A few months ago, a site attached programs to my computer without permission. These programs ran on startup. I found some of them using Start Cop, and the rest I found in msconfig - startup. To my great relief, I was able to uncheck the ones in msconfig and it blocked the programs from running. Now, I would like to delete these unchecked programs permanently - but, I don't know how! I tried to find them in Windows with no luck. Thanks in advance... Bob

They may have attributes setting them as hidden. The FIND utility won't show hidden files. Open Windows Explorer, click on View, Folder Options, View and scroll down to Files and Folders. Under Hidden Files click on "Show All files", then uncheck "Hide file extensions for known file types". Then use FIND to locate the files.

Well, strictly speaking you should make absolutely sure that the programs have gone (looking for the .exe files would be a good start). Once you are sure they have gone then to remove the appearances in msconfig you have to remove them from the registry. I can give you the location but the easiest way forward is this: Type regedit in the Run box. This will give you the registry screen. Then use Edit/Find and search for Run- which will list anything that you have unticked in msconfig. When you are absolutely certain that you have found the entries that match the offending programs then delete the appropriate entries. If the registry is not you scene then safest bet is to use "Registry/Export Registry File" to save the registry before you start. If anything goes wonky then double click this file and it will merge back the registry entries as if they were never removed. You can then have another go. Derek.W

'er's a lit'l page from the 'orse's mouth 'imself: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560

There are some utilities that should clean out those references. To manually remove the items, I listed most (all?) of the places where they can hide in this thread a few months ago: http://computing.net/windows95/wwwboard/forum/155414.html

DAVEINCAPS I went thru everything you had on your list -and didn't find the files. However, instead of the Start - Settings route, I went to C:\Windows\All Users\Start Menu\Programs. This revealed a "Disabled Startup Items" folder. I clicked on the folder and there the culprits were listed as shortcuts! I deleted the files (which were all exe files, by the way) and then checked msconfig - startup to see if they were still there; they were gone! Thanks to you Dave, and all those who responded. Bob

You're welcome. I didn't go into much detail on items listed in the 'allusers' folder since it basically is the same as the regular startup folder--just located in a different place. I'll put more emphasis on that next time I have occasion to post it. Thanks for posting back with your results.