MSConfig Nag

Howto: Getting rid of the MSConfig balloon prompt "Windows has blocked some startup programs." (MSConfig annoyance nag)

I recommend occasionally running MSConfig to clean-up startup programs. You can read all the reasons here.


But you may get bugged with this balloon message: "Windows has blocked some startup programs".

Getting Rid of the Prompt:

1. Right-click on the MSconfig System-tray icon (the prompt in the lower-right corner, after a boot).

2. Choose "Run Blocked Program";
Choose "System Configuration Utility".
If you do not see this choice, see Exceptions, below.

3. The next time you reboot, you will be presented with this prompt: "Don't show this message or startup system configuration when Windows starts". Check the box and OK. This will remove the annoying prompt.


Exceptions:

If you dive into the "Run Blocked Program" menu but do not see 'System Configuration Utility' and instead see another program, whose name will vary, do these steps:

A. Run MSConfig and take this program out of the startup list:

• Launch MSConfig
• In the [Startup] tab, look for the offending program and uncheck it (which disables the program). At the next boot, the prompt should be gone.

Of course, all this begs the question: Why didn't Microsoft simply give you an option in the popup window to stop prompting? Perhaps Windows 7.

Related articles:
Cleanup Startup Programs
Streamline Startup Menus
Vista Spiffs