Speed up XP. Like?

[morr]

Does anyone have an answer to msconfig and whether it is really that bad to use it for startup only?...

I wouldn't say its "really bad", just that its not the best option.
As you have seen on the thread you quoted, and no doubt elsewhere too, using msconfig as a permanent solution has the potential (however slight) to introduce complications, using the individual software options can largely negate this.

We are often called upon to advise our clients on "best practice" when it comes to their computer use, backing up etc, as techs we too should utilise best practice methods where feasible.

 

[commentator8]

I wouldn't say its "really bad", just that its not the best option.
As you have seen on the thread you quoted, and no doubt elsewhere too, using msconfig as a permanent solution has the potential (however slight) to introduce complications, using the individual software options can largely negate this.

We are often called upon to advise our clients on "best practice" when it comes to their computer use, backing up etc, as techs we too should utilise best practice methods where feasible.

True, but seeing as there is not other way besides opening and manually disabling from within each program, doesn't the convenience factor outweigh the orphaned reg factor? I (for my use) would say so - all the more so on a computer where time is money. From a customers standpoint (especially on a slow or old computer) isn't the money saved the better outcome (as while cleaner, it is not really better for the computer)?

 

[Methical]

Personally, I've never had a problem running MSConfig to remove the basic startup entries.

Its just one of the tools when your out and about without your flash drive That, and a few basic reg entries for startup items. Its always good to know alternative methods.

I do admit though, AutoRuns is 10x better for listing the startup entries.
That is where the majority of the speed increase comes from.

From there you can tweak the system, depending on what its used for of course
As an example, you wouldn't disable the wireless service on a laptop.