programs aren't opening at start up

[Vicious2071]

i did (or installed) something the other day. i blocked some programs from starting up when i turned on the computer. uh... it’s blocking up quicktime, itunes... and all those useless thing. the only thing that bugs me is that it’s messing with my antivirus settings. how can i fix this (if possible)?

start -> run -> msconfig -> startup tab

I didn't use that. I think I downloaded a software to block the programs at the start up.

[Dencandy]

Have you tried System Restore to a time before this problem started?

If that doesn't work, the next thing I would do is to uninstall all the programmes you've installed since the time your computer was working properly, then re-install them one by one. Test the whole system and your anti-virus/malware apps after installing each one before going on to re-install the next one. This way you isolate the problem programme.

StartUp Inspector (here) is a tried and tested app to easily check your start up programmes. Autoruns (here) is a more advanced utility that gives you much more information (read the documentation that goes with it carefully).

You can also use either of these utilities to stop programmes from running at start-up (and phoning home, etc) while keeping them on your system to use as & when you want to use them.

Be warned, some, like QuickTime, may re-install themselves to load on start-up once more as soon as you use them again. So you have to uncheck them in the list again. Very annoying.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I downloaded a software to block the programs at the start up.

Use the same software to undo the changes you did, then use a reliable startup manager (such as Startup Inspector, as recommended in the previous post).

I do not recommend Autoruns for inexperienced users.