I tried Ray’s instructions on “How the Clean Startup Programs and Network Drives”, and used msconfig to remove “jusched” (after consulting the suggested website), the first item in my startup list. I was asked to restart my PC and was then presented with this message:

System Configuration Utility
You have used the System Configuration Utility to make changes to the way Windows starts.
The System Configuration Utility is currently in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode, causing this message to be displayed and the utility to run every time Windows starts.
Choose the Normal Startup mode on the General tab to start Windows normally and undo the changes you made using the System Configuration Utility

It had an empty tick box labelled “Don’t show this message or launch the System Configuration Utility when Windows starts” and an “OK” button. I decided not to tick the box, but hit “OK” and followed the instructions Once again I had to restart the PC, which restored the status quo, with “jusched” still listed among the startup items, in the middle of the list instead of at the start.

This all seemed a tad unhelpful. It seems Windows doesn’t like me messing about with msconfig! Is there a way of using it without having it complain? Is it safe to tick the box? Would that have solved it, or might it have introduced some other problem?

   When you uncheck an item in msconfig, it automatically changes the Startup Selection on the General tab to Selective Startup which presents the message about the System Configuration Utility at startup.  You can check the "Don't show this message..." checkbox so that it will not appear.
   On the General tab of msconfig if you check the Normal Startup item, it will make sure all items are checked (so any items that you unchecked will be checked).
   So if you want to use the Startup tab and uncheck an item, it will have to be run in Selective Startup mode which will give you the startup message.

Many thanks, Ray. I now understand what is happening (I think!). My PC now starts up significantly quicker and seems to shut down quicker, too. I guess the latter is because some processes that were always in memory are no longer there, so they don't need to be closed down when I close the machine down. Does that seem like a correct analysis? It's amazing how many things I don't need had got themselves into the startup list!

RE: "System Config complains" You could view it as Windows protecting you from yourself (as one of my instructors would have said).  Your final analysis would have been correct, ie. checking the box that says "don't launch system config or display this message again when windows starts" would have solved your problem.  I am assuming that what you removed from the startup list was correct and beneficial.  I try to check msconfig after installing programs that I am not familiar with.  That way I know what programs put in the startup menu, for any future editing.  Good luck!

   Yes, alanturk, that seems to be a correct analysis.