony and Scott...you both make valid points.
I will try the free version and see what I think.
cheers for the link.
Eddie

Ok. I was also recommended to checkout a program dedicated solely to STARTUP MANAGEMENT called Absolute Startup Manager , of which provides a full 'description' of what each of your startup files actually does, plus tells you which ones essential to remain enabled, and which ones can be safely disabled. Does WinPatrol include the above?

Absolute Startup also allows you to create custom 'startup sets'. I assume WinPatrol does as well.

I realize Absolute Startup isn't free but its got a 21 day fully functioning free trial, then $29.95 to purchase it if you like it.

Anybody here use/recommend Absolute Startup for people running Windows XP?

Scott

Hi Bill,
Thanks for the info & advice - I actually put off buying a new computer until Windows 7 appeared because I was determined not to have Vista after reading so many adverse reports.
Win 7 sounds pretty good (according to the users - & not just Microsoft, which is the important bit) and I'm looking forward to using it.

I have heard of problems with some programs in Win 7 64 bit and I do think Microsoft should make all the details a little clearer and also include their XP compatability download to users of Win 7 Home Premium - the PC which I'm looking at comes with Home premium 64 bit so that's the only thing which is making me hesitate at the moment.
Tony

Hi Scott,
Have never come across Absolute Startup Manager before.

Can tell you that Winpatrol does give info on all the programs in startup but the info is rather limited unless you have the paid-for version. Don't know whether you are aware that there are also hidden startup programs which WinPatrol does disclose.
You can alter your startup set with WinPatrol but, as far as I know, you can't create different custom startup sets with the free version.
Besides the startup (& hidden startup programs) are you aware of all the services which are running in the background - again, these can be looked at with Windows Task Manager but, on XP, it's pretty basic.

As I shall shortly be moving on to Windows 7, I will no doubt manage with the Win 7 startup manager (thanks to Bill's timely advice) but have been glad of Winpatrol in the meantime.
Tony

Since I too plan to upgrade to Windows7 sooner (Jan 2010) than later, I'll take your lead and utilize the free version of WinPatrol until then. Thanks everyone for all the advice and recommendations. - Scott

@ Tony
I trust you have tested your Computer capabilities for Windows 7?
You can get the windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from MS...it is advisable!
In my case, it told me that several of my programmes will need updating and some will not work at all with Windows 7.
cheers
Eddie

Hi Eddie,
Thanks for the warning but I'm buying a new computer rather than installing Windows 7 on this one.
I already expected that some of my programs (which I cannot manage without) will not run on Windows 7 so, with that in mind, I am moving my present computer to the spare bedroom and keeping it for as long as it's needed, so that I can continue to use my old programs when necessary and also have a spare to use for when my other half takes over the one in the lounge.

I do wish that Microsoft would make more effort with "compatibility Modes" - it's a real pain when you want or need to upgrade but have important (to me, anyway) software which may not run on the new machine.

I might run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor anyway, to give me an idea of how many of my programs I can move over and how many will have to be replaced eventually - thanks again for the tip.
Best wishes,
Tony

Sorry to change the path a bit..but Bill, am I the only one that prefers Vista over XP?
Can you email me about the negatives that I am apparently not aware of?

I find Vista to be a better file search, and literally all my programs run smoother on Vista..I also have fewer if any conflicts with drivers for soft synths with Vista..

I have heard many folks down Vista, but in all honesty it is better than my other 4 PC's running XP professional...What am I missing?..

Hey Fran,

It's all good.

Just think of Windows 7 as Vista w/SP3.

(which a lot of folks do think of it as)

True story....Vista in Microsoft talk is Internal Version number 6. Windows 7 is Internal Version number 6.1.

But I gotta say, we are loving Windows 7 here on campus. We jumped from XP to Windows 7 and we ain't lookin' back.


-mike

Hi Tony,
I changed my PC last year for my AMD Athlon Dual Core 3800 and kept my older one for "experimenting"!
Anything I am not sure about I try out first on the old one and if it goes through OK, then I add it to my new one!
I sometimes spend best part of a day just trying out new downloads on the old one looking for possible problems.
My spare bedroom hasn't got enough room for the old one, it's so full of gear I bought long ago, no longer use, but can't bring myself to take it to the tip!
I count myself a TRUE Yorkshireman (with just a little scottish blood)
cheers