Startup Applications List
If you're frustrated with the time it takes your Windows PC to boot and then it seems to be running slowly you may have too many programs running at start-up - and have come to the right place to identify them. This is the original startup programs (as opposed to processes/tasks) list - one of the most comprehensive and most accurate!
"Name or Startup Item" in the table below refers to how an entry is displayed in MSConfig, Windows Defender or the registry "Run" keys. "Command or Data" refers to the program the entry runs. For further information on this and how to identify and disable startup programs please visit the Startup Content page.
For further information on random startup entries please visit the Startup Info page. For the next few months and foreseeable future I'll be verifying many of the Y, U, N & ? entries via virtual machines. If you can verify/identify those entries with a "?" status (especially hardware specific - such as laptops and motherboards) then please E-mail me (address at bottom of the page) or use the new Message Board.
Last update :- 29th October, 2009
19979 items listed
"Status" key:
Variables:
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | dllvirtual.exe | Added by the DADOBRA-IW TROJAN! Note - has a blank entry under the Startup Item/Name field | No | |
| X | dllvirtual.dll | Added by the DADOBRA-IW TROJAN! Note - has a blank entry under the Startup Item/Name field | No | |
| X | dllvirtual.js | Added by the DADOBRA-IW TROJAN! Note - has a blank entry under the Startup Item/Name field | No | |
| (Default) | X | Default.exe | Added by the AUTORUN.BUK WORM! Note - this malware actually changes the value data of the "(Default)" key in HKLM\RunOnce & HKCU\RunOnce in order to force Windows to launch it at boot. The name field in MSConfig may be blank | No |
| 00DSKSVR00 | ? | desksaver.exe saskda | Part of Advanced Desktop Shield, Easy Desktop Keeper, 1st Desktop Guard and Desktop Layout Keeper (and maybe others) - which give you the ability to save, restore, manage and lock your desktop layout that includes files and folders located on your desktop, placement of desktop icons, desired wallpaper and screen saver. The exact purpose of this startup entry is unknown at present | Yes |
| 00DSKSVR01 | U | desksaver.exe tray | System Tray access to Advanced Desktop Shield, Easy Desktop Keeper, 1st Desktop Guard and Desktop Layout Keeper (and maybe others) - which give you the ability to save, restore, manage and lock your desktop layout that includes files and folders located on your desktop, placement of desktop icons, desired wallpaper and screen saver. Disabling via the program's own options will leave this startup entry but it will not run - "desksaver.exe" does however run as it's also used as a service | Yes |
| Absolute Shield | U | dseraser.exe | Absolute Shield Evidence Eliminator - internet history eraser | No |
| Adaptec DirectCD | N | Directcd.exe | DirectCD primarily allows you to drag and drop files onto a suitably formatted CD-RW disc. Unless you use this on a frequent basis it isn't required and is available via Start -> Programs. Start the program before inserting a DirectCD formatted CD-RW in the drive. A re-boot is recommended if you close Adaptec DirectCD before re-opening it again later | No |
| AdaptecDirectCD | N | Directcd.exe | DirectCD primarily allows you to drag and drop files onto a suitably formatted CD-RW disc. Unless you use this on a frequent basis it isn't required and is available via Start -> Programs. Start the program before inserting a DirectCD formatted CD-RW in the drive. A re-boot is recommended if you close Adaptec DirectCD before re-opening it again later | No |
| adi DSndUp | Y | DSndUp.exe | Utility that only runs once after installing the drivers for Analog Devices SoundMax integrated soundcards. It's exact purpose is unknown at the present time but from the filename it's probably used to configure the default or generic speaker arrangement for the system it's used on | Yes |
| Administrator di Dago | X | Dago.exe | Added by the PUNYA-B WORM! | No |
| AdPopup | X | dcf5678.exe | Added by the AGENT-FZ TROJAN! | No |
| AidemHotKey | ? | DVMAIN.EXE | Keyboard related | No |
| Answer Problem | X | dSAFsqs.exe | Added by the SDBOT-SC WORM! | No |
| antidialer.co.uk | U | Dialer_Watcher.exe | Dialer_Watcher is an application that allows you to detect dialers on your computer | No |
