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? |
|---|
| CPQEASYACC | U | cpqeadm.exe | For Compaq PC's. Allows the use of programmable keys on mulimedia keyboards. Required if you use the additional keys | No |
| CPQEASYACC | U | StartEAK.exe | Easy Access Button Support for Compaq PCs. Allows the use of programmable keys on multimedia keyboards. Required if you use the additional keys | No |
| CPQEASYACC | U | STARTDRV.exe | For Compaq PC's. Allows the use of programmable keys on mulimedia keyboards. Required if you use the additional keys | No |
| cpqeaui | U | cpqeaui.exe | For Compaq PC's. Allows the use of programmable keys on mulimedia keyboards. Required if you use the additional keys | No |
| cpqek | U | kcpqek.exe | For Compaq PC's. Easy Access button support for the keyboard | No |
| CPQHotKeys | X | hotkeysvc.exe | Added by the RBOT-XA WORM! | No |
| CPQInet Runtime Service | U | CpqInet.exe | For Compaq PC's. Allows AOL and Compuserve to use the Easy Access buttons for the internet. Is not required if you don't use the ISP providers | No |
| CPQINKAGENT | N | cpqinkag.exe | That is the Compaq Ink Agent for some inkjet printers, it lets users know when their ink cartridges are getting close to empty (by how many pages they have printed) | No |
| cpqns | U | cpqnpcss.exe | Related to Compaq.Net - not required if you don't use that | No |
| Cpqset | N | Cpqset.exe | Default settings software in Hewlett Packard notebook | No |
| CPQSTUTFIX | Y | stutfix.exe | For Compaq PC's. Fixes audio stutter problems for ESS Maestro soundcards. You can download it here. This is a Compaq originated file and has been verified as free from viruses by McAfree/Norton | No |
| CPQTEAM | U | cpqteam.exe | This program is bundled with HP servers. When loaded a system tray icon will be available that launches the HP Network Configuration Tool | No |
| cpr | X | cpr | Adroar.com adware downloader | No |
| cprocsvc | X | cproc.exe | Added by MSIL.AGENT.C TROJAN! | No |
| CPU Idle | X | cpuidlexp.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-BW WORM! | No |
| Cpu Level Up help | U | CpuLevelUpHelp.exe | Included with some ASUS motherboards (such as the Maximus Extreme & Striker II Extreme), "the CPU Level Up application allows you to overclock immediately with OC profile presets in Windows without the hassle of booting the BIOS." Part of AI Suite | No |
| CPU Manager | X | cpumgr.exe | Added by the PANDEM.B WORM! | No |
| CPU Power Monitor | U | CpuPowerMonitor.exe | Included with some ASUS motherboards (such as the Maximus Extreme & Striker II Extreme). Associated with the "Energy Saving" feature of AI Gear - which "is a utility designed to configure and support all ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit) features." Part of AI Suite | No |
| CPU Temp Control | X | wuitgurd.exe | Added by the RBOT-AHV WORM! | No |
| CPU Watcher | X | rundll32.exe cpu.dll,load | Added by the DLOADER-LO TROJAN! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "cpu.dll" file is located in %Windir% | No |
| CPU Windows Status | X | cpustats.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| CPUcool | U | Cpucool.exe | Program to keep the processor cool when idle in "overclocked" systems. Also available via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel | No |
| CPUMon | N | CPUMon.exe | "CPUMon continuously displays the updated system statistics in a floating window as well as in system tray area" | No |
| Cpusave | X | Cpusave.exe | Added by the GEMA TROJAN! | No |
| Cpusave32 | X | Cpusave32.exe | Added by the GEMA TROJAN! | No |
| CPVHOST Settings | X | cpvhost.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT TROJAN! | No |
| cpyt | X | hidep.exe | Added by the MIRJACK-A TROJAN! | No |
| cqlyg | X | world_cup_.bat | Added by the WCUP.A WORM! | No |
| CQSCP2PS | ? | CQSCP2PS.EXE | "Compaq printer utility which is required in the startup menu in order to make the printer work correctly". Is it actually required? | No |
| CQSCP2PSERVER | ? | CQSCP2PS.EXE | "Compaq printer utility which is required in the startup menu in order to make the printer work correctly". Is it actually required? | No |
| Cr**.exe [* = random char] | X | Cr**.exe [* = random char] | CoolWebSearch/HomeSearch adware - for examples, see this log | No |
| Cr**32.exe [* = random char] | X | Cr**32.exe [* = random char] | CoolWebSearch/HomeSearch adware - for examples, see this log | No |
| cracked_windows1 | U | cracked_windows1.exe | Cracked Windows popup killer | No |
| crash0001 | X | restorecrashwin32.bat | Added by the AGENT-ZC TROJAN! | No |
| CrashDump | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the DROPPER.EAT TROJAN! | No |
| CrazyTalk Serve | N | rundll32.exe CrazyTalk.dll, DIIServeMediaFile | CrazyTalk from Reallusion - "the worlds only facial animation tool that gives you the power to create talking animated images from a single photograph, complete with emotions." Can apparently be installed without your knowledge as well as being a legitimate download in it's own right from sites such as TUCOWS | No |
| CRBroadCasting | U | CRBroadCasting.exe | CardReader2 from On Track Inovations Ltd. USB Card Reader
| No |
| CRC Value Verifier | X | crsss32.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| CRC Value Verifier | X | Crsss64.exe | Added by the RBOT-NY WORM! | No |
| CRC Value Verifier | X | svchost32.exe | Added by the RBOT-OA WORM! | No |
| CRC Value Verifier | X | crsss.exe | Added by the SPYBOT.UK WORM! | No |
| Crc32stats Dependencies | X | Crc32stats.exe | Added by the MYTOB.GT WORM! | No |
| CRCSS | X | crcss.exe | Added by the IRCBOT-TH WORM! | No |
| Creata Mail | U | JMSrvr.exe | Creata_Mail. Smileys, stationary and more for you email. Required if you want to access the program from Outlook or Outlook Express
| No |
| Create A Monster | X | createAMonster.exe | Kudd.com CreateAMonster. Reportedly stealth installed and Look2Me adware related | No |
| CreateCD | N | Createcd.exe | Adaptec Easy CD Creator system tray application (pre version 5). Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| CreateCD50 | N | Createcd50.exe | Adaptec Easy CD Creator version 5 system tray application. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| CreateCD_Reminder | N | reminder.exe | Reminder to create system recovery CD/DVDs on a Sony Vaio laptop or desktop | No |
| Creates stractures for system management | X | stacture.exe | Added by the SDBOT-DHS WORM! | No |
| Creative AGP Wizard | N | agpwiz.exe | Part of Creative's BlasterControl | No |
|
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