Years ago I pared my startup programs. The only Windows program that starts is HotKeysCmds. All other programs are my installed software, i.e. security apps, etc. I guess I don't understand why there aren't more Windows programs that need to start!

I did some paring of my own recently. If it wasn't for my mouse, touch pad, and antivirus there would be nothing.

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My total running processes. I don't think I can cut any more. Two of them (Process Explorer and Fastone Capture) are only running because I took this srceen shot.

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No startup entries are necessary for Windows to start up normally.

By the way, Anthony, you should try using your KB/Mouse without SetPoint. I have a Logitech S510 wireless 'desktop' and it works just fine without the software. I personally didn't like the software one bit when I installed it .

It's because most required Windows processes run as services, which is why they don't need to be launched from the Registry Run keys or the Startup folder

I am using a Logitech MX610 Laser Cordless mouse. It has 12 buttons I program and I use every one of them every day. Most of them don't work without the software. I couldn't live without my tilt wheel for horizontal scroll and that doesn't work without the software. Besides as you can see I am light on resources even with the mouse software.

Just 5 startup items here (two of which are completely optional - dsl status tray icon and HD temp monitor) and between 18-21 processes running normally:

I'm pretty sure you can disable that touchpad entry too. Looks like I have the same touchpad as you, there were two entries for mine - SynTPEnh and SynTPLpr. I've got that entry you've got disabled without any probs. Funnily enough though I've still got the other entry enabled cos I thought it was needed for the touchpad to work, have you got the SynTPLpr entry disabled in msconfig???

So I don't even need HotKeys...?

I only have the one entry for the touch pad in MS Config. I never attempted to disable it because I assume the pad would not work if I did. I haven't got much checked in MS Config anymore. It's looking pretty trim.
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When I bought this machine there were over 50 processes running on it. I am down to 20 and I haven't lost any functionality.

According to Castle Cops the SynTPEnh entry is optional:

Hmm, maybe I will try to disable it and see what happens. Worst case I loose my touch pad until I re-enable it again.

Well having seen you running without the touchpad entry I've got I tried killing the entry in task manager, touchpad still worked fine. Took the plunge and disabled it it msconfig, restarted and still working fine. I now have neither of the touchpad entries running at startup and the touchpad is working exactly the same as before.

I will try tomorrow since I am heading out now. My touch pad only had the one entry to begin with. I didn't have two like yours so I wonder if they are much different? I will find out though. Won't surprise me though if it still works when I uncheck the entry in MS Config. I have killed of almost 40 processes and haven't had a problem yet.

Well I tried disabling this and lost the ability to scroll and tap. I could still use the mouse pad to move the cursor but I lost the advanced functions.

13 Startups here, mainly because I can

I don't use any of the advanced functions, in fact I find them annoying, so thats one of the first things disabled after a reinstall.

Did you check to see if they worked though after disabling the start up entry for the touch pad?

No I didn't. Like I said I found them annoying. When I first got this computer I couldn't work out why I kept getting a pop up flash up on screen briefly. When I found it was a silly shortcuts menu that popped up if you touced the pad in a certain way or place I killed it off and do so after any reinstall.
I assume if you do want those functions you will have to leave it in startup.

What tool are you using?

I have StartUpCPL (not sure if that is correct though) ?

Cheers,
B.

Those screen shots were CCleaner's Start Up feature. I use MS config, MS services, and Autoruns to control what starts and doesn't.