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? |
|---|
| CertReg | U | certreg.exe | Related to Gemplus Card Reader
| No |
| CertStoreInit | Y | CertStoreInit | Aladdin eToken authentication and password management | No |
| certtool | Y | certtool.exe | Part of Client Security Software for IBM\Lenovo notebooks. If you have configured the software via the associated wizard this will need to be running if you want to mount password protected areas of the disk (created with SafeGuard PrivateDisk), use the password manager or file/folder encryption options | Yes |
| CesarFTP FTP Server | N | server.exe | CesarFTPd - FTP server | No |
| cesmain.dll | X | Rundll32.exe [path] cmail.dll, Rundll32 | CnsMin (Chinese Keywords) hijacker related. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted | No |
| CEventMgr | X | Cell.exe | Added by the BIFROSE-AK TROJAN! | No |
| CFD | N | CFD.exe | BroadJump Client Foundation. Broadband troubleshooting software installed by various companies. Not required and you can remove it via Add/Remove programs | No |
| CFDStart | X | WinMuschi.exe | WINMUSCHI dialler | No |
| cfFncEnabler.exe | N | cfFncEnabler.exe | Toshiba "Config Free" wireless network manager on their range of laptops | No |
| cfgboost | X | cfgboot.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| cfgintpr | Y | cfgintpr.exe | Configuration Interpreter - part of Tiny Personal Firewall V4 | No |
| cfgmgr51 | X | RunDLL32.EXE cfgmgr51.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 "cfgmgr51.dll" file is located in %Windir% | No |
| cfgmgr52 | X | RunDLL32.EXE cfgmgr52.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 "cfgmgr52.dll" file is located in %Windir% | No |
| cfgwiz | N | cfgwiz.exe | Introduced with Norton Anti-Virus 2002, this is a real resource hog. Many NAV users will find they can live without loading it | No |
| CFi ShellToys Utility Manager | U | CFiShlMan.exe | Manager for CFi ShellToys from Cool Focus International Ltd - which "puts all the tools you need right where you need them - just a click away on your context menu. Right-click one or more files or folders, the desktop or the window background for instant access to 50 context-sensitive shell extensions" | No |
| cFosDNT | ? | cFosDNT.exe | cFos DSL Modem driver related. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| cFosInst_Check | ? | cfosinst.exe | cFos DSL Modem driver related. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| cFosSpeed | U | cFosSpeed.exe | cFos Software Internet acceleration program related. Note - may be necessary for the software to work properly | No |
| CFSServ.exe | U | CFSServ.exe | Belongs to Toshiba's configfree utility and searches for Wireless Devices | No |
| cftmon | X | sfcmonit.exe | Added by a variant of the AGENT.ERG TROJAN! | No |
| cftmon | X | WindowsUpdate.exe | Added by the AGENT.AQK BACKDOOR! | No |
| cftmon32 | X | taskmgr*.exe [* = number] | Added by the SOWSAT.C and SOWSAT.J WORMS! | No |
| Cftmon32 | X | afd.exe | Added by the AUTORUN-AUB WORM! The "afd.exe" file is located in %Windir% | No |
| Cftmon32 | X | afd.exe | Added by the SCAR.AYWK TROJAN! The "afd.exe" file is located in %AppData% | No |
| cfy | X | cfy.exe | Surfenhance.com SearchForIt adware variant | No |
| CGI Firewall Script | X | CGIAGENT.EXE | Added by the BROPIA-U WORM! | No |
| CGServer | U | cgserver.exe | Associated with an Eicon Networks ISDN or ADSL modem. Call Guard Server (CGserver) watches your modem and blocks incoming or outgoing calls. You need cgard.exe (from Startmenu) to configure cgserver with rules and telephone numbers. Good against unwanted dialer programs | No |
| Cgtask Services | X | cgtask.exe | Added by the LALA.B TROJAN! | No |
| Cgywin | X | cgywin32.exe | Added by the RBOT-AEI WORM! | No |
| ChamClock | U | ChamClock.exe | Chameleon Clock - system tray clock replacement | No |
| change-me-now | X | msgfix1.exe | Added by the SDBOT.ZD WORM! | No |
| ChangeICON | U | SPMSMON.EXE | Card reader related program. Note - may cause problems with My Computer loading at startup. Disabling through MsConfig seems to solve the problem | No |
| ChangeLines | ? | chngline.exe | ?? | No |
| ChansonsMP3 | X | rundll32.exe MSA64CHK.dll,DllMostrar | MatrixDialer/Mostrar parasite. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "MSA64CHK.dll" file is located in %System% | No |
| Charter High-Speed Security Suite | Y | fspex.exe | Charter High-Speed Security Suite - security software in collaboration with F-Secure | No |
| Chat login | X | chatlogin.exe | Added by the ANTINNY.F WORM! | No |
| Chatango | N | Chatango.exe | Chatango - "allows people to be connected in real time through their Web browsers. Include your Chatango contact link or button when you create eBay auctions, blogs, personal websites, Friendster profiles, and your visitors will be able to contact you instantly, without downloading anything, or registering. Alo use it to send email to your friends, allowing them to respond to you in real time!." The 'MessageCatcher' icon in the System Tray notifies you when you get a message. When you get a message, a little alert pops up, which you can click on and start chatting immediately | No |
| ChatStat | U | ChatStat.exe | ChatStat from ChatStat Technologies, Inc. Provides live chat assistance in up to 16 languages allows your operators to be more productive | No |
| Chcenter | N | chcenter.exe | IMSI HiJaak - "the easiest way to convert, capture, and manage all your graphic files" | No |
| Chckup | X | Netverchk.exe | Covert Sys Exec malware variant | No |
| chcp.exe | X | chcp.exe | Added by the SDBOT.BMH BACKDOOR! | No |
| che32 | X | che.ocx.vbs | Added by the ADENU-B VIRUS! | No |
| Cheatle | X | GigaByte.exe | Added by the SHODI.B VIRUS! | No |
| cheatmonitor | U | start.exe | CheatMonitor surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| Check | X | Check.exe | Added by the VB-DRN WORM! | No |
| Check for One Touch Update | N | wiseupdt.exe | Checks for updates for Visioneer OneTouch scanners | No |
| Check for TWS Updates | N | WiseUpdt.exe | Interactive Brokers - check for update to their standalone Java-based trading platform | No |
| Check Messenger | U | cmesseng.exe | Check Messenger from Qchex.com - program that helps you manage the activity of your Qchex account. Qchex appear to be no longer in buisness | No |
| Check&Get | U | Check&Get.exe | Check&Get from ActiveURLs. Manages your browser bookmarks and favorites. Monitors Web sites for changes and updates, captures and highlights the changed contents | No |
| CheckCustomWorksUpdate | N | CheckCWupdate.exe | Update checker, part of CustomWorks - "customize any embroidery designs to design your own unique creations" | 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