Startup Program Group or Startup folders:

Editing this area is easy to do.  The Startup folder is located in the Start Menu. 

Click your start button.  Under Programs (all Programs in XP) look for the folder called Startup.

All items in the Startup Folder will start when your computer is started or when you log into your program.

If you are unsure what something is in this folder, try right-clicking on it and choose "Properties".  Information in this window may help you identify what it is.  The Target file is telling you where the program is located. Sometimes the path (what is in the target field) can give you clues.

Removing something from the startup folder.

Hover your mouse over anything that is in the Startup folder.  To remove it, right-click on the item you want to remove.  Choose delete.

This will remove the item from the startup folder.  Since you are already logged into your PC, you will have to reboot to start the PC without those items already loaded into memory. 

In some cases, an item may return on it's own.  This is usually something malicious and can not be removed by removing it from startup alone.  See the other categories on this page.

Using explorer.exe to inspect  and edit startup folders:

Windows 95/98:

%windows directory%\All Users\Main menu\Programs\StartUp\ - for all users

%windows directory%\Main menu\Programs\StartUp\ - for current user

With Windows NT/2000/XP:

\\Documents and Settings\Admin\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\ - for current user

\\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\ for all users

NOTE: Programs may also be loaded from the [Load] or [Run] sections of your WIN.INI file, found in the Windows directory.