I have a compaq computer, running windows xp, and using internet explorer. I've gone to msconfig and unchecked several programs so they won't load at start up. Some of them have loaded up again so what I want to know is it OK to delete the programs from msconfig that have no check mark in the box if there is one just like it that has a mark in the box? (The ones without the mark would be the ones I had stopped from loading at startup but came back)

I can not sit here 500 miles away and tell you what you can delete in your start up lol. That said this site will help your identify most of what's is in there -- Savage
Startups - Contents

If your are sure of what your doing, you can use "regedit" to delete the startup items. NOTE: Some applications may recreate the key on bootup, so you would need to unistall the program instead, or check if it's a virus/trojan.

Export the registry first as a backup before deleting anything.

DISCLAIMER: DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK, WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOUR COMPUTER RUNS DIFFERENTLY AFTERWARDS. :)

Run regedit at the run prompt.

Open msconfig, and under the startup tab, there will be a column labeled "Location". This is the registry key where the item is located. Navigate to it, and delete the unwanted key.

As an example:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run

You may find some startup programs in this key also:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Runonce

You can also check the startup folder for entries too.

May I suggest a safer method would be using the Software Explorer in Windows Defender to get detailed information on the running processes, it also deletes the registry keys making sure the programs are not run again. This is an easy solution, and the program is free.

I use this program and it works for me download free trial

TuneUp Software International - Home Page

startup.exe

This is a little app that does the same thing as msconfig, only better ;)

Its easy to use, and it lets you keep your startup clean.



StartupMonitor
And this app will pop up a message ANY time a program tries to add itself to the startup. (fyi: if you are installing a program, sometimes it will but temp files in your startup that are required to complete the install. So only block the actual programs like quicktime's qtask.exe and messengers and stuff)