Quick Tip: Finding and using the new Windows 8 Startup tab

Takeaway: The new Startup tab in Windows 8 has enhanced functionality.

As you may remember, in previous versions of Windows you could manage the programs that launch at startup by running the System Configuration tool (aka MSCONFIG) and selecting the Startup tab. However, in Windows 8, the Startup tab has been moved from the System Configuration tool to Task Manager.

In addition to disabling programs, you’ll find that the new Startup tab has enhanced functionality. For example, you can now track down the location of a file on your hard disk as well as instantly search the Web for more detailed information about the program. Let’s take a closer look.

Startup tab

To begin, navigate to the Windows 8 desktop and right-click on the desktop taskbar and select Task Manager from the context menu. (You can also use the familiar standby: CTRL-ALT-DEL.) (Figure A)

Figure A

Task Manager

When Task Manager appears, select the Startup tab. (Figure B)

Figure B

Startup tab

Right-click on the startup program that you want to investigate and when the context menu appears, you can choose any of the available options: (Figure C)

• Select Disable to render the program inoperative. (Once a program is disabled, this command will become Enable.)
• Select Open file location to launch File Explorer targeted on the folder that contains the program’s executable file.
• Select Search online to launch your browser and see the results of a search for the file name in your favorite search engine
• Select Properties to open a standard Windows Properties dialog box where you can find all kinds of information about the file.

Figure C

Options

By placing the Startup tab in task Manager, along with the new features, Microsoft has made investigating and troubleshooting start programs easier in Windows 8.