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:
- "Y" - Normally leave to run at start-up
- "N" - Not required or not recommended - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary
- "U" - User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary
- "X" - Definitely not required - typically viruses, spyware, adware and "resource hogs"
- "?" - Unknown
Variables:
- %System% - refers to the System folder; by default this is C:\Windows\System (9x/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (NT/2K), or C:\Windows\System32 (XP/Vista)
- %Windir% - refers to the Windows installation folder; by default this is C:\Windows (9x/Me/XP/Vista) or C:\Winnt (NT/2K)
- %UserProfile% - refers to the current user's profile folder; by default this is C:\Documents and Settings\ (NT/2K/XP) or C:\Users\ (Vista)
- %ProgramFiles% - refers to the Program Files folder; typically the path is C:\Program Files
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| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|
| AUTORUN_VAL | X | asc 2.1.exe | AntiSpyCheck rogue spyware remover - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AutoShutdown | ? | pssvc.exe | Utility to fix vCard Export in MS Outlook 2000 - although why are these together? | No |
| AutoSizer | U | AUTOSIZER.EXE | AutoSizer - utility that automatically maximizes windows when they're opened | No |
| AutoSpell | N | autospel.exe | AutoSpell - spell checker (version 6.*) | No |
| AutoSpell 5 | N | ASWATC32.EXE | AutoSpell - spell checker | No |
| AutoSys | U | autosys.exe | Winguardian surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| autotbar | N | autotbar.exe | If you disable the HP VIEW toolbar in IE and rearrange the toolbars on a reboot they will be back as they were before if this is left enabled | No |
| AutoTKit | N | AUTOTKIT.EXE | On HP PC's. Unclear what purpose it serves - but there's a known issue with Internet Explorer Toolbar settings not being saved with it enabled | No |
| autoupd | N | autoupd.exe | Raxco Software Auto Update utility."Used to keep your software up-to-date" | No |
| autoupd | X | autoupd.exe | Added by an unidentified VIRUS, WORM or TROJAN! - found in a folder of the same name | No |
| autoupdate | X | rundll32 DATADX.DLL,SHStart | Added by a variant of the QOOLOGIC TROJAN! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "DATADX.DLL" file is found in %System% | No |
| autoupdate | X | rundll32 SUPDATE.DLL,SHStart | Added by a variant of the QOOLOGIC TROJAN! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "SUPDATE.DLL" file is found in %System% | No |
| AutoUpdate | X | smss.exe | Added by WINSPY.88! Note - this is not the legitimate smss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%\debug64 | No |
| Autoupdate Service | X | kaka.exe | Added by the SYMPE-B TROJAN! | No |
| Autoupdate Service | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the AGENT-CB TROJAN! | No |
| AutoUpdate32 | X | services.exe | Added by WINSPY.88! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%\debug64 | No |
| AutoUpdater | X | aupdate.exe | Tinybar variant | No |
| AutoUpdater | X | AutoUpdate.exe | PeopleonPage foistware | No |
| autoupdatev2 | X | [path to file] | Added by the DROPPER-BM TROJAN! | No |
| autoupdatev2 | X | autoupdatev2.exe | Detected by Kaspersky as the AGENT.FQ TROJAN! | No |
| AutoVirusProtection | X | ciscv.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| auto__antiav__key | X | antiav_exe.exe | Added by the BAGLEDI-AA TROJAN! | No |
| auto__hloader__key | X | hloader_exe.exe | Added by the BAGLE.AB TROJAN! | No |
| aux.exe | X | aux.exe | Added by the ZINS TROJAN! | No |
| auxAudioDevice | X | aux32.exe | Added by the AIZU WORM! | No |
| AUXXTRAY | N | au30setp.exe | System Tray application for Aureal Vortex based soundcards. Can be run manually via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel | No |
| AV | X | UPDATE-28062004.exe[25 blank spaces].vbs | Added by the MIDFIN WORM! | No |
| av | X | expressav.exe | Express Antivirus 2009 rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AV AntiSpyware | X | ava.exe | AV AntiSpyware rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AV Care | X | AvCare.exe | AvCare rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AV Client | X | patch31345.exe | Added by the MYDOOM.AD WORM! | No |
| AV Industry | X | patch31345.exe | Added by the MYDOOM.AD WORM! | No |
| AV UpDate | X | Update.exe | Added by the FUROOT-A TROJAN! | No |
| AvaFind | N | AvaFind.exe | AvaFind file search utility | No |
| AVantivirus | X | Avconsol.exe | Added by the MSNVB-D WORM! | No |
| avast | X | troyan.exe | Added by the SMALL.CZ TROJAN! | No |
| Avast! | Y | ashserv.exe | Part of Avast! anti-virus software | No |
| avast! | Y | ashDisp.exe | System Tray access to and notifications for avast! Antivirus - giving left-click access to the On-Access Scanner, right-click access to other options and event notifications | Yes |
| avast! Antivirus | Y | ashDisp.exe | System Tray access to and notifications for avast! Antivirus - giving left-click access to the On-Access Scanner, right-click access to other options and event notifications | Yes |
| avast! Web Scanner | Y | Ashwebsv.exe | Part of Avast! anti-virus software | No |
| Avast32 | Y | Astart32.exe | Part of Avast! anti-virus software | No |
| avc | X | avmon.exe | Added by an unidentified TROJAN! | No |
| AvconsoleEXE | U | Avconsol.exe | From McAfee VirusScan up to version 4.x and Dr Solomon's VirusScan. Used to schedule regular scans. If you don't have scans scheduled you don't need it | No |
| Avengine | X | Avengine.com | Added by the DELF.LJ TROJAN! | No |
| AveoAttune | X | atmdlusr.exe | Aveo Attune automated helpdesk software - adware/spyware | No |
| AVFX Engine | U | StartFX.exe | Advanced Video FX - supported by a number of Creative Web Cameras. "Have more fun by adding a wide range of special effects and backgrounds to your video chat with Advanced Video FX" | No |
| AvG | X | svchost323.exe | Added by the RBOT-ZA WORM! | No |
| AVG Anti-Virus system | Y | avgcc.exe | AVG Anti-Virus 7.0 Control Center. Allows you to manage and control all AVG Anti-Virus components, settings and updates | No |
| Avg Antivirus | X | icpldrvx.exe | Added by the BANKER.BYU TROJAN! | No |
| AVG AntiVirus Scanner | X | avgscnx.exe | Added by the SILLYFDC.BBE WORM! Note - this is not a legitimate AVG entry | No |
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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
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
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