| APC UPS Status | Y | Display.exe | APC PowerChute® Personal Edition status icon | No |
| ASDPLUGIN | X | dsldbaccess.exe | AsdPlug premium rate adult content dialer | No |
| ASDPLUGIN | X | dbaccess.exe | AsdPlug premium rate adult content dialer | No |
| ASDPLUGIN | X | dslgeaccess.exe | AsdPlug premium rate adult content dialer | No |
| asdsaxcxz13 | X | dasxcsx13.exe | Added by the LEGMIR-ARF TROJAN! | No |
| ATKMEDIA | U | DMEDIA.EXE | Driver for the media buttons on the front of some Asus laptops, such as Forward,back,stop,pause etc | No |
| au | U | DealioAu.exe | Dealio Toolbar is a free shopping comparison toolbar that allows users to search for a wide range of consumer products | No |
| AudioDrvEmulator | U | DLLML.exe AudDrvEm.dll | Related to Creative DLL Module Loader for the Sound Blaster X-Fi (and maybe others). This program is non-essential process to the running of the system, but should not be terminated unless suspected to be causing problems | No |
| audlmne32 | X | dcmsxe.exe | Added by the MAILBOT-CF TROJAN! | No |
| Auto Update | X | dma.exe | Added by the RBOT-AVO WORM! | No |
| Automatic Defrag Manager | X | defrag.exe | Added by the RBOT-AKE WORM! | No |
| autorepair | X | dexs.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| avidrv | X | drvsc.exe | Detected by Kaspersky as the AGENT.PH TROJAN! | No |
| AvSer | X | dsm.exe | Added by the SERFLOG.B WORM! | No |
| AXIS Print System DriverScanner | U | DriverScanner.exe | Part of AXIS Print System from AXIS Communications - "adds printer discovery, printer driver installation printing on Windows platforms. Printing is enabled by AXIS Print Monitor, which is one of the components. Another component in AXIS Print System is AXIS IP Installer." Now discontinued | No |
| AXIS Print System DriverServer | U | DriverServer.exe | Part of AXIS Print System from AXIS Communications - "adds printer discovery, printer driver installation printing on Windows platforms. Printing is enabled by AXIS Print Monitor, which is one of the components. Another component in AXIS Print System is AXIS IP Installer." Now discontinued | No |
| BayMgr | U | DockApp.exe | Hot-swappable drive management on laptops allowing you to change drives without closing down Windows. Only required if you frequently swap bay devices | No |
| BD | X | dc.exe | Added by the RASDOOR-A TROJAN! | No |
| BMN | X | dcmon.exe | SystemDoctor rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| browser | X | deamon.exe | Added by the TACTSLAY.C TROJAN! | No |
| BTopenworld | U | DialBTYahoo.exe | BT Yahoo! internet connection manager | No |
| caidiysetup | X | diynetsetupuni.exe | DIYNet adware | No |
| Camera Detector | U | DEVDET~*.EXE | ACDSee Auto Device Detector detects when a device is connected to your PC and gives you the option to acquire images from it automatically | No |
| CCD Manager | U | DDS.EXE | Project Labs Century CD manager for their CD/DVD storage device | No |
| Ciodiag | X | DECCONF.EXE | Added by the STRAT.EL TROJAN! | No |
| Cliente DLO | Y | DLOClientu.exe | Part of the backup suites from VERITAS - Backup Exec and NetBackup. Both have now been replaced by their Symantec equivalents since they acquired VERITAS in 2005 | No |
| CLSID | X | dll.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| Cmpnt | X | Devices2.exe | Added by the TOMPAI-D TROJAN! | No |
| Codename Dashboard | U | dashboard.exe | Codename: Dashboard - "an application that resides at the side of your screen. Built on the Microsoft .NET Framework, it is a host for interchangeable components through which C.D. allows you to have any information you want, on your desktop, all the time" | No |
| COM+ Event System | X | DRWTSN16.EXE | Added by the LOVGATE.AB WORM! | No |
| Configuration Loader | X | dosrun32.exe | Added by the GAOBOT.AO WORM! | No |
| Configuration Loader | X | dezi.exe | Added by the SDBOT-OB WORM! | No |
| Configuration Loader | X | DVD-Player.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| Configuration Loader Service | X | devl32.exe | Added by the SDBOT-XY WORM! | No |
| Copernic Desktop Search | N | DesktopSearch.exe | Copernic Desktop Search - "Easily search your entire hard drive in less than a second to pinpoint the right file, e-mail, music or pictures" | No |
Download Alternative Formats
You can download off-line HTML ZIP, EXE and EXCEL ZIP versions of this list from here.
