Some software programs you install, such as antivirus or backup software, are configured as startup programs. As the name implies, startup programs run in the background and start automatically when you log on. You can view the currently configured startup programs using Software Explorer. Software Explorer also allows you to enable, disable, or remove startup programs.
Viewing your startup programs
You can open Software Explorer and view your startup programs by completing the following steps:
Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Defender.
On the Windows Defender toolbar, click Tools and then click Software Explorer.
In Software Explorer, the Startup Programs option is selected in the Category list by default. When you click a program in the left pane, details about the program’s configuration are displayed in the right pane, as shown in Figure 4-12.
Figure 4-12. Viewing your startup programs
Table 4-2 provides a summary of the configuration details for startup programs.
Table 4-2. Overview of configuration details for startup programs
Configuration aspect
Description
Classification
Lists the classification of the executable file as either permitted or not permitted
Date Installed
Lists the date and time that the file was installed
Description
Lists a description of the application
Digitally Signed By
Lists the company that digitally signed the program’s executable file
Display Name
Lists the application name that Windows Vista uses
File Name
Lists the executable filename
File Path
Lists the complete file path to the executable file
File Size
Lists the size of the executable file in bytes
File Type
Lists the type of file listed in the File Name field, such as whether a file is an application file or an application extension file
File Version
Lists the version and revision numbers of the executable file
Location
Lists the folder path where the startup program shortcut was created, or the Run registry key value
Publisher
Lists the company that published the software
Ships with Operating System
Lists whether the executable file ships with the operating system
Startup Type
Lists how you have configured the program to start automatically, such as whether the startup program is in the Startup folder for all users or is in your personal Startup folder
Startup Value
Lists the options or parameters passed to the program at startup
You can configure startup programs for your account specifically or for all users on your computer, depending on whether you installed a program only for your use or for all users. You have three options for managing startup programs. You can:
Disable automatic startup If you don’t want a program to start automatically when you log on, you can disable it. A disabled startup program will no longer run on startup.
Enable automatic startup If you previously disabled a startup program, you can change this by enabling the program to run at startup.
Remove If you no longer need a startup program or you want to prevent it from being enabled in the future, you can remove it.
Before you remove a startup program, you should first disable it. You should then restart your computer and determine whether there is any negative impact on your computer.
While you can enable, disable, and remove startup programs from your account and you may not need administrator permissions, you must have administrator permissions to manage startup programs configured for other, or all, users on your computer.
You can enable, disable, and remove startup programs by following these steps:
Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Defender.
On the Windows Defender toolbar, click Tools and then click Software Explorer.
In Software Explorer, the Startup Programs option is selected in the Category list by default. Click a startup program in the left pane.
If the program is configured as a startup program for your account, you can enable, disable, or remove it using the option buttons provided.
If the program is configured as a startup program for another user or for all users, the Remove, Disable, and Enable buttons will be dimmed so that you cannot select them. Before you can use these options, you must click “Show for all users,” and then provide consent or credentials when prompted.
If you are disabling or removing a startup program, you will need to confirm this when prompted by clicking Yes.
As Figure 4-13 shows, you view programs that are connecting to the local area network (LAN), the Internet, or both by selecting the Network Connected Programs option on the Category list in Software Explorer. In the Name list, programs are listed by name according to the software publisher. The process ID number of the main process under which the program is running follows the program name.
You can use Software Explorer to work with your network-connected programs in several ways. You can view details about a network-connected program’s configuration by clicking the program in the left pane. The details provided for Winsock service providers include similar details to running programs. Additional details you’ll see include:
Foreign Address Lists the remote Internet Protocol (IP) address and port number being used by a particular protocol (if any)
Local Address Lists the local IP address and port number being used by a particular protocol (if any)
Protocol Lists the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) being used by the program
State Lists the state of the port being used, such as whether it is listening for incoming requests
Figure 4-13. Viewing your network-connected programs
You can also use Software Explorer to stop or block incoming connections to a network-connected program. While you can view and work with network-connected programs you started, you must have administrator permission to view and work with network-connected programs started by other user or system accounts. To view network-connected programs for other users and the operating system, click “Show for all users.” When prompted, provide consent or credentials. You’ll then be able to view and work with all network-connected programs.
When you select a program or process in the left pane, you can terminate the process by clicking End Process and then clicking Yes when prompted to confirm the action. When you select a program and then click Block Incoming Connections, you can prevent network users from connecting to the program.
In Software Explorer, you view programs that are acting as local service providers for Winsock by selecting the Winsock Service Providers option in the Category list. In the Name list, Software Explorer lists Winsock providers by name according to the software publisher. The program name is followed by or includes the protocol the provider uses, such as TCP/IP.
