What is the best way to remove programs from the startup application list?

• Uninstalling the owner application - If a startup program was added by an application, and you are not planning to use that application any more, you should follow the uninstall process of that application to remove the startup program.
• Using the owner application configuration option - If a startup program was added by an application, it is very likely that the owner application will provide you a way to remove that startup program. For example, WZQKPICK.exe (WinZip Quick Pick) can be removed from the startup application list by using WinZip application's configuation option.
• Removing items from Windows common startup folder - If a startup program was added as an item in the common startup folder (known as Common Startup location), you can use Windows Explore to delete that item in the folder of C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
• Removing items from single user startup folders - If a startup program was added as an item in a single user startup folder (known as Startup location), you can user Windows Explore to delete that item in the folder of C:\Documents and Settings\your_login\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
• Using startup programs management tools - There are third party tools that designed to help you managing startup programs. For example, HijackThis, Absolute Startup, etc.
• Editing system registry - If a startup program was added as an entry in the system registry (known as Registry location), you can use the "regedit" command to delete that entry. You should not use this method, unless you feel comfortable with registry edting.