In addition the following files are available for people developing mirrors of the site and using the information presented here (right-click and select "Save Target As..." for IE and "Save Link As..." for Firefox):
Startup XML File - Startup INI File - Startup HTML File
Warning
DISCLAIMER: It is assumed that users are familiar with the operating system they are using and comfortable with making the suggested changes. I will not be held responsible if changes you make cause a system failure.
NOTE: This is NOT a database of tasks/processes taken from Task Manager or the Close Program window (CTRL+ALT+DEL) but a database of startup applications, although you will find some of them listed via this method. Pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL identifies programs that are currently running - not necessarily at startup. For a list of tasks/processes you should try the Process Library from Uniblue, the list at PC Pitstop or one of the many others now available. Therefore, before ending a task/process via CTRL+ALT+DEL just because it has an "X" recommendation, please check whether it's in MSConfig or the registry first. An example would be "svchost.exe" - which doesn't appear in either under normal conditions but does via CTRL+ALT+DEL. If in doubt, don't do anything.
To avoid the database becoming too large, all virus entries are only shown using the registry version which is common to all Windows versions. Otherwise there would be multiple entries for popular filenames that viruses often use - such as "svchost" above for example. Multiple viruses can also use the same startup entries, in this case only those with significant differences (such as file location) are repeated in this database.
NOTE : There are a number of virus and malware entried listed in this database where specific removal instructions haven't been given. If this is the case then you could try SDFix, a program written by AndyManchesta that can remove many different types of Trojans and Worms. See here for a tutorial on how to use the program and here for the latest ReadMe file detailing the fixes included.
IMPORTANT: A number of entries are repeated due to the way that different operating systems display startup items. For example, WinMe lists "POPROXY.EXE" as "Norton eMail Protect" in both MSCONFIG and the registry whereas WinXP lists it as "Poproxy" in MSCONFIG and "Norton eMail Protect" in the registry.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you're looking for a startup manager then why not try WinPatrol (by BillP Studios) or Advanced SystemCare Free (by IObit) - both include the option to search this database for a particular entry. Alternatively try Spybot - Search & Destroy (by Safer Networking Ltd) as the startup programs section (select the Advanced mode) includes descriptions from this database. You might also want to try their RunAlyzer and FileAlyzer tools.
There are an ever increasing number of rogue applications appearing these days and many of the removal guides referenced in this database use MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (which now incorporates the now discontinued RogueRemover).
As there are more than 10,000 entries in this database related to viruses, trojans, worms and other malware I recommend you use a quality internet security package. Which ever you choose, keep it updated.
Free licenses available for Oops! Backup (by Altaro) BETA Testing - Apply online here
Copyright
Presentation, format & comments Copyright © 2001 - 2009 Paul Collins
Portions Copyright © Peter Forrest, Denny Denham, Sylvain Prevost, Tony Klein, CastleCops & Bleeping Computer
Database creation and support by Patrick Kolla
Software support by John Mayer
All rights reserved
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