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
|
|
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|
| CSINJECT.EXE | U | CSINJECT.EXE | Part of Quarterdeck/Norton CleanSweep. "Csinject must be loaded in order for Smart Sweep to automatically monitor installations and properly track registry changes" | No |
| csm Win Updates | X | csm.exe | Added by the ZOTOB.B WORM! | No |
| CSNetManagerXp | X | isass.exe | Added by the HIDER-O TROJAN! | No |
| csoftok | X | softok.exe | Added by the QQPASS.G TROJAN! | No |
| csos | X | csos.exe | Added by the SDBOT-DFE WORM! | No |
| csrcs | X | csrcs.exe | Added by the AGENT-HUA TROJAN! | No |
| csrs | X | csrs.exe | Added by the GAOBOT.GEN!POLY WORM! | No |
| csrsc | X | csrsc.exe | Added by the SILLYDC WORM! | No |
| CSRSS | X | CSRSS.EXE | Search page hijacker, redirecting to h**p://www.search-aide.com/. Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| Csrss | X | csrss.exe | Added by the CHOD WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a random subfolder | No |
| csrss | X | csrss.exe | Added by the KEYLOG-AQ KEYLOGGER! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir% | No |
| csrss | X | csrss.exe | Added by the CHODE-J WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a random subfolder | No |
| csrss | X | msmsgs.exe | Added by the CHODE-J BACKDOOR! Note - this malware uses MSN Messenger (which is located in %Program Files%\Messenger) in the background to propogate itself | No |
| csrss | X | nwiz.exe | Added by the CHODE-J WORM! | No |
| csrss | U | csrss.exe | BeyondKeylog surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself. Note - this is not the same file as the csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %ProgramFiles%\Supremtec | No |
| Csrss | X | CSRSS.EXE | Added by the PUNYA-B WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\WINDOWS | No |
| csrss | X | ssms.exe | Added by an unidentified malware | No |
| Csrss Host | X | csrhost.exe | Added by the IRCBOT.BIZ WORM! | No |
| CSRSS Loader | X | csrsss.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.TX WORM! | No |
| csrss.exe | X | csrss.exe | Added by the DALBUG WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir% | No |
| csrssLevel4 | X | csrss.exe | Unidentified malware! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a "Level4" subfolder | No |
| CSRSSU | X | CSRSSU.exe | CoolWebSearch parasite variant - hijacking to Slawsearch.com. Also detected as the CWS-E TROJAN! | No |
| CSRSSW | X | CSRSSW.EXE | Added by the CWS-F TROJAN! | No |
| CSRSWIN | X | [trojan filename] | Added by the WINSHELL.50 TROJAN! | No |
| CSRSX | X | [trojan filename] | Added by the WINSHELL.50.B TROJAN! | No |
| csrvss | X | csrvss.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT TROJAN! | No |
| CSS Server | U | CSSServer.exe | ComSpySysSvr surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| cssauth | N | cssauth.exe | Part of Thinkvantage Client Security Solution for Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks and ThinkCentre desktops. Once configured via the associated setup screens this loads via winlogon.exe (and loads the password manager) and therefore disabling this entry has no effect | Yes |
| cssauthe | N | cssauthe.exe | Part of Thinkvantage Client Security Solution for IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks and ThinkCentre desktops. Once configured via the associated setup screens this loads via winlogon.exe (and loads the password manager) and therefore disabling this entry has no effect | No |
| CSScheduleCheck | Y | SCHWIZEX.EXE | Part of ConfigSafe - lets you identify changes to the registry, INI files, System asset files, system hardware, network connections, and operating system versions - provides a restore function. This part takes a snapshot of your system following a healthy re-boot | No |
| cssrs | X | cssrs.exe | Added by the BANCBAN-DW TROJAN! | No |
| cssrss.exe | X | cssrss.exe | Malware installed by different rogue security software including SpyKillerPro | No |
| csss | X | Csss.exe | Added by the BALICK TROJAN! | No |
| CSS_Central | U | CSS_1631.EXE | CSS Communication Agent (95 Host) from Command Software Systems (now Authentium). "CSS Central™ provides administrators with a powerfully proactive tool to effectively manage and maintain the anti-virus strategy from a centralized console" | No |
| CSV10P1 | X | CSP001.exe | ClearSearch adware | No |
| CSV10P70 | X | CSv10P070.exe | ClearSearch adware | No |
| CSV7P26 | X | CSV7P26.exe | ClearSearch adware | No |
| CSV7P70 | X | CSV7P070.exe | ClearSearch adware | No |
| CSV7P91 | X | CSV7P91.exe | ClearSearch adware | No |
| csvdea | U | csvdea.exe | SpyArsenalLog surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| csvhost.exe | X | csvhost.exe | Added by the CIMUZ-BD TROJAN! | No |
| ct | Y | ct.exe | ct.exe is a file is for the HP Learning Adventure software and if you use this software it is required to run it | No |
| CT Control Settings | X | CTSVCCD.EXE | Added by the RBOT-YS WORM! | No |
| CTAPR2 | U | CTAPR2.exe | Console Launcher for the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series | No |
| CTAVTray | N | CTAvTray.exe | For Creative Soundblaster Live! series soundcards. Plays the EAX animation on start-up and adds a System Tray icon for it. Available via AudioHQ | No |
| CTCheck | U | CTCheck.exe | Associated with the ZEN range of MP3 players from Creative Technology Ltd. A visitor recommended the "U" status but what does it do? | No |
| CTCMonitor | U | CTCMonitor.exe | Click-to-Convert - document-to-HTML or doc-to-PDF converter. Only required if you are going to use the File -> Print method of using Click-to-Convert. If converting directly from MS Office, it is not required | No |
| CTDrive | X | rundll32.exe drvmod.dll,startup | Added by a variant of the OP DIALER! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "drvmod.dll" file is found in %System% | No |
| CTDVDDet | N | CTDVDDet.exe | Auto-detect and play a DVD when using a Creative Soundblaster Audigy2 soundcard. Uses about 2.2 MB of memory. Disable it by heading to the MediaSource DVD Audio Player, selecting Tools, then uncheck the Auto Start box. It should not start up automatically again | No |
| CTF Device Loader | X | ctfmond.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-FO WORM! | 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