This article describes the Restore Startup Programs option that is available under certain conditions with the Microsoft System Configuration Utility (Msconfig.exe).

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
After you upgrade your computer from Microsoft Windows 98 to Windows XP, and then you log on to the computer for the first time, Setup disables all of the program files (all .lnk and .exe files) by removing them from the Startup folder and the Run key in the registry, except for the "known good programs", which are not removed.

The Restore Startup Programs option is located on the Startup tab in the System Configuration Utility.

This option is available only when one or both of the following conditions occurs:

•	One or more values are identified and moved to the DisabledRunKeys registry key from the Run key (in the registry).
•	One or more programs are identified and moved from the Startup folder to the two disabled Startup folders.

When this option is available, if you select it, the "Startup Programs Removed During Setup" window opens and displays a list of all of the disabled programs, which includes their return locations (when they are enabled). This option enables you to restore one or all of the files that are listed as disabled. If you enable all of the programs that are listed, the next time that you start the System Configuration Utility all of the items are transferred to the Startup tab, and the Restore Startup Programs option is unavailable.

For additional information about how to restore the programs that are listed as disabled and troubleshoot startup problems that can occur, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: The values that are removed from the Run key are transferred to the following registry key: Each value that is under this key corresponds to a run item (program) that had been disabled by Setup. The format for the values is the same as the original values in the following registry key: When you restore these values by using the Restore Startup Programs option, they are moved from the registry value in DisabledRunKeys back to the Run key.

The startup programs are moved to one of the following hidden folders:

•	Systemdrive\Documents and Settings\User\Start Menu\Programs\Disabled Startup Items
•	Systemdrive\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Disabled Startup Items

These folders correspond to programs that have been disabled from the "User" and "All User" Startup folders. When you restore these programs by using the Restore Startup Programs option, they are restored to the corresponding Startup folder.