Under the StartUp Tab when runnining msconfig.exe, are a long list of start up shortcuts that I have either checked or unchecked. But now some of these programs are not even on my computer yet these shortcuts remain, how do I get rid of these start shortcuts manually that are showing up under msconfig.exe?

Removing msconfig startup entries They could be in a few places. Start Menu/Programs/startup System.ini Win.ini Registry To remove them in the Registry, go to Start/Run type RegEdit. Wend your way to Hkey_Local_Machine/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/ Then scan down for the entries that start with 'Run'. Highlight them and look for the programs that you want to remove in the right hand pane.

And delete them.

These are the seven RUN keys that can start programs from the registry. Check them all to find wayward app starts. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ RunServices HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ RunServicesOnce HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ RunOnce\Setup

If you want to do it with a simple program, go to ZDnet and search for STARTUP COP. Gives you a choice: Green light means program is and checked. Yellow means unchecked. Red means remove.