There's a start up list - programmes that get loaded or partially loaded at start up. Over time this list gets populated with more and more entries - some good, some neutral and quite a lot of rubbish. It's good to have security products in the start up list though.
To view and modify do this...
START
Run
enter msconfig and click OK
Select the start up tab
Deselect anything you like
My list has 22 entries with just 3 of them enabled
You will not break the machine if you deselect all of them.
Good luck...
Peccavi
July 2009