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? |
|---|
| BlockWatcher | X | BlockWatcher.exe | BlockWatcher rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here. A member of the WiniGuard family | No |
| BLOG | U | rundll32.exe [path] BatLogEx.DLL,StartBattLog | Part of the Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features set for some IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad notebooks. This entry logs changes in battery conditions such as charging, discharging, life, etc | Yes |
| blsloader | U | blsloader.exe | BellSouth ISP Internet Tools | No |
| blss | X | blss.exe | Added by the BLARUL TROJAN! | No |
| BLSTAPP | N | blstapp.exe | Puts access to Creative's BlasterControl in the System Tray | No |
| Blubster | N | Blubster.exe | Related to Blubster Music sharing service | No |
| Blue Frog | U | bluefrog.exe | Blue Frog by Blue Security Inc. - actively fights spam by posting complaints on the sites advertised by the spam you receive | No |
| Blue Service | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the BANCOS-BCW TROJAN! | No |
| BlueLight_uoltray | ? | exec.exe | Related to BlueLight Internet. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| BlueSoleil | U | BLUESO~1.EXE | BlueSoleil Bluetooth wireless manager from IVT Corporation | No |
| BlueSpace NE | U | BlueSpaceNE.exe | "BlueSpace NE is a utility program used to run the Bluetooth function on VAIO computers that support the Bluetooth function or on VAIO computers connected to the Bluetooth USB adapter". Shortcut available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Bluetooth Config | X | btwindin32.exe | Added by the SDBOT-DFN WORM! | No |
| Bluetooth Connection Assistant | U | LBTWiz.exe | Bluetooth connection manager for Logitech based bluetooth wireless products | No |
| Bluetooth HCI Monitor | ? | RunDll32 HCIMNTR.DLL,RunCheckHCIMode | Related to the Bluetooth short-range wireless communications technology. For more information on Bluetooth see here. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| BluetoothAuthenticationAgent | U | rundll32.exe irprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent | If your system has Bluetooth (either integrated or via an adapter) and use's Microsoft's support software/drivers, this entry is required in order to successfully "pair" your system with a Bluetooth device (such as a mobile phone, PDA, headset) using this wireless protocol (via a PIN). Should you get the error message, "Rundll irprops.cpl missing entry Bluetooth authentication agent", click here for more information | Yes |
| BluetoothAuthenticationAgent | U | rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent | If your system has Bluetooth (either integrated or via an adapter) and use's Microsoft's support software/drivers, this entry is required in order to successfully "pair" your system with a Bluetooth device (such as a mobile phone, PDA, headset) using this wireless protocol (via a PIN) | Yes |
| blueyonder Instant Support Tool | U | matcli.exe | Blueyonder Instant Support Tool. "matcli.exe is a motive Assistant Command line interface that gathers information about your system's identity like your name email address, city, state, etc and gets written to a log file". Blueyonder Instant Support Tool is required to run with the Help and Support program. If you uncheck it and then run Help and Support it will add another in the startup menu. If you remove Blueyonder Instant Support Tool via add/remove programs some menus in help and support will not be available. You decide | No |
| bm | X | bm.exe | Part of the AVSystemCare rogue security software and other members of this family. See here for more examples | No |
| BMail Installation | N | FTP_back.exe | Part of iMesh - a file sharing system. Reported by Norton AntiVirus as a trojan. Once deleted does not prevent file sharing working. Older versions of iMesh re-instate this but the newer versions do not | No |
| Bman | X | BMan1.exe | Abcsearch.com/DealHelper adware variant | No |
| BMMGAG | U | RunDll32 [path] pwrmonit.dll,StartPwrMonitor | Part of the Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features set for some IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad notebooks. This entry displays the battery gauge icon in the Taskbar (not the System Tray). Provides shortcuts to the proprietary power saving settings and to a battery information window | Yes |
| BMMLREF | N | BMMLREF.EXE | Part of the Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features set for some IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad notebooks. The purpose of this entry is unknown at present. It doesn't normally appear to be running if left enabled at startup and it doesn't run if the Battery MaxiMiser Wizard is open - hence the "N" status | Yes |
