How do I stop programs starting at bootup

[Russ1966]

I have a few programs that start as soon as I boot my computer. One is ie5. Also my scanner is always running in the background taking up resources, I would like to alter it so i have to switch it on via start, programs etc. I did manage this once before by putting a colon before its line in a file, but i have since wiped my hard drive and I cannot remember how.
Please Help
Thanks

[zookeeper]

Howdy
Not be Testy!! But what this got to do with DOS???
The file you said you put a semi colon( http://discussions.virtualdr.com/wink.gif in is win.ini, look for 2 lines RUN= and LOAD= if there is something after the equal sign
Put a semi colon in front of the line.
And don't forget to save.
If there's nothing there Right click the start button slect open double click programs, double click startup, what ever programs are in this, are starting when you boot to windows.

Hope this helps