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? |
|---|
| DirectX For Microsoft® Windows | X | fservice.exe | Added by the PRORAT-P TROJAN! | No |
| DirectX For Microsoft® Windows | X | fservice.exe | Added by the PRORAT-L TROJAN! | No |
| DirectX shell driver | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the MARKTMAN-B TROJAN! | No |
| Directx Startup Drivers | X | direct.exe | Added by the RBOT.UXL WORM! | No |
| DirectX Video Driver | X | dxterm5.exe | Added by the WILAB-A TROJAN!
| No |
| DirectX64 | X | DirectXset.exe | Added by the BROWNEY.A WORM! | No |
| DirectX9 | X | direct3d.exe | Added by the AGENT.EAK TROJAN! | No |
| DirectX9 | X | svchost32.exe | Added by the RBOT.AQG WORM! | No |
| DirectX9 Diag | X | dx9diag.exe | Added by the RBOT-ALT WORM! | No |
| Dirkey | U | Dirkey.exe | Dirkey - small utility that allows you to bookmark up to 9 folders by using the Ctrl+Alt+1..9 shortcut keys in an Open/Save File dialog or in Windows Explorer. After this the Ctrl+1..9 shortcut keys can be used in the same or another window to go to any of the 9 bookmarked folders | No |
| DirLocker | X | dirlock.exe | Added by the AUTORUN-AMS WORM! | No |
| Disable EHCI | ? | nousb20.exe | ?? | No |
| Disc Detector | N | CtNotify.exe | For Creative sound cards. Detects when you insert a CD, DVD, etc | No |
| disc detector | ? | qnetquestnotifty.exe | ?? | No |
| discoveg | ? | discoveg.exe | ?? | No |
| DISCover | ? | DISCover.exe | Related to DISCover Drop from Digital Interactive Systems Corporation. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| DiscoverDeskshop | N | Deskshop.exe | Discover Deskshop - single use "virtual" credit card | No |
| DiscUpdateManager | U | DiscUpdMgr.exe | Disc Update Manager for Digital interactive's DISCover Console. Provider of on-demand video games | No |
| DiscUpdateManager | N | DiscUpdateMgr.exe | DISCover from Digital Interactive Systems Corporation Inc. "The company's patented Drop 'n' Play technology provides a simple, console-like experience when playing PC titles allowing for seamless play of CD/DVD-based games while its unique Parental Control system incorporates ESRB ratings to help users limit access to younger players" | No |
| DiscWizardMonitor.exe | U | DiscWizardMonitor.exe | Seagate DiscWizard - hard disk utility for Seagate's SATA and PATA (IDE) drives | No |
| Disk Check | X | chkdsk32.exe | Added by the IM TROJAN! | No |
| Disk Cleaner | U | DiskCleaner.Exe | Hard disk management part of TuneUp Utilities from TuneUp Distribution GmbH | No |
| Disk Defragmentation Loader | X | pmsvcr.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| Disk Essensial Tools | X | detsvc.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| Disk Keeper | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the SMALL-VE TROJAN! | No |
| Disk Keeper | X | SECURITY.EXE | Daosearch adware | No |
| Disk Manager | X | diskver.exe | Added by the RBOT.AQT WORM! | No |
| Disk Master | X | [trojan name] | Added by the DISTER TROJAN! - a spam relayer | No |
| Disk Panel Configuration | X | dpcsvc.exe | Added by the IRCBOT.BSQ BACKDOOR! | No |
| Disk Panel Setup | X | npcsvc.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| DiskCheck | X | msdarkend.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| DiskeeperSystray | N | DkIcon.exe | DisKeeper defragmentation software - can be started manually | No |
| diskinf | X | diskinf.exe | Added by the CRYPTER.A TROJAN! | No |
| DISKMON.EXE | ? | DISKMON.EXE | ?? | No |
| Disknag | N | disknag.exe | Dell program that reminds you to make your backup diskettes | No |
| DiskRetter | X | SysRep.exe | DiskRetter, German rogue system error and cleaning utility - not recommended. A member of the ErrClean family | No |
| Diskstart | X | Code.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| Diskstart | X | cat.exe | MS-Connect dialler | No |
| Diskstart | X | hit.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| Diskstart | X | Snt.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| DiskSuite | U | aDSProcMngr.exe | Part of PC Tools Disk Suite from PC Tools - which "is an all-in-one hard-disk management utility that integrates disk optimization, defragmentation and backup tools in one easy to use package". Proxy (or agent) for the Disk Suite Service. Based upon my experience, if this is disabled it does not appear to adversely affect on-demand or scheduled tasks but has a "U" recommendation as it's function isn't fully known | Yes |
| Disk_Monitor | U | Disk_Monitor.exe | Multi-media, Smartmedia, Compact Flash card reader for reading digital camera cards. Device is recognised as internal USB disk drive. Necessary if camera cards are to be recognised as soon as they are inserted into the reader | No |
| disnisa | X | disnisa.exe | Added by the DORF-AE WORM! | No |
| Dispatcher | X | dispatcher.exe | Added by the DLOADR-AS TROJAN! | No |
| display | U | The_Eye.exe | ComSpySysSvr surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| Display | X | backup.exe | Added by the BRONTOK-CR WORM! | No |
| Display Drivers | X | cssrs.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.FX WORM! | No |
| Display Settings | N | hptasks.exe | Allows for the adjustment of the display for LCD screen, CRT Monitor and TV output on HP computers | No |
| DisplayFusion | U | DisplayFusion.exe | DisplayFusion from Binary Fortress Software - "is a fantastic application that can make your dual monitor (or triple monitor or more) life much, much easier! From allowing you to use a different wallpaper on each monitor, to integrating with Flickr for image searching, to providing hotkeys for managing your application windows" | No |
| DisplayTrayIcon | N | TrayIcon.exe | System Tray access to display properties for ABIT graphics cards. Unless you change your desktop resolution, etc regularily use Control Panel -> Display | 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