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? |
|---|
| D-Link Air Utility | Y | AirCFG.exe | D-Link wireless PCI adapter related | No |
| D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ Utility | N | WLANMON.exe | D-Link Air Plus Wireless PC modem connection monitor | No |
| D-Link AirPlus G | Y | AirGCFG.exe | D-Link Airplus Wireless Router driver | No |
| D-Link AirPlus G Wireless Utility | Y | AirPlus.exe | D-Link AirPlus G wireless configuration and monitoring utility | No |
| D-Link AirPlus XtremeG | U | AirPlusCFG.exe | D-Link AirPlus XtremeG wireless configuration utility | No |
| D066UUtility | N | D066UUTY.EXE | TWAIN driver for the CanoScan D660U flatbed scanner. Start scanning via your scanner management software | No |
| D3**.exe [* = random char] | X | D3**.exe [* = random char] | CoolWebSearch/HomeSearch adware - for examples, see this log | No |
| D3**32.exe [* = random char] | X | D3**32.exe [* = random char] | CoolWebSearch/HomeSearch adware - for examples, see this log | No |
| d3dupdate.exe | X | bbeagle.exe | Added by the BEAGLE.A WORM! | No |
| D4 | U | D4.exe | Dimension 4 - network time synchronization freeware - starts-up, adjusts the system clock, then shuts down | No |
| d9fw5i91p | X | d9fw5i91p.exe | Added by the AGENT-GIW BACKDOOR! | No |
| dabrun | X | rundll32.exe dabapi.dll, Rundll32 | SinaUpdateCenter adware. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "dabapi.dll" file is found in the System (9x/Me) or System32 (NT/2K/XP) folder | No |
| DACONFIGEXE | N | daconfig.exe | 3Com NIC Diagnostics. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| DadApp | Y | dadapp.exe | "DadApp is the SW utility that controls the programmable buttons on Dell Laptops. Not required, but should be left in because it can create a hassle and doesn't always restore functionality to those buttons once unchecked and rechecked" - direct from Dell | No |
| Daemon | N | DAEMON32.EXE | Pre-loads game profiles for MS Sidewinder game controllers prior to release 2.0 of the software. Recommend upgrade. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Daemon | U | Daemon.exe | Daemon Tools - used to map an image-file (.iso, .bin etc) to a virtual CD/DVD-drive | No |
| Daemon | X | daemon.exe c daemon2.exe | Added by the SELOTIMA.A WORM! | No |
| DAEMON Tools | U | daemon.exe | Daemon Tools - used to map an image-file (.iso, .bin etc) to a virtual CD/DVD-drive | No |
| DAEMON Tools Pro Agent | U | DTProAgent.exe | DAEMON Tools Pro converts your computer games CD/DVD discs into "virtual discs" or so called "disc image" files, which run directly on your hard drive' | No |
| DAEMON Tools-1033 | U | Daemon.exe | Daemon Tools - used to map an image-file (.iso, .bin etc) to a virtual CD/DVD-drive | No |
| dago | X | fault.exe | Added by the PUNYA-A WORM! | No |
| Daily Planner | N | dayplan.exe | Daily Planner - discontinued, and now part of KMCS Deluxe System Suite. Tool to plan your days, and check activities off as you complete them | No |
| Daily Weather Forecast | X | weather.exe | Added by the DLOADER-IP TROJAN! | No |
| DamedWare Services | X | dwdrce.exe | Added by the RBOT-AOJ WORM! | No |
| DanBtR270414 | X | DanBtR270414.exe | Added by the VB-NIB WORM! | No |
| Dancer | U | DncLE.exe | Part of Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition - see here | No |
| Danton* | X | [random filename] | Added by the DANTON TROJAN! where * = random number | No |
| Dap | N | DAP.exe | Download Accelerator Plus from Speedbit. Download manager for resuming downloads, amongst other features. Available via Start -> Programs. Note that the free version is adware based | No |
| dark | X | imgst.scr | Added by the BANCOS.U TROJAN! | No |
| dark | X | imgrt.scr | Added by the BANCBAN-FH TROJAN! | No |
| dark | X | csrs.scr | Added by the BANCBAN-GT or BANCBAN-GU TROJANS! | No |
| DarkDevil.Grasiele.BR | X | Grasiele.VBS | Added by the LEMBRA WORM! | No |
| DarKNesS LsasS | X | LsasS23.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| DashIE | ? | N/A | Could be related to "Dash Power Shopping" tool bar in IE? | No |
| daskaskfsak6 | X | dsfids6.exe | Added by the ONLINEG-J TROJAN! | No |
| daskgfkkcx15 | X | dasdsaads15.exe | Added by the ONLINEG-Q TROJAN! | No |
| dasxdads | X | fsdqd.exe | Added by the GAOBOT.BIQ WORM! | No |
| Data | X | System.dat.vbs | Added by the BISCUIT.A WORM! | No |
| data | X | msngs.exe | Added by the RBOT-ADQ WORM! | No |
| Data File | X | vdehost.exe | Added by the SDBOT-DOS TROJAN! | No |
| Data Layer 2 | X | datalayer.exe | Added by the RBOT-BNF WORM! Note - do not confuse with the legitimate Nokia file sharing the same filename - this one is located in %System% | No |
| Data LifeGuard | N | BACKWE~1.EXE | Data LifeGuard diagnostic tools for Western Digital's series of hard drives | No |
| Data LifeGuard LifeLine Lite installer | N | DLGLI.EXE | Backweb installer - see here | No |
| Data Restore Service | X | prq8.exe | Added by the KELVIR.AI WORM! | No |
| Data789 | X | Regedit.exe ....data789.tmp | Homepage hijacker | No |
| DATABASE MySql | X | [path] repcale.exe [path] beird.exe | Added by the RANDON-AL WORM! Both files are often located in %System%\qsws | No |
| DataCaching | N | FlashKsk.exe | SmartMedia Card management from the installation of a SanDisk reader for a camera's SmartMedia card and also adds the "Unplug and Eject Hardware" System Tray icon | No |
| DataKeeper | U | DataKeeper.exe | PowerQuest DataKeeper (now owned by Symantec) backup software | No |
| DataLayer | Y | DataLayer.exe | Part of Nokia PC Suite version 5 - which "is a free PC software product that allows you to connect your Nokia device to a PC and access mobile content as if the device and the PC were one." Required by the Nokia status/connection monitor (NclTray.exe) | Yes |
| DataLayer | Y | DATALA~1.EXE | Part of Nokia PC Suite version 5 - which "is a free PC software product that allows you to connect your Nokia device to a PC and access mobile content as if the device and the PC were one." Required by the Nokia status/connection monitor (NclTray.exe) | No |
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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