| BMMLREF.EXE | N | BMMLREF.EXE | Part of the Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features set for some IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad notebooks. The purpose of this entry is unknown at present. It doesn't normally appear to be running if left enabled at startup and it doesn't run if the Battery MaxiMiser Wizard is open - hence the "N" status | Yes |
| BMMMONWND | U | rundll32.exe [path] BatInfEx.dll,BMMAutonomicMonitor | Part of the Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features set for some IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad notebooks. This entry is needed for the battery information and monitoring program as well as the Battery Maximizer Wizard | Yes |
| BMN | X | bm.exe | Part of VirtualPCGuard, VirusGuardPlus and other members of the AVSystemCare family of rogue security software suites. See here for more examples | No |
| BMN | X | strpmon.exe | Part of CleanPCTool, CleanupTool and other members of the ErrClean rogue system error and cleaning utility and other members of this family. See here for more examples | No |
| BMN | X | dcmon.exe | SystemDoctor rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| BMO MasterCard Wallet | U | EWALLET.EXE | The wallet conveniently stores billing, shipping and payment information on your PC | No |
| Bmonq | X | bmonq.exe | Added by the CLICKER.HZ TROJAN! | No |
| BMupdate | N | BMupdate.exe | Related to the BookmarkCentral entry. Typically added after downloading drivers for Visioneer scanners for example, and you install the driver self-install | No |
| bmw | X | bmw.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.BBV BACKDOOR! | No |
| bmz | X | bmz.exe | 180Search adware | No |
| Bndt32 | X | Bndt32.exe | Added by the LACON WORM! | No |
| Bnexe | X | [random filename] | Added by the KITRO.D (or ARGEN.A) WORM! | No |
| BO1HelperStartUp | U | BO1HEL~1.EXE | ScreenScenes "Butterfly Oasis" screensaver. The freeware version comes with GAIN branded ads (pop-ups and others). ScreenScenes do however offer you the option of doing away with the ads by purchasing the screensaver for a whopping $30. Please note that Claria Corporation no longer support GAIN-Supported software - see here | No |
| BO1HelperStartUp | U | Bo1helper.exe | ScreenScenes "Butterfly Oasis" screensaver. The freeware version comes with GAIN branded ads (pop-ups and others). ScreenScenes do however offer you the option of doing away with the ads by purchasing the screensaver for a whopping $30. Please note that Claria Corporation no longer support GAIN-Supported software - see here | No |
| Boarddata | X | [path] repcale.exe [path] palsp.exe | Added by a variant of the RANDON.AN WORM! Both files are often located in %System% | No |
| boat32 | X | boat32.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| boby | X | csrs.scr | Added by the BANCBAN-PC TROJAN! | No |
| boby | X | netburn.scr | Added by the BANCBAN-OX TROJAN! | No |
| boby. | X | Isass.scr | Added by the BANCBAN-OH TROJAN! | No |
| BOC-412 | Y | BOC412.exe | NSClean (now Comodo) BOClean anti-malware software - "Protect yourself from online identity theft. The greatest threat on the Internet today is having your personal information hijacked remotely". Version 4.12 | No |
| BOC-420 | Y | BOC420.exe | NSClean (now Comodo) BOClean anti-malware software - "Protect yourself from online identity theft. The greatest threat on the Internet today is having your personal information hijacked remotely". Version 4.20 | No |
| BOC-421 | Y | BOC421.exe | NSClean (now Comodo) BOClean anti-malware software - "Protect yourself from online identity theft. The greatest threat on the Internet today is having your personal information hijacked remotely". Version 4.21 | No |
| BOC-422 | Y | BOC422.exe | NSClean (now Comodo) BOClean anti-malware software - "Protect yourself from online identity theft. The greatest threat on the Internet today is having your personal information hijacked remotely". Version 4.22 | No |
| BOC-423 | Y | BOC423.exe | Comodo BOClean anti-malware software - "Protect yourself from online identity theft. The greatest threat on the Internet today is having your personal information hijacked remotely". Version 4.23 | No |
| BOC-424 | Y | BOC424.exe | Comodo BOClean anti-malware software - "Protect yourself from online identity theft. The greatest threat on the Internet today is having your personal information hijacked remotely". Version 4.24 | No |
| BOC-425 | Y | BOC425.exe | Comodo BOClean anti-malware software - "Protect yourself from online identity theft. The greatest threat on the Internet today is having your personal information hijacked remotely". Version 4.25 | No |
| BOC-426 | Y | BOC426.exe | Comodo BOClean anti-malware software - "Protect yourself from online identity theft. The greatest threat on the Internet today is having your personal information hijacked remotely". Version 4.26 | No |
| BOC-427 | Y | BOC427.exe | Comodo BOClean anti-malware software - "Protect yourself from online identity theft. The greatest threat on the Internet today is having your personal information hijacked remotely". Version 4.27 | 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