It's common practice for companies to specifically note that you should close all "Running Application" ( APPS )before " Installing Software " to insure that Installation is made correctly.
Page Author also closes all applications Before running Defrag and or Scandisk. Author has found that closing applications results in Defrag and Scandisk software running more efficiently.
NOTE
Closing all applications before running Defrag and Scandisk necessitates that computer be " Re-started".
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For a computer to run Efficiently, the Computer "should" have Seventy Percent ( 70% )plus system resources available...free for use... when the computer is first booted (started). Resources will fluctuate as you open programs. To see the resources that the computer is using, start or re-start Windows. Click the "Start" Icon ( Lower left corner of the Desktop ) click on Run, type "MSCONFIG" in the "Run Box" and click "OK." When MSCONFIG opens, click "Help, About System Configuration Utility".
A percentage should appear. If the ( percentage )number shown is 70% or above, no further action ( steps ) are required, as the computer is in the efficient mode.
If the number is less than 70% after a fresh boot, then freeing up a few resources, is in order.
If you decide to free up resources,return to the msconfig window, click OK.
To reduce Resources click the "Startup" tab.
All applications set to run when windows has loaded (booted) will appear. These are "programs that will run constantly in the background". If you have installed various software... Utilities... System files, downloaded Firewall...Anti-Virus... Anti-Pop-Up...Scanner files or other,the List can be long.
If software evidenced (shown ) is not required to be loaded on boot( ie: Pop-up, Firewall,Scanner ) uncheck the item... From what the page authir has seen, most manufacturers instruct that "Anti-Virus" software be shut down "before" installing their software... Wordperfect preloads several files. If you don't think you will be using these at the time, remove the check mark and reboot. After you have made deletions to the startup group, re-check the resources by re-booting and following actions noted above. If the resources are still low, retrace your steps and see if there are other programs you can close.
Important Note If you are not sure what a particular file/program performs ( does ) it is best to leave it alone. If you are curious about the file/programs function you can make contact with the manufacturer of the computer or contact the "support" group of the software manufacturer to inquire "just how" important the file is to the operation of the computer and if it is absolutely necessary that it be loaded during boot up. If you don't get a "clear and satisfactory answer", leave the file/program alone.
Bill Krick has provided a much more detailed explanation and outline on "Reducing Resources"...Start-Up Listing and other. To visit his excellent site Click Here Be sure to Note the "Start-Up " software that are classified as "Spyware "... scroll down to center of page to listing
As a result of visiting Mr. Krick's site, I imposed and E_Mailed him a question regarding input that I had received that stated that the "Start-Up" could just be in the "Registry" and would not be visiable in Program/Start-Up. Mr. Krick responded with specific details that follow:
That is correct, there are registry keys...where startup information can reside.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
(Note that I am using Windows 98. Windows 2000 and XP may have separate
registry keys for each user/identity on the machine.These items are not in Start->Programs-Start-up as that is reserved for items that are started via a shortcut.
The registry is like a giant configuration file (like an .INI file from the
Windows 3.1 days) that holds information on all the installed programs on
your computer... except that it's gotten so large that it is actually
implemented as a sort of database now. There are actually Windows operating
system functions that applications have to call in order to make changes to
this giant database.
It is safe to edit the registry using REGEDIT provided the following are
true...
1. you make a backup first..........2. you know what you are doing.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There is a LOT of stuff in the registry. I don't know what even a fraction
of it does. But as far as startup items in the registry go,*you can "edit" the registry indirectly using the MSCONFIG utility provided with windows. MSCONFIG shows you the items in the registry (along with those in your startup folder) and
allows you to select and unselect which ones startup via a checkbox. It
doesn't actually delete anything, it just "moves" them to another location.
In the registry, items that you uncheck are moved to one of the following
keys.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices-
...and unchecked items that were in the startup folder get moved to...
Start->Programs->Disabled Startup Items
<*> Highlight added by page author
My thanks to Mr. Krick's for his help. His delineation "E-Mail" has been forwarded to "senior"... I'm one... friends who have purchased computers with Windows ME and XP, and who have unundated me with "why can't I see what's running in "Start-UP? after visiting this (Closeapps )page.
Steps for effective Installing of software. ..Either from Downloading or from Installation of New Software Programs...From CD's or other
Close all Applications that appear on the Desktop in the "Status Bar" which is located at the lower Right corner of the Desktop.
This is accomplished by placing the Mouse Arrow on the application Icon and clicking the " Right " Mouse Button. This will cause a Dialog Box to open which provides the option to " Close or Exit " the Application.
Don't be concerned about closing these (Apps) Applications...that are visable on the Status Bar... because when you Restart (Re-Boot )the computer..which you (usually ) always have to do after installing new software...all the applications will be re-installed on the Desktop Status bar.
The Applications visible on the "Status Bar" are not the only Applications that are running when you start (boot ) the computer. To See and Close these Application perform the following steps:
HOLD DOWN THE:
Control (Ctrl)+ALT+ DEL keys...The Del( abbreviation for Delete) is located on the Number Pad, lower " Right Corner " of the Keyboard or " Below the Insert Key which is located under the Print Screen Key.
Holding Down these keys causes a Dialog Box titled " Close Program " to open.
When using the " Close Program " dialog box to close applications DO NOt Close The Systray or Explorer Applications
Starting from the bottom of the open application listing,
place the Mouse Pointer on the Applications Name, which causes the name to be highlighted and then Click the" End Task " button on the bottom of the Close Program box.
The program should close and be removed from the listing of opened applications. "Should" is noted because, at times the applications don't close and you have to go back and do the close step again. When you do another dialog box will open that advises you that the application did not close and the reason why. You then have to Click the Button that causes program to close or Shut Down
At the Bottom of this dialog box there's a "Shut Down" option button which when clicked closes that App.
After each Application is closed you have to "again "Hold Down " The Control (Ctrl ) Alt and Del keys...which as noted above causes the "Close Program" Dialog box to open...You close all Apps, Except Explorer and Systray.
You NEVER, Never, close the Explorer or Systray Applications..
After installing software you will be instructed to " Restart the Computer ". If no message about restarting appears be sure to restart so computer can update to include the new installed software.
As noted above, It is recommended that the computer be restarted after running Defrag and or Scandisk
Launched: 2/28/2002