I get this every time I turn on my PC. It’s harmless, but its been over a year with it and I’m tired of it.

Persistent Startup Notification: How to Address Residual Messages After Uninstalling Windows Plugins

Experiencing recurring notifications upon startup can be both distracting and concerning, especially when trying to maintain a smooth and efficient computing environment. If you’ve encountered a persistent message that appears each time you power on your PC—despite having uninstalled the associated software—you’re not alone. This article explores common causes, troubleshooting steps, and best practices to resolve such issues effectively.

Understanding the Context

Many users install customization tools and plugins to enhance their Windows experience. For instance, FalconX was a popular utility designed to center the taskbar in Windows 10, providing a more streamlined interface. Once upgraded to Windows 11, many users found these tools unnecessary and chose to uninstall them. However, residual notifications or error messages can persist long after the software’s removal, leading to frustration.

Common Causes of Persistent Startup Messages

Residual Registry Entries or Files: Uninstalling software may not completely remove all associated registry keys or system files, leading to recurring prompts.
Startup Items or Services: Some applications set themselves to run at startup, and if these entries aren’t cleaned up, they can trigger messages.
Unresolved Shortcut or Script: A shortcut, script, or scheduled task referencing the uninstalled plugin might still execute upon startup.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Check Startup Programs
Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Navigate to the “Startup” tab.
Look for entries related to the plugin or any unfamiliar software.
Disable suspicious entries and reboot to test if the message persists.
Review System Tray and Notifications
Examine the system tray icons and notification center.
Right-click any relevant icons to see if they can be configured or closed.
Use System Configuration
Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
In the “Startup” tab (or open Task Manager’s startup tab), review enabled items.
Uncheck items related to uninstalled software or unknown sources.
Check Task Scheduler
Open the Task Scheduler (search “Task Scheduler” in the Start menu).
Look for tasks associated with the plugin or unrecognized entries.
Disable or delete any tasks that might be causing the message.
Clean Up Residual Files and Registry Entries
Use a trusted system