Deleting a program at startup ?? [Archive]

Sharon F

December 5th 03, 01:25 AM

On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 22:08:02 +0200, "Eric C" >
wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>When I start windows xp, the screen comes directly to the explorer.
>I never asked this !
>How is it possible to cancel this and open my session with the desktop ?
>I've checked the startup programs in configuration panel and there is
>nothing about that !!!
>
>Thanks a lot for your advises.
>
>Eric
>

This usually occurs at startup when the path to a startup program
contains a long file name or has spaces. Example:
C:\Program Files\Program Folder\program.exe.

A path of that type needs to be enclosed in quotation marks:
"C:\Program Files\Program Folder\program.exe"

Without the quote marks (or with only one quote mark), Windows can't
process the path. It will pop open Windows Explorer with the focus on
the folder where it stopped following the path.

Using the example of the path above, you would find Windows Explorer
open at "Program Files" or "Program Folder." It would never make it to
the program.exe file that is the actual target.

To fix, notice the path where Windows Explorer has stopped in that
initial Windows Explorer window. Then compare it to the lines that call
your startup programs. Most can be found listed in MSCONFIG, System
Information or the RUN keys in the registry.

Pay special attention to the ones that match the starting path you
determined was being used by checking the focus position of Windows
Explorer. Check those items for missing or single quote marks. Edit if
necessary.

Of course, there is at least one other possible reason for Explorer to
be showing at startup. Check in Folder Options> View to see if "Restore
previous folder windows at logon" is enabled.

Sharon F
MS MVP [Shell/User]