Skype and other programs open at startup

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I can’t seem to stop Skype opening at startup or at least to open minimized. This is what happened until several weeks ago. I’ve gone through the Vista software startup panel and unchecked Skype but no dice.
This may be something connected to another problem about an unwanted startup. The Windows Explorer replacement xplorer2 also opens at startup and I can’t find anywhere using both the Vista software startup panel or msconfig that even lists this as a startup item.
Any ideas.

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Look in option in Skype.

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Already looked there, but nothing I do there helps. What would you have me do? What option should I choose?

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Already looked there, but nothing I do there helps. What would you have me do? What option should I choose?

Sorry I cant give exact wording, I only had it on for a short time but I think its to do with auto sign in.

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Skype -> Tools -> Options

BATcher

Plethora means a lot to me.

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There are 3 places in the registry where apps are set to start as Windows starts: note: backup the registry before making changes. Be very careful to select only those keys I have shown. Type Regedit in search or run boxes (depending on which version of Windows you are using)

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindows|CurrentVersionRun Delete any keys to programs you do not want to start at Windows Start Up.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindows|CurrentVersionRun Delete any keys to programs you do not want to start at Windows Start Up.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindows|CurrentVersionRun Delete any keys to programs you do not want to start at Windows Start Up.

[/color]Start Up programs also are loaded through the Start Orb, All Programs, Start You can elliminate any apps you do not want to start when Windows starts. As an example, I have only my AV/AM app (MSE) and my Alps Touchpad app for my laptop. Everything else is prevented from starting until I choose to start them. Apps do not have to be running in the background to start quickly when needed.

BATcher shows the way to stop Skype, but these methods will allow you to quickly stop anything you do not want in it’s tracks.

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There are 3 places in the registry where apps are set to start as Windows starts…

And the rest, Ted! (although admittedly those are the main ones).

Running the inimitable Mark Russinovich’s Autoruns utility gives you a huge amount of information about which programs and services get started at boot time and at logon time.

For those who require less detail, Microsoft’s MSCONFIG (via Start -> Run -> type MSCONFIG in the box and press Enter; or otherwise) gives visibility of some of the above information, together with the facility to disable the startup via the tick box of a program next time round.
This is probably a safer program for the unconfident user, rather than making direct changes to the registry.

And, as I always say, “Other fine startup information programs are available!”

BATcher

Plethora means a lot to me.

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Thanks very much to you all.
I tried to eliminate things through autoruns. Didn’t work.
I tried to do the same through msconfig. Didn’t work.
I have not gone the registry keys route you suggest Ted, yet.
What seems to have so far worked is to use a program called Soluto, something recommended at Window Secrets, to stop Skype at startup.
But I did this very same Soluto fix earlier, and the problem came back. But as I say, things are working through this Soluto fix, so far.
What I would like best of all is for something that used to happen, Skype opening at startup, but opening minimized. It’s opening at startup maximized is an irritation I can do without.
So that is the followup query, does anyone know how to get Skype to run at startup but in a minimized fashion.
Thanks again.

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Ted and all,
Well, the ugly Skype startup problem reared its head again.
I now have edited the registry keys as you suggested, and after two reboots, and two manual openings of Skype (I conjectured that just opening Skype would make it reset its startup urges) the problem seems to have disappeared.

I deleted registry entries in the first two places in the registry that you recommended but I could not find the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindows|CurrentVersionRun Delete any keys to programs you do not want to start at Windows Start Up.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Thank you again.

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Ted and all,
Well, the ugly Skype startup problem reared its head again.
I now have edited the registry keys as you suggested, and after two reboots, and two manual openings of Skype (I conjectured that just opening Skype would make it reset its startup urges) the problem seems to have disappeared.

I deleted registry entries in the first two places in the registry that you recommended but I could not find the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindows|CurrentVersionRun Delete any keys to programs you do not want to start at Windows Start Up.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Thank you again.

I should have mentioned that this key will only be present in a 64 Bit environment. You evidently have a 32 Bit OS. Glad it worked.

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You can imagine how frustrated I am that Skype has once again raised it’s ugly head, despite the registry fixes. I am assuming that turning it on manually resets the startup load even though the Skype options page does not show wanting to load Skype at startup. I go back to the registry and there it is once again. What can be causing this?

Do you have any idea at least of how to get Skype to start up in minimized form?

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Do you have any idea at least of how to get Skype to start up in minimized form?

