How do I stop SDMCP.EXE from loading?

from WinCustomize Forums
I don't have any stardock products loading when my computer starts up. I don't currently have any customizations on my computer, I've removed them all. I've gone into the start up in my start menu, I've gone into "run" area of the registry. I've looked every where I can think of to find where SDMCP.EXE is starting up on my computer. I don't want it to start it up? Can somebody please tell me how to stop this from starting up with my computer everytime it starts, short of removing all stardock products? Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
5,131 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
look in the preferences of stardock central
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
tools > settings > general - uncheck enable mcp smartstartrup (i just read that somewhere.. )
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You advice didn't help. Its still starting up in the background. Not only that but window blinds is loading when windows starts as well. I purchased object desktop as a curiosity more than anything. I've had it for some time now, but since the last upgrade it has taken over my system. Cant seem to stop it from loading? Not impressed? Little invasive to say the least. Seeing as I haven't used it since Christmas, with the exception of updating all the software with stardock central? I know its not from me changing any settings?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've gone through the settings everywhere in Windowblinds to stop it from loading with windows? Did they change that in the last update cause I cant find it anywhere? As for SDMCP.exe starting up, unchecking "MCP smart startup" by itself didn't do it but when I unchecked "MCP area support" as well, that did the trick. But how do I stop windowblinds from starting up with windows. Since I did the last update it has taken over my computer.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
goto 'download.com', or 'majorgeeks.com' and get the program called 'hijackthis'.
it is a program which tells you what starts up to run. it cannot tell you what is good or bad for your pc, just what is starting up to run. it is up to the user to know what to keep/remove. you want to remove anything in #20. this is a great program to remove other bho's and non essential programs as well, such as adobe reader, which doesn't need to load at startup. you must create it's own folder in programs, then link it to your desktop, or you will get a warning message that it is in the wrong place.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Click Start - Run - type "msconfig"
Click the Start Up tab.
Does it show in the list?
If so, uncheck it and save the changes and re-boot
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nah msconfig isn't the best tool, because when you reboot it shows you a dialog and will start that utility everytime windows starts. If you check dont show again it re-enables that! OMG nice one MS.

Start > Run > Regedit > navigate to My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Find the entry you want then double click - a path should now be highlighted. Put a semicolon in front of it. Then close the registry editor. Or you could get MS AntiSpy and block it from there and get yourself a gr8 program at the same time for free
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nah msconfig isn't the best tool, because when you reboot it shows you a dialog and will start that utility everytime windows starts. If you check dont show again it re-enables that! OMG nice one MS.
Start > Run > Regedit > navigate to My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Find the entry you want then double click - a path should now be highlighted. Put a semicolon in front of it. Then close the registry editor. Or you could get MS AntiSpy and block it from there and get yourself a gr8 program at the same time for free
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
jeez it took me 4 edits to get that presented right!
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
if you don't want WB to run at start up - open configure WB (right click tray icon) under my skins - set it to the windows default skin
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you're using XP, Listen to Bichur ..... that is the proper way to disable WB at startup.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Indeed. Please do not advise people to edit the registry. Especially when you haven't a clue what you're talking about. Editing the registry is dangerous, even for the experienced. WB doesn't appear there anyway
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you Sir Bichur you were right on the button. Not quite sure why it started loading and applying a skin after I did the update in stardock central? Anyway, problem solved. Thanks for all your help everyone.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not quite sure why it started loading and applying a skin after I did the update in stardock central?


There is no run at startup button for WB - by default, if a skin other than windows default is selected, it automatically assumes you want that skin to run at startup... the windows default selection tells it not to run.

Once you have it set 'not to run at startup' if you decide you want a skin to run - the easiest way is to run theme mgr and pick a skin to run - if you don't want the skin to run at startup next time, then before you log off, set back to default.

Trying to get WB to run from the start menu when the windows default skin has been selected doens't work (at least it hasn't for me) - it will open - blip - close = the default skin selection is also an auto 'unload'
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Or you could get MS AntiSpy and block it from there


if you want to get something to block items from running at startup there are better ways to do that easier. i have blocked some items with MSASpy before but they don't show up where i can decided to allow, and i end up with a message about them later - no biggie it's beta

i use ace utilities - tried it then paid it a couple yrs back - free upgrades for life - it has a run at startup mgr - check or uncheck - even tells you when an item selected not to run re-establishes itself - HOWEVER - WB does not show in the list - the only SD progs i find are cursorxp and logonstudio - but i did get an option to not let msnmgr run at startup - you can find startup mgrs out there both free and paid -- i do find the WB/fastload.dll in SpyBot's startup tool but I haven't unchecked it to see what happens - i likes me blinds (well not mine per se but, those excellent blinds made by talented people that i have downloaded from this site)