When you select a local service provider, you can view that program’s configuration details in the right pane (see Figure 4-14. The details provided for Winsock service providers include similar details to running programs. Additional details you’ll see include:
LSP Type Lists the type of provider, such as Transport Provider
GUID Lists the Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) of the provider
Special Path Lists the device path the program is using for Winsock communications, if applicable
Figure 4-14. Viewing your local service providers
While you can view and work with local service providers started under your user account, you must have administrator permission to view and work with local service providers started by other user or system accounts. To view local service providers for other users and the operating system, click “Show for all users.” When prompted, provide consent or credentials. You’ll then be able to view and work with all local service providers.
In earlier versions of Windows, you use the Add/Remove Windows Components option of the Add or Remove Programs utility to add and remove operating system components. In Windows Vista, operating system components are considered Windows features that can be turned on and off rather than added and removed.
Table 4-3 provides a complete list of available Windows features and their uses. The table also denotes the default on or off state for Windows Vista editions that support the feature.
Table 4-3. Windows features
Windows feature
Description
Default configuration
ActiveX Installer Services
Enables the ActiveX Installer Services, which you can use to install software based on policy settings.
Off
Games
Enables the games included with the operating systems. You can select the Games option to install all available games, or expand the Games node to select individual games. Games available include Chess Titans, FreeCell, Hearts, Inkball, Mahjong Titans, Minesweeper, Purble Place, Solitaire, and Spider Solitaire.
On
Indexing Service
Windows Vista uses the Windows Search service for content indexing and property caching of documents. If you are using your computer to provide web server services, you can enable Indexing Services for backward compatibility with search features used in your web pages.
Off
Internet Information Services
Windows Vista includes Internet Information Services 7. You can use this option and its related suboptions to configure FTP, web, and application services.
On for partial subset
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0
Enables .NET Framework 3.0, a comprehensive framework for client-server communications over a network. Some features in the operating system require the related XPS viewer. If you install applications that require the Windows Communication Foundation APIs, you can enable the related options.
On for XPS Viewer
Microsoft Message Queue (MSMQ) Server
Enables a server service that allows queuing for web applications.
Off
Table 4-3. Windows featured (continued)
Windows feature
Description
Default configuration
Print Services
Enables network printing services. Use Internet Printing Client to enable your computer to use HTTP to connect to a web print server. Use LPD Print Ser-vice to enable your computer to work as a Line Printer Daemon and Remote Line Printer client. Use LPR Port Monitor to enable your computer to print to TCP/IP printers connected to a Unix server.
On for Internet Printing Client
Remote Differential Compression
Enables your computer to transfer the differences between two objects over the network. This option is used primarily with Group Policy and domain con-figurations to reduce network bandwidth usage.
On
Removable Storage Management
Enables management and cataloging of removable media. Also allows you to operate automated removable media devices, such as a tape library device.
Off
RIP Listener
Enables your computer to listen to route updates sent by routers that use Routing Information Proto-col Version 1 (RIPv1).
Off
Services for NFS
Enables your computer to participate in file sharing using the Network File Sharing (NFS) protocol. Use Client for NFS if your office network has NFS shares.
Off
Simple TCPIP Services
Enables simple TCP/IP services, such as echo and daytime. These services may open your computer to attack and are not recommended for use with Windows Vista.
Off
SNMP Feature
Enables Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agents that monitor the activity of network devices and create reports of this activity. Use Win-dows Imaging Format (WMI) SNMP Provider only if you are an administrator who uses SNMP adminis-tration tools for monitoring network activities.
Off
Tablet PC Optional Components
Enables optional components normally used with Tablet computers including the Input Panel, Snip-ping Tool, Sticky Notes, and Windows Journal.
On for Tablet PCs
Telnet Client
Enables your computer to connect to other comput-ers using Telnet.
Off
Telnet Server
Enables your computer to receive Telnet connections from other computers.
Off
TFTP Client
Enables your computer to connect to other comput-ers using TFTP.
Off
Windows DFS Replication Services
Enables your computer to replicate files to other computers and in this way keep your offline files in sync.
On
Windows Fax and Scan
Enables your computer to send, receive, and man-age faxes, and to scan and manage documents.
On
Table 4-3. Windows featured (continued)
Windows feature
Description
Default configuration
Windows Meeting Space
Enables Windows Meeting Space, which you can use for collaboration and virtual meetings.
On
Windows Process Activation Service
Installs the .NET environment, configuration APIs, and process model for the Windows Process Activa-tion Service.
On
Windows Ultimate Extras
Installs the extra programs for Windows Ultimate Edition.
On
You can turn Windows features on and off by following these steps:
Click Start -> Control Panel.
In the Control Panel, click Programs.
Click “Turn Windows features on or off.” This displays the Windows Features dialog box, as shown in Figure 4-15.
Figure 4-15.Turning Windows features on and off
To turn features on, select feature checkboxes. To turn features off, clear feature checkboxes.
When you click OK, Windows Vista reconfigures components as appropriate for any changes you’ve made. You may need your original installation media.
BrainDump 
Managing Software on Windows Vista
