Long startup times getting you down? Slow boot times giving you the blues? Computer taking a millennia to get going? Well you need to change what starts when you reach your desktop for the first time (your startup routine). In this article I'm going to show you how to it.

The most important part of this whole process is a little tool called msconfig. This application allows us to tell our computers what to load up when we log on. To access this program click the start button, then click run and type in msconfig.

Click OK and you will be presented with the msconfig screen.

I wouldn't recommend changing any settings on this tab. Instead, click on the "Startup" tab. The very last on one the right.

In this part of the program you can view what items will\will not startup when you boot up your computer. You can also change whether or not they'll startup. As you can see, I have programs like Skype and Ultramon start up when I log in, as well as services like AVG updates (avgcc). You can scroll down to see all the services or applications that are currently told NOT to startup on login.

Let's try turning something on for startup. I'm going to choose to turn "Comrade" back on for my boot sequence. All I have to do is, simply, put a tick in the box.

Not hard at all, is it. Make sure to hit apply once you've made your choices. Upon hitting "OK" you'll be presented with this message (if you've changed something).

I, personally, always choose "Exit Without Restart" as I'm not going to be affected by the new startup regime until I next boot up anyway.

After changing the sequence to your liking and booting up again, you will be presented with a message confirming that you've made some changes in msconfig. This message will appear every time you reach your desktop, after powering up your machine, unless you put a tick in the box and click OK. I'm sure you don't need a picture for that.

I hope my how-to has helped you get rid of the slow-load-blues.