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? |
|---|
| BTUSRBDGF | Y | BtUsrBdg.exe | Used with a Mitsumi USB Bluetooth adaptor (and maybe others) | No |
| BTV | X | btv.exe | BroadcastPC adware | No |
| BtvC | X | btvclean.exe | BroadcastPC adware | No |
| Bubble | Y | Bubble.exe | Added by Windows SteadyState which "helps make it easy for you to keep your computers running the way you want them to, no matter who uses them." Bubble allows notification messages to appear on a computer managed by Windows SteadyState | No |
| Buddyizer | N | Buddyizer.exe | Part of the AIMster Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing application that runs over the AOL Instant Messenger network | No |
| BudgetSip | N | BudgetSip.exe | BudgetSip - internet telephony utility using the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Call online friends for free and regular phones either for free (limited use) or low rates. One of a number provided by Betamax - the others generally have different rate plans. Similar to the more popular Skype | Yes |
| BUFFALO Power Save Utility for HD | U | HDManage.exe | Power Save utility for Buffalo backup hard discs | No |
| Bug Eliminator | N | Bug_Elim.exe | Bug Eliminator - "performs a complete health check on your computer safely, securely, and silently!" | No |
| BugsDestroyer | X | SysRep.exe | BugsDestroyer rogue system error and cleaning utility - not recommended. A member of the ErrClean family | No |
| bugwatcher service | U | bugwatcher.exe | Bugtoaster is a service that sends reports on system/program crashes (certain types) back to Bugtoaster. They relay information to program authors and provide, if available, any known solutions to the crashes. It doesn't take up any room in memory, just activates in the event of certain program failures | No |
| BuildBU | N | bldbubg.exe | Part of Dell Alerts which provides customers with an update on latest updates for his/her system | No |
| BuildLab | X | services.exe | Added by the NEVEG.B or NEVEG.C WORMS! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| BuildLab | X | winlogon.exe | Added by the NEVEG.A WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate winlogon.exe process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| BuildLabs | X | csrss.exe | Added by the WEBUS TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| BuildLabs | X | lsass.exe | Added by the WEBUS.B TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate lsass.exe process which should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| Bulldog Service | U | upsd.exe | Belkin's Bulldog Plus control software which runs under Windows 95 or later and monitors the UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) via a serial or USB link | No |
| BulletProof FTP Server | N | bpftpserver.exe | BulletProof FTP Server | No |
| BullGuard | Y | mgui.exe | Part of Bullguard antivirus | No |
| BullGuard | Y | BullGuard.exe | Part of BullGuard antivirus | No |
| BullGuard Update | U | avxlive.exe | Part of Bullguard antivirus. Leave enabled unless you manually update virus definitions | No |
| BullGuard XComm | Y | XCOMMSVR.EXE | Part of Bullguard antivirus | No |
| BullGuardInit | Y | AVXINIT.EXE | Part of Bullguard antivirus | No |
| BullguardoptIn | Y | bulldownload.exe | Part of Bullguard antivirus | No |
| BullsEye | X | bargains.exe | BargainBuddy adware | No |
| BullsEye Network | X | bargains.exe | BargainBuddy adware | No |
| BullsEye Tracker | ? | BeTrack.exe | Bullseye - intelligent research assistant | No |
| Bunx | X | beagle.exe | Added by the LEBREAT-E WORM! | No |
| buritos | X | buritos.exe | Identified as a variant of the Downloader.FraudLoad.C malware | No |
| BurnQuick Queue | N | BQTray.exe | System Tray access to BurnQuick CD burning software. Only required if you use the queueing facility, hence the U recommendation. Create your own desktop shortcut to start manually | No |
| Button Server | U | bttnserv.exe | Found on a Compaq PC, for the extra buttons on the keyboard for the speaker volume, media player, sleep and internet buttons. If the buttons aren't used on the keyboard or your's doesn't have them, then it isn't required | No |
| ButtonKey | N | ButtonKey.exe | CyberView TWAIN driver for the Pacific Image range of 35mm film scanners. Enables the one touch scanning button and places an icon an the System Tray. Use your scanners software or run it manually by creating a shortcut | No |
| Buzme | N | Bmui.exe | Buzme by RingCentral, Inc - internet call waiting. Intercepts telephone calls like an answering machine and plays the voice message on your PC. Only required when you're on-line and via dial-up modem | No |
| BuzMe | U | RCUI.exe | Display Client for the BuzMe Internet Call Waiting Service | No |
| Buzof.exe | U | buzof.exe | Buzof from Basta Computing "enables you to automatically answer, close or minimize virtually any recurring window including messages, prompts, and dialog boxes" | No |
| BVWORSFM | X | bvworsfm.exe | Added by the DLUCA-AD TROJAN! | No |
| Bwddwss | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the RANKY.BD TROJAN! | No |
| bwprnmon.exe | N | bwprnmon.exe | FaxServe network fax software | No |
| bxproxy | X | bxproxy.exe | Added by the BXPROXY TROJAN! | No |
| bxproxy | X | [random].dll | SoftStop rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| bxsx5 | X | RunDLL32.EXE bsx5.dll, DllRun | BookedSpace parasite. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "bsx5.dll" file is located in the Winnt or Windows folder | No |
| bxxs5 | X | RunDLL32.EXE bxxs5.dll, dllrun | BookedSpace parasite. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "bxxs5.dll" file is located in the Winnt or Windows folder | No |
| Bymer.Scanner | X | Wininit.exe | Added by the BYMER WORM! | No |
| Bymer.Scanner | X | Msinit.exe | Added by the BYMER WORM! | No |
| BySoft FreeRAM | U | FreeRAM.exe | "Bysoft FreeRAM is a program that frees up ram manually or automatically. It shows current memory status , memory load and CPU usage graphically". MS MVPs (Most Valued Professional) recommend not using memory managers with Win98/SE/ME. See this article and make up your own mind | No |
| c | X | c:\archiv~1\win.com | Added by the CUYDOC TROJAN! | No |
| C-Media Echo Control | U | EchoCtrl.exe | C-Media produce audio chipsets that are often found on popular motherboards with on-board audio. You may need it if you use the echo control feature of C-Media Mixer
| No |
| C-Media Mixer | N | Mixer.exe | C-Media produce audio chipsets that are often found on popular motherboards with on-board audio. Provides System Tray access to change audio settings. Available via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel or Start -> Programs | No |
| C2K | U | CYB2K.EXE | CYBERsitter 2000 or 2001 - anti-adult content filter primarily. Required if you want the sites you visit filtered without having to load the software every time you launch your browser | No |
| c32cs2 | U | c32cs2.exe | Cyber Sentinel - internet filtering software | No |
| C7 | X | [path to worm] | Added by the MEDIAKILL.A WORM! | No |
|
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