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 :- 31st August
21939 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? |
|---|
| Atomic Time Synchronizer | U | TimeSync.exe | TimeSync - lets you synchronize your computer's clock with any internet atomic clock | No |
| Atomic-x27 | X | Atomic-x27.exe | Added by the KATOMIK-A WORM! | No |
| Atomic-x27C | X | AtomicpartC.exe | Added by the KATOMIK-A WORM! | No |
| Atomic.exe | U | Atomic.exe | Atomic Clock Sync - synchronizes your computer's time with the NIST time server | No |
| Atomica | N | atomica.exe | Atomica runs from the System Tray and allows the user to find out more about a word or phrase on any screen by pointing at it with the mouse and clicking button one while holding down the Alt key | No |
| AtomicTime | U | ATOMICTIME.EXE | AtomicTime - utility that synchronizes your PC clock to an atomic clock | No |
| AtomSync | U | atomsync.exe | AtomSync - "this NTP client synchronizes your PC clock with an internet atomic time server or with a time server on your LAN" | Yes |
| Atrack | U | atrack.exe | New feature of Norton Internet Security (NIS) and Norton Personal Firewall (NPF) 3.0 is the Alert Tracker, an instant notification feature. The Alert Tracker displays information about events as they happen. This way, when a rule has been triggered or an access to the Internet made, you know about it immediately rather than finding out about it when you check your logs or notice that the NIS icon indicates a security alert | No |
| Atray | U | Atray.exe | Active Tray is a utility which lets you configure the system tray. You can also create your own tray icons | No |
| ATSpooler | U | AppsTraka.exe | DeskTopScout keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! | No |
| ATTBroadbandUpdate | U | SAUpdate.exe | Big Brother from Quest Software. System and network monitor | No |
| ATTRedUpdate | U | AutoUpdate.exe | Additional item added to start-ups after AT&T took over the now bankrupt Excite@home high-speed internet service. Included for automatically downloading and installing updates. Leave it unless you plan to regularly run it to check for updates | No |
| AttuneClientEngine | X | attune_ce.exe | Aveo Attune automated helpdesk software - adware/spyware | No |
| AttuneContentUpdater | X | attune_cu.exe | Aveo Attune automated helpdesk software - adware/spyware | No |
| AttuneDiscovery | X | attune_di.exe | Aveo Attune automated helpdesk software - adware/spyware | No |
| Attunel | X | Attunel.exe | Aveo Attune automated helpdesk software - adware/spyware | No |
| AttuneSystray | X | attune_st.exe | Aveo Attune automated helpdesk software - adware/spyware | No |
| aTuner | N | atuner.exe | aTuner - tweak tool for GeForce based graphics cards | No |
| atwtusb | Y | atwtusb.exe | USB interface for Aiptek Graphics Tablet (USB) | No |
| AtxBrw | X | Iexplor.exe | "Pop Marketing" adware | 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 |
| AU Agent | U | AUagent.exe | Au Agent from Zilab Software. Win2K/NT enhancement tool. Allows you to run applications under any security context without closing the whole logon session to process a new logon | No |
| au.exe | X | au.exe | Added by the BEAGLE.B WORM! | No |
| AUCBPNP | Y | aucbnpn.exe | Adaptec USB CardBus Safe-Eject - driver for the Adaptec USB 2.0 CardBus which provides USB 2.0 ports for laptop users via a PCMCIA card slot | No |
| Aucompat | X | Aucompat.exe | Added by the GEMA TROJAN! | No |
| Audcntr | X | audcntr.exe | Added by the GEMA TROJAN! | No |
| AudCtrl | ? | RunDll32 AudCtrl.dll, RCMonitor | Audio control panel? | No |
| audi32 | X | audi32.exe | Added by the RANCK-FL TROJAN! | No |
| AUDIO | X | SOUND.exe | Added by the PLOYB-A TROJAN! | No |
| Audio Device Manager | X | winfp.exe | Added by the IRCBOT-XS WORM! | No |
| Audio Device Manager | X | WinNT.exe | Added by the IRCBOT.USP BACKDOOR! | No |
| Audio Device Manager | X | WNDXP.exe | Added by the IRCBOT.AJL BACKDOOR! | No |
| Audio Device Manager | X | sfhgj.exe | Added by the IRCBOT-ZA BACKDOOR! | No |
| Audio HD Driver | X | [random.exe] | Added by the AGENT-OAL TROJAN! | No |
| audiocfg.exe | X | audiocfg.exe | Added by the VB.ATE WORM! | No |
| Audiocntl | X | audiocntl.exe | Added by a variant of the CRYPTER.C TROJAN! | No |
| AudioCommander | N | AudioCommander.exe | System Tray access to the AudioCommander user interface for Andrea USB devices - including features such as noise cancellation, graphic equalizer, echo Cancellation and beam forming | Yes |
| AudioCommander Application | N | AudioCommander.exe | System Tray access to the AudioCommander user interface for Andrea USB devices - including features such as noise cancellation, graphic equalizer, echo Cancellation and beam forming. This entry is taken from the XP version of Windows Defender | Yes |
| AudioCommanderVista | N | AudioCommander.exe | System Tray access to the AudioCommander user interface for Andrea USB devices - including features such as noise cancellation, graphic equalizer, echo Cancellation and beam forming. This entry is taken from the registry "Run" key in the Vista version | Yes |
| AudioDeck | N | ADeck.exe | ADeck.exe is a system tray application for VIA's sound cards which offers quick access to a number of sound card related items | No |
| Audiodrv | X | audiodrv.exe | Added by the CRYPTER-C TROJAN! | 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 |
| AudioHQ | N | Ahqtb.exe | For Creative Soundblaster Live! series soundcards. System tray application for SB Live! functions. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| AudioHQ | X | audiohq.exe | Added by the BANKER-EHK TROJAN! | No |
| AudioHQU | N | AHQTBU.EXE | System Tray application installed with the drivers for Creative Labs SoundBlaster Live! Can be run from Start -> Programs
| No |
| audioinf | X | audioinf.exe | Added by a variant of the CRYPTER.C TROJAN! | No |
| AudioMan | X | Explorer.sm1 | Added by the HUPIGON.IFZ BACKDOOR! | No |
| audlmne32 | X | dcmsxe.exe | Added by the MAILBOT-CF TROJAN! | No |
| Audoi Device Loader | X | smssv.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-ZY WORM! | No |
| augmsg | X | AUGMSG.EXE | Added by the SPYBOT-CO WORM! | No |
|
The following files are available for people developing mirrors of the site and using the information presented here:
Startup XML File - Startup INI File - Startup HTML File
For IE users, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As..." - note that for the INI and HTML files the suggested filename will be "startuplist.htm" and you'll have to rename them "startuplist.ini" and "startuplist.html" respectively.
For Firefox users, I recommend downloading the zipped versions from here. Otherwise, you'll have to open the file and save it - which can take a long time due to the size.
NOTE: These downloads are password protected and free to anyone producing a mirror or free utility. If you produce a commercial/shareware utility please contact me to discuss options. If you don't fall into any of these categories and want to download any of these files you will need to either make a donation of $15/year or more via PayPal (or E-mail me) and you will be provided with the login details which will change at the beginning of each year. The donation will go towards researching new and existing entries for the database and creating these files. Since making these files available for download they've been available free of charge and downloaded thousands of times. I believe they are unique as to my knowledge, no similar site offers such a resource as the lists they offer are on-line only.
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.
Presentation, format & comments Copyright © 2001 - 2010 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