Starting Visio 2010 also runs a bunch of other *.exe files at the same time!

Question

I have only recently bought &  installed Visio 2010.

But each time I start it, it simultaneously runs the same collection of *.exe programs on my
computer, which opens up about 20-25 windows on my computer.  These other *.exe files are
not viruses, they are all little utilities and things I already have stored on my computer, such as a demo version of a little program one company built, another that's useful to create ebook cover art, etc etc. 

a/I certainly don't want to run 'em all at the same time and

b/I most certainly don't want to have to close down all the many other windows tediosly, one by one, before I can
actually get back to Visio... I've barely had time to look at it, because my time is occupied with trying to figure out what this problem is and more, how to stop it.

I am running Windows 7 (64 bit). I have full and up to date
virus protection software on my PC (ZoneAlarm) and am pretty confident that this is not a virus problem. I've even gone and double-checked, one at a time, every process and activity on my system to satisfy myself of this.

It's almost like the 'boot Visio' command is heading off along a path it shouldn't... because it also runs a 'and boot all
these other little things' command at the same time.

I've opened Visio in Safe Mode - I don't get the problem.

I had already tried installing Visio 2010 as an upgrade (ie, wiping out Visio
2003) but got the same problem.  I then uninstalled 2010, and reinstalled
2003.

I have tried deleting the folder which contained most of the problem files form my hard disk (moving the contents to an external HDD), but it still happens! 

I don't know what else to try. Can anyone
help?

Other possibly relevant programs I have are:

Office 2007 (not 2010)

Visio 2003

Answer 1

In Visio 2010, File -> Options -> Advanced

right down at the bottom click the File Locations button

and check that the Startup box doesn't contain anything it shouldn't.

Normally it will be empty, if you've installed any extra Visio addons then this box may contain the folder address of that addon.

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-- Paul Herber, Sandrila Ltd. Engineering and software shapes for Visio - http://www.sandrila.co.uk/

Answer 2

Thanks for your v quick reply Paul,

When I check in the File Locations Start Up, the only entries there are

Start in E:\ 

My Shapes in E:\

and Templates C:\Users\Jane\Documents\My Shapes

(I have two drives on the PC, C for programs and E for data).

But while waiting for an answer I did some more investigating, and think I've found the reason why it is behaving thus, but not how this came about.

All of those unwanted behaviours are files that are listed as Add-Ons (under Trust Centre). I've disabled all of them, closed and reopened Visio,  and now no longer get that unwanted behaviour.  I remain mystified as to how it came about.  It seems that Visio went off and searched out this bunch of  exe files in E drive, decided they were AddIns and treated them as such ie, 'Add Ins'.  I have no idea what would make that happen.  I'll look to see if I permanently remove any of them, because I don't seem to have been able to thus far, just disable.

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Jane B

Answer 3

Just as a comment from the side, I would probably reconsider using a root as a file path for almost anything (E:\). When you add a root it has to be searched which adds to start up time, possible security issues, and (as in your case) sometimes things begin to execute that may be unintentional.

al

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If this answer solves your problem, please check Mark as Answered. If this answer helps, please click the Vote as Helpful button. Al Edlund Visio MVP

Answer 4

>Start in E:\ 

As Al says, there is the problem. Visiio takes this as the starting point to search for any executable files which then get started as addons.

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-- Paul Herber, Sandrila Ltd. Engineering and software shapes for Visio - http://www.sandrila.co.uk/

Answer 5

Thank you both VERY much for your input - it's been most helpful.

Jane

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Jane B