How to Remove the HP Welcome Center
By Tiffany Garden
The HP Welcome Center is an HP-branded version of the Windows Welcome Center, which launches at when Windows launches. The HP Welcome Center provides you with links and information on HP products. You also have access to several commonly used sections of Windows. If you don't want or need the HP Welcome Center launching when you start the computer, you can disable it so it no longer launches. This process does not adversely affect the operating system's functionality, and you don't need it to use your computer. The HP Welcome Center is only available on the Windows Vista operating system; later versions of Windows use a window called "Getting Started" instead of the Welcome Center.
Step 1
Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Control Panel." Double-click "Welcome Center."
Step 2
Deselect the box in the lower-left corner of the Welcome Center to disable it from starting when you load Windows. Click "Apply." If you just want to stop it from running, and don't want to completely remove it, you don't need to perform any additional steps.
Step 3
Click the Windows "Start" button, type "regedit" in the Search field and press "Enter."
Step 4
Expand in the Registry Editor "HKEY_CURRENT_USER | Software | Microsoft | Windows | Current Version | Run."
Step 5
Locate the "WindowsWelcomeCenter" key in the Registry Editor window. Right-click "WindowsWelcomeCenter" and click "Delete."
References
Warnings
- Do not alter any other registry settings. Registry settings control essential parts of the operating system and programs on your computer. Altering any other settings may cause your system to become inoperable.
Writer Bio
Tiffany Garden has been a freelance writer since 2002, working in the commercial copywriting field. She has been published in a number of technical and gaming magazines, as well as on numerous websites. She also runs her own websites on a number of subjects, runs a handcrafted jewelry business and is a CompTIA A+ Certified computer technician.