How to permanently prevent QuickTime running on startup

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Level 1

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How to permanently prevent QuickTime running on startup

Every time I run QT, it adds itself to the startup items again and takes unnecessary resources. Each time it does this, I remove it (via msconfig).

Any ideas how to permanently block it (in WinXP) from constantly hijacking my start menu short of a complete uninstall?

This sort of dodgy, persistently intrusive tactic really irritates me. I would expect it from spyware/adware but not from a supposedly reputable app.

PC (custom), Windows XP

Posted on Apr 4, 2011 7:19 AM

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Answer 1

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Apr 4, 2011 2:35 PM in response to stancarrott

Are we talking about the QuickTime taskbar icon here, stan?

If so, in the QuickTime Player, go "Edit > preferences > QuickTime preferences". In the "Advanced" tab, uncheck "Install QuickTime icon in System tray" and click OK.

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Answer 2

stancarrott Author

Level 1

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Apr 6, 2011 3:26 AM in response to b noir

Hi b noir,

Thanks for your reply but no, not the taskbar icon, but the part of the program that runs on startup.

It's called QTTask (probably some quick launch feature) and it runs on startup, using resources even though there is no need for it whatsoever. It re-activates itself every time I run QT.

I figured out a simple solution though so here it is if this issue bothers anyone else:

Delete the file "QTTask.exe" from the installation folder. This appears to cause no stability issues and works until you re-install/update QT.

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Apr 6, 2011 7:44 AM in response to stancarrott

QTTask.exe is the process that displays the icon in the task bar and allows the quick launch. Deleting the executable should cause no problems, though it's unnecessary. Unchecking the "Install QuickTime icon in System tray" in the QuickTime preferences, as b noir suggested, turns off the process (I just confirmed it on my Windows system to be sure).

Regards.

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Answer 4

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Apr 6, 2011 3:06 PM in response to varjak paw

Unchecking the "Install QuickTime icon in System tray" in the QuickTime preferences, as b noir suggested, turns off the process (I just confirmed it on my Windows system to be sure).

🙂 Thanks for the assist, Dave. There's something odd going on on Stan's system if qttask.exe is running again after launching the Player. Many moons ago I turned off the system tray icon in preferences for a troubleshoot, and never got round to switching it back on. It's still off after innumerable launches and a few updates of the software, and qttask.exe is still not running in processes.

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