Did you contact Skype for help ?

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I can’t find anything about this on their forum but after searching for minutes I found a way to send them an email. I will inform all if they answer.

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To avoid unwanted startup programs from insinuating themselves onto your system without your knowledge, try WinPatrol by BillP Studios – WinPatrol. I’ve been using it for a long time, with great results. It’s unobtrusive, extremely low resource usage, with fabulous support, and the basic version is free. WinPatrol does a bunch of things, but what I like best is that it monitors all the various places where new startup programs might be put, warns you each time there is an attempt to add a new one, and lets you choose whether to allow it. If you’re not familiar with the program that is trying to get added, you can (if you have paid $30 for the PLUS version) click a link to an online description of the program with a recommendation on whether it is safe and/or necessary to add. WinPatrol is on my short list of required software for any Windows system. For the record, despite how it might sound, I have no personal stake in BillP Studios or WinPatrol other than as a satisfied user.

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Just wanted to add my ‘+1’ to Rodd’s post regarding WinPatrol! I have used it with great success on our computers to control unwanted services and startup programs.

Regards,
Brian

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Skype opens in startup. I have searched the net to change it to manual. in http://aphasiacorner.com/blog/computer-tips/skype-settings-979 he gives some options. He instucts to click option>general settings>double click when the call comes like that. I tried. But general settings is not available and not coming out. Now I simply uninstall the skype which is a nuisance and a bad relative or a good virus.36609-skype-manual-opening:confused:

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Skype opens in startup. I have searched the net to change it to manual. in http://aphasiacorner.com/blog/computer-tips/skype-settings-979 he gives some options. He instucts to click option>general settings>double click when the call comes like that. I tried. But general settings is not available and not coming out. Now I simply uninstall the skype which is a nuisance and a bad relative or a good virus.36609-skype-manual-opening:confused:

after a headache of one hour I have crossed one idea given by a friend uninstall the programme and then reinstall and remove the click in the option column which tells opens automatically like that. but when you click the language column it comes over the line below it and the option column is not visible. that is the reason for that we are inadvertendly allow the skype automatically. Skype must help us that the default option is not automatic open and asking us to click the option it self. when I search in google skype manual option some 20,700,000 entries are there most of them are weebing that skype comes inside without our concern. so skype will do the option column open without any default option.:rolleyes:

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Here’s how I control Skype and other programs from running at Startup. I download Software Explorers.
(Windows Defender comes with it, but I disable its scans.
I can’t do away with its updates, though).
SE shows up in Control Panel (I’m on XP). Opening SE from Control Panel gives a menu from which you can select “remove” or “disable”.
It works for me. Good luck.

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Try uninstalling Skype, run a registry cleaner, then reinstall the program. You may also try using the portable version (PortableApps.com) on your system or thumb drive which I use frequently with no probs.

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Thanks all. I wish your suggestions helped. I’ve tried all.

WinPatrol. WinPatrol was a program I used right from the beginning. It is a program I have been using for a long time. But unfortunately, it too became a problem at more or less the same time that Skype began giving me all this trouble. It would try to load a double copy of itself, asking my permission to do so. I was in touch with Bill P about this and he suggested a fix–I think he implied that others had had the same problem–but the fix did not work. I tried many things, un- and reinstalling the program but nothing I could figure out worked, so unfortunately I had to uninstall the program for good. (You should all know that both on my netbook, Skype opens minimized and WinPatrol works just fine.)

The fact that WinPatrol and Skype became problems at more or less the same time suggests that there is something installed or corrupted in some essential file. I have run scans with both Microsoft Windows Essentials and Malaware Anti-Malware and neither turns up any malware that might be responsible.

I did write to Skype and after one recommendation that did not work, they suggested I install the Skype 5 beta. Skype Beta does not solve the problem. Yes, I can, after eliminating the Skype files through the registry, open the computer without Skype opening at Startup, but once I manually open Skype, the next time the computer boots is Skype opens automatically despite as the check boxes being unchecked

As to using Software Explores. I can get to the same files by using Autoruns, or a program called Soluto, or by manually deleting the registry keys, so I don’t think I need this way of finding the files.

I remain stymied and will so far have to live with the problem.

Thanks again for your wonderful help. The Lounge is great.

Haskel

As to

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Can you post the a screenshot of the contents of the Logon tab from Autoruns?

