Limit Startup Programs

• 1
  Each program that loads at startup increases the time it takes.working on computer 2 image by dana nicolescu from Fotolia.com
  
  Open the Control Panel. Under Programs, click "Change startup programs."
  
  
• 2). In Windows Defender, view programs that load at startup. Right-click any part of the list and choose "Startup Type."
  
  
• 3). To check whether a program is needed, select it and click "Disable." Exit Windows Defender, and restart your system.
  
  
• 4). If your computer works properly without loading that item at startup, go back into Windows Defender, select the program and click "Remove."
  
  

Modify Group Policy

• 1
  In some editions of Vista, you can use Group Policy.computer art image by samantha grandy from Fotolia.com
  
  Click "Start," and type "gpedit.msc" (no quotes) in the Search box. Click to open the Group Policy Editor. The Group Policy snap-in is not available in Home versions of Vista.
  
  
• 2). Go to the Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Logon node.
  
  
• 3). Double-click "Run These Programs At User Logon," and modify the policy to include only those programs you wish to load when you log on.
  
  
• 4). If you think a virus or Trojan might have invaded your registry, double-click "Do Not Process The Run Once List," and enable the policy. Remember, however, that many legitimate programs also use the registry key controlled by this policy in order to complete setup, and take care only to remove known threats.
  
  
• 5). If you still suspect a rogue program, double-click "Do Not Process The Legacy Run List" and enable the policy. Again, however, the registry keys affected are often used by legitimate applications.
  
  

Run Boot Diagnostics

• 1
  Boot diagnostics are available in the Group Policy Editor.computer keyboard and mouse image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
  
  In the Group Policy Editor, in the Troubleshooting and Diagnostics\Windows Boot Performance Diagnostics node, enable the Configure Scenario Execution Level policy.
  
  
• 2). Choose "Detection and Troubleshooting Only" to add an event to the Event Log, which may help you troubleshoot the problem.
  
  
• 3). Choose "Detection, Troubleshooting and Resolution" to have Vista locate problems and attempt to fix them.
  
  

Restore Last Known Good Configuration

• 1
  System Restore returns your system to a previous configuration.computer girl four image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Click "Start." In the Search box, type "rstrui" (no quotation marks). Click "System Restore." You can roll back your system to an earlier state when it worked well.
  
  
• 2). When the wizard appears, select a restore point, and click "Next" through the wizard.
  
  
• 3). Click "Finish," then "Yes." The restore process will begin. When it is finished, your system will reboot. System Restore does not affect your documents.