Yes.
Click START then RUN and in the box type "msconfig" without the quote marks.
Click the start tab and deselect as much as you want - even everything if you wish. Your machine will start somewhat quicker that it used to because it is no longer pre-fetching some applications.
On the next start up a dialog box will appear - follow your instincts when responding to it.
Richard Buxton, October 2008