Joe

--Joe

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I agree that you may have OS issues. I would recommend that you run a Windows File System check. This has been around a long time and info online describes its use. Install a registry cleaner and run that. CrapCleaners is probably one of the less instrusive. Set a Restore point first. With the inception of Vista/7 the option of Restore Points now exists. Always set one before installing anything; ie Skype.

If you’re really ambitious use a program to perform an image backup periodically like I do. With Win7 you no longer have to buy the software to do that. If anything happens just restore the image. I have a second HDD or partition to save the images to so I can easily locate and restore them. GAOTD gives away free partition managers if you need to create one. When you have a gazillion programs installed over several years the last thing you want to do is spend a week reinstalling the OS and restoring them after a major collapse. With the cheap monster drives of today there’s no reason you can’t have several recent images sitting ready for use. Also learn to keep a log of your computer activities; software install, config changes, image backups, etc… It’ll save you a lot of grief.

Take preventative measures or plan to schedule weekends to wet nurse the machine that’s supposed to make our lives easier.

Hope this is some help

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If you uninstall and re-install watch when the installation starts..
There is a place that asks if you want it to start when Windows start.. untick it..
Good Luck

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Thank you but I’ve tried and it doesn’t work in my case.

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Install CCleaner (free) and use the Start Options panel under Tools. Delete or Disable any start up entries that you don’t want to be initialized at Boot.

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Before I disabled it this is where Skype was starting up:

This should be in your user registry : HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun

Name Type Data

Skype REG_SZ “C:Program FilesSkypePhoneSkype.exe” /nosplash /minimized

At least that is where it is in XP Pro.

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Just a point, was Skype ‘Online’ or ‘Offline’ when you shutdown? If you shutdown whilst Skype is still online then it will load automatically on next reboot, regardless of whether you have used Skype Tools to unclick ‘Start Skype when I start Windows’. It is always advisable to select ‘Offline’ before shutdown.

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I use the “Skype” plug-in (extension) for my browser. It is always minimized and accessible that way. Hope this helps.

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I use CC Cleaner’s start up options and I don’t have a problem. I always have to start Skype myself. I’m running Vista 32 bit home premium.

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I’ve had the problem where a program that used to startup minimized suddenly started showing a window. Turned out that it was getting started twice – the first time it would load minimized, and the second time caused it to show a window. This came about in my case because I’m using “Startup Delayer” to manage the order and timing of my startup programs. For the programs it manages it removes their link from the usual places and launches them itself. When one of those programs was updated it re-established the original link, which resulted in it getting launched twice.

I use Skype, and in fact it’s one of the things I have Startup Delayer manage. I have the “start with windows” option off because I’m letting Startup Delayer do the launching. Skype starts up minimized and logs in without any problem, and I leave it online constantly even when I’m shutting down.

The fact that WinPatrol told you that it was being started twice suggests that you have a similar problem, it’s just a matter of figuring out why things are getting started twice. It was nice of WinPatrol to tell you: other programs may just quietly load two copies, or ignore the duplicate request, or open a new window – whatever the developer thought made sense.

Sorry I can’t give any suggestions for fixing it, but perhaps this can help you look in the right places.

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I’ve had the problem where a program that used to startup minimized suddenly started showing a window. Turned out that it was getting started twice – the first time it would load minimized, and the second time caused it to show a window. This came about in my case because I’m using “Startup Delayer” to manage the order and timing of my startup programs. For the programs it manages it removes their link from the usual places and launches them itself. When one of those programs was updated it re-established the original link, which resulted in it getting launched twice.

I use Skype, and in fact it’s one of the things I have Startup Delayer manage. I have the “start with windows” option off because I’m letting Startup Delayer do the launching. Skype starts up minimized and logs in without any problem, and I leave it online constantly even when I’m shutting down.

The fact that WinPatrol told you that it was being started twice suggests that you have a similar problem, it’s just a matter of figuring out why things are getting started twice. It was nice of WinPatrol to tell you: other programs may just quietly load two copies, or ignore the duplicate request, or open a new window – whatever the developer thought made sense.

Sorry I can’t give any suggestions for fixing it, but perhaps this can help you look in the right places.

uninstall the programme and then reinstall and remove the click in the option column. I am successful in that method. but when you click the language column it comes over the line below it and the option column is not visible. that is the reason for that we are inadvertendly allow the skype automatically. Skype must help us that the default option is not automatic open and asking us to click the option it self

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