autorun manager : Java Glossary

SysTweak ASO (Advanced System Optimiser) has a beautifully done one that has a database to tell you what each of the programs does and whether it can be safely discarded.

Registry Fix includes a primitive one. Ace Utilities includes one.

Windows has a number of mechanisms for programs to start themselves on reboot.

• In the startup menu, you can view or execute the shorcuts with:
  1. Click Start
  2. Click All Programs
  3. Click Startup
  The short cut files themselves are stored in: C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup and C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. You can manipulate them directly with copy/paste/delete.
• In registry entries under: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products autorun
• I suspect there are half a dozen other mechanisms. If you learn how they work, please let me know.