QTask.exe: How do I keep it out of my startup?

I use QuickTime a lot, but I hate having it force QTask.exe in my startup. I cannot find in the configuration how to stop it. So I manually remove it every time it reinserts itself. Does anyone know how to stop it for good?

 

Or...............
As cut and pasted from here:http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2005/02/22/internetannoy.html?page=2

Kill the QuickTime Icon
THE ANNOYANCE: Every time I start my PC, a small Q-shaped QuickTime icon appears in my system tray. No matter what I do, it keeps reappearing. Can't I get rid of the godblarned thing?

THE FIX: Right-click on the icon and select QuickTime Preferences -> Browser Plugin. Clear the check box next to "QuickTime system tray icon," and then close the settings box. The icon won't appear anymore.

However, even though the icon doesn't appear any longer, QuickTime still stealthily loads a small applet every time you reboot; this allows the icon to show up, even though you've specifically said you don't want it there. So the icon may be gone, but the applet lives on. The applet is called qttask.exe, and it rates way up on the annoyance meter. You can try to stop it from loading by using the System Configuration Utility. Type msconfig at a command prompt or in the Run box, and choose the Startup tab, then uncheck the box next to qttask and click on OK. In theory, that will stop the persistent sucker from loading on startup. But when you run QuickTime again, the program stealthily undoes your change, and qttask.exe loads on startup. Some people have tried deleting the Registry key that loads qttask (the item with the value qttask.exe under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run). But you'll run into the same problem--after QuickTime runs again, it re-creates that key.

The solution? Rename or delete the file qttask.exe. QuickTime works perfectly well without it. Find it in the C:\Program Files\quicktime directory, unless you've installed QuickTime somewhere else.

 

Don't want to jump on Close_Hauled's thread but I have been looking for a way to stop that critter for some time. Thanks Ann for the tip. BTW I found qttask.exe in the C:\Windows\System directory on my Win98SE box, not in the C:\Program Files\QuickTime directory.

 

Autoruns is a program that will show all known startup locations in Windows and if the autostart configuration is deleted, not just disabled, it'll be permenant http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/autoruns.shtml

goddez1's solution is a good one for this situation, had to rename the MS Works updater a long time ago, it simply refused to stay "quiet ".

You might also look into Quick Time Alternative, not nearly as intrusive, have the option on installation to choose how many compoments load http://www.free-codecs.com/download/QuickTime_Alternative.htm

Regards - Charles

 

Actually, it's quite simple.

Just remove QTTask from the startup and delete the file from:

C:\Program Files\QuickTime

As stated above.

I was hoping to find a configuration change within QuickTime that I may have missed

 

Unfortunately, even this doesn't work for qttask. It will be back after restart of Quicktime.

Renaming or deleting, just as with the similar Real applet, is the only solution short of a startup script to remove it.

The Alternatives really are the best solutions for these problems. Not only do you no longer need Quicktime or Real players since you can play their content (and web plugins are included, too) in Windows Media Player, but the included Classic player (optional) also plays Macromedia .swf files.

There's something very satisfying about playing .mov and .ram files in WMP.

 

Hi Close_Hauled,

I believe the call for qttask.exe is encoded in quicktime executable somewhere. It's soul purpose is to nag you with a warning when it detects that something else is playing a file extension it has or wants association with. Possibly a nag if you have made it the default player and later change your mind. I'm unsure as it has been a while since I have allowed quicktime such freedom. There is no such option as you are looking for. As a side note, always opt to "rename" as opposed to "delete ". A "rename" you can undo very easily, should the need or desire arise. A "deletion" is not so easy unless backup steps have been taken. This is just a good habit or routine to fall into. In this case it was harmless. In many cases, it can be a pain.

 

Have to agree with goddez1 on the renaming bit.

It does not need to be anything fancy. All you need to do is delete or add one character.

It is not a good idea to change the first character. As that can change the location of it in the file list making it hard to find later if the need arises.

But BEFORE doing so. Get out the good old fashioned PENCIL and PAPER and write down the before and after.

Yes. It sure can.

BillyBob

 

The rename can be 1 character in front of the .exe, makes it much easier to keep track of: qttaskX.exe

Regards - Charles

 

That works for me. I use the same Idea when editing text files. Prog.xxx, Prog1.xxx etc.

Or working with Such as Photo editing. xxxx.jpg, xxxx1.jpg etc. THen when all is satisfactory I save it as the original.

BillyBob

 

I hate raining on a parade!

But...

QTTask is one of the things I make sure to leave alone. Reason: Its sole purpose is to enable Internet Explorer versions later than 5.5SP1 (so, 5.5SP2 and up) to play embedded Quicktime files on web pages.

Its activities are unrelated to the system tray icon. It, in fact, does absolutely nothing unless a website has a Quicktime embedded movie on it.

It uses almost no resources, even on 9x!

It was designed by Apple back when IE5.5 SP2 came out because the browser was redesigned to no longer handle plugin's the Netscape way.

So, quick! Put it back!

 

Hello Eck,

QTTask.exe

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist_q.htm

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Eck, I am running IE5.5 SP2 and have had qttask.exe disabled for a couple of weeks now with no adverse effects. I can run embedded QT movies in the browser OK. Example movies from Mars Explorer Site play just fine. (Slow d/l tho' on 56K modem).

 

I've had qttask disabled from the day I installed Quicktime and have never had a problem. I tried a couple of the videos on the page that John linked to and they worked fine. I don't have qttask.exe renamed though so, of course, qttask.exe wanted to put itself in the startup group again. I suppose I could rename it but I use a program called RegistryProt that monitors the startup group. Whenever I use Quicktime it alerts me to the fact that QT wants to put it in the startup group. Just click no to deny it and move on. Even if you have renamed qttask you might want to check this little program out. Works great and only uses 132KB of memory. You never know it's running until something wants to add itself to one of the registry keys that it monitors (there's a bunch of them).

 

Ummm, okay! I guess it now turns itself on when needed. And it wants to be on all the time! Its footprint is so small I'd rather grant its wish.

But, to each his own.

 

Hey Zander,

RegProt used to be one of my favs before I started using System Safety Monitor - an app/processes "firewall ". It watches the registry as well.

Regards - Charles