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? |
|---|
| Bcvsrv32 | X | msxml22.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.AKH WORM! | No |
| Bcvsrv32 | X | msc32.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.AKD WORM! | No |
| Bcvsrv32 | X | msbvd32.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-SR WORM! | No |
| Bcvsrv32 | X | system2.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-PU BACKDOOR! | No |
| BCWipeTM | N | bcwipetm.exe | BCWipe Task Manager - scheduler for BCWipe so that it runs at convenient times. You can set a time for running the task, as well as special options for the task. Run manually when needed | No |
| BD | X | dc.exe | Added by the RASDOOR-A TROJAN! | No |
| BDAgent | Y | bdagent.exe | BitDefender Agent - for BitDefender internet security products. Maintains settings (for all users) and provides alerts and System Tray access to the main program. Note - for the System Tray icon to be displayed the Terminal Services service must be set to either "Manual" or "Automatic". It can also be licensed by other products such as versions of The Shield Deluxe from PCSecurityShield (see here) - who's reputation is poor | Yes |
| bdfger | X | gggasw.exe | Added by the SDBOT-RT WORM! | No |
| BDMCon | Y | Bdmcon.exe | BitDefender antivirus | No |
| BDNewsAgent | Y | bdnagent.exe | BitDefender antivirus - updater | No |
| BDOESRV | Y | bdoesrv.exe | Bitdefender 8 antivirus and firewall | No |
| BDRegion | U | brs.exe | Part of Cyberlink's CyberLink's PowerDVD Blu-ray and DVD player. Allows the user to change the region coding of their player (as long as it isn't hardware coded) up to a maximum of 5 times | Yes |
| BDSwitchAgent | Y | bdswitch.exe | Bitdefender 8 antivirus and firewall | No |
| BDWizReg | Y | bdwizreg.exe | Configuration wizard for BitDefender internet security products. Only runs once the product has been installed. Guides you through the steps necessary to configure the BitDefender modules, applies settings to cover your requirements and security needs and takes the first actions to making your computer virus-free | Yes |
| BearFlix | U | BearFlix.exe | BearFlix is optimized for the fast download of video files | No |
| BearShare | N | bearshare.exe | BearShare file sharing client. Versions known to include spyware - see here | No |
| BeatNik Internet Clock | U | BeatNik.exe | BeatNik Internet Clock is a Windows clock add-on that supports 'skins'. It can also synchronize your computer's clock with an atomic clock | No |
| Beawver | X | saqevre.exe | Added by a variant of the RANKY TROJAN! | No |
| BedreigingsMonitoor | X | pgs.exe | BedreigingsMonitoor rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| Beegees Update | X | beegees.exe | Added by the SDBOT-ADK WORM! | No |
| BEEI | ? | beei.exe | ?? | No |
| BeFaster | U | befaster3.exe | BeFaster internet connection optimization tool | No |
| begins | X | 0.exe | Added by the MYTOB-HE WORM! | No |
| BEHL | ? | BEHL.exe | ?? | No |
| BEHLO | ? | BEHLO.exe | ?? | No |
| beidsystemtray | U | beidsystemtray.exe | Related to Belgium Identity Card card reader | No |
| Belgacom | U | sprtcmd.exe /P Belgacom | Self-help support tool for Belgacom broadband users (provided by SupportSoft, Inc). Identifies and automatically fixes typical problems that may occur with your high-speed internet service | No |
| Belkin F5D8013 N Wireless Notebook Card Utility | U | Belkinwcui.exe | Wireless configuration utility for the Belkin F5D8013 N Wireless Notebook Card | No |
| Belkin F5D8053 N Wireless USB Adapter Utility | U | Belkinwcui.exe | Wireless configuration utility for the Belkin F5D8053 N Wireless USB Adapter | No |
| Belkin F5D8073 N Wireless ExpressCard Adapter Utility | U | Belkinwcui.exe | Wireless configuration utility for the Belkin F5D8073 N Wireless ExpressCard Adapter | No |
| Belkin PCMCIA WLAN Monitor | N | monitorbk.exe | Belkin USB Network Adapter Management utility - can be started manually | No |
| Belkin Wireless G Notebook Card Client Utility | U | Belkinwcui.exe | Wireless configuration utility for the Belkin F5D701F Wireless G Notebook Card | No |
| Belkin Wireless USB Utility | U | Belkinwcui.exe | Wireless configuration utility for the Belkin F5D7050 Wireless G USB Adapter | No |
| Belkin Wireless Utility | U | Belkinwcui.exe | Wireless configuration utility for some Belkin cards such as the F5D7000 Wireless G Desktop Card | No |
| BellSouthAlertManager.exe | U | BellSouthAlertManager.exe | Related to BellSouth Alert Manager | No |
| BelNotify | U | rundll32.exe [path] NPBelv32.dll, RunDll32_BelNotify | "BelTech from Belarc enables licensees to offer automated, Web-based problem resolution to their end-users. BelTech allows the end-user to simply go to a web page and automatically resolve their problem or point them to the right solution. BelTech Manager allows non-programmers to rapidly and easily deploy and maintain this service" | No |
| BELORVBI | ? | BELORVBI.exe | ?? | No |
| Belsta.exe | ? | Belsta.exe | Configuration tool for Belkin wireless network cards. Required to change the card's configuration. Is it required for correct operation once the confuiguration is changed? | No |
| Belt | X | Belt.exe | VX2.Transponder parasite updater/installer related | No |
| Benadril Alert Tool | X | benadrilalert.exe | Plug-in for WeatherBug advising when pollen count in your area is high - prompting you to buy Benadril | No |
| BeschermingsTool | X | SysRep.exe | BeschermingsTool, Dutch rogue system error and cleaning utility - not recommended. A member of the ErrClean family | No |
| BestCrypt Auto Open | U | BestCrypt.exe | BestCrypt from Jetico, Inc. "Keeps your confidential data in a strongly encrypted form on your disk and provides you with transparent access" | No |
| BestPopUpKiller | X | BestPopupKiller.exe | Popup killer by Swanksoft - not recommended, see here | No |
| BestsellerAntivirus | X | pgs.exe | BestsellerAntivirus rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| BestSync 2008 | U | BestSyncApp.exe | System Tray access to BestSync® 2008 from Risefly Software - "a professional utility for synchronizing files between your local folders and Network Drives, FTP servers, Removable Media (such as an USB disk)" | No |
| BeSys | X | [path to file] | BeSys adware | No |
| beta | X | svchost.exe | Added by a variant of the DELF.IT TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate svchost.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! The location of this file varies | No |
| BF4P | X | bf4p.exe | Added by the IRCBOT.GEN WORM! | No |
| bfxtray | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the AGENT-GEB TROJAN! | No |
| bg | Y | bullguard.exe | Bullguard antivirus and firewall. The P2P version is free with KaZaA Media Desktop and Grokster | No |
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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