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? |
|---|
| Antivirus Installer | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the BADGENT-A TROJAN! | No |
| Antivirus Pro 2009 | X | AntivirusPro2009.exe | AntiVirus Plus rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| Antivirus Pro 2010 | X | AntivirusPro_2010.exe | Antivirus Pro 2010 rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AntiVirus Process | X | virprot.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| Antivirus Protection Services | X | ccapp2.exe | Added by the RBOT.EXI WORM! | No |
| AntiVirus Update | X | updates.exe | Added by the RBOT-JF WORM! | No |
| AntiVirus Update | X | antivirus.exe | Added by the RBOT-IF WORM! | No |
| Antivirus-2008.exe | X | Antivirus-2008.exe | Antivirus 2008 rogue security software - not recommended. Detected by Sophos as the FAKEAV-BK TROJAN! | No |
| antivirus-2008pro.exe | X | antivirus-2008pro.exe | Antivirus 2008 PRO rogue security software - not recommended. Detected by Sophos as the FAKEAV-AW TROJAN! | No |
| Antivirus-Golden | X | Antivirus-Golden.exe | Antivirus-Golden rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| Antivirus.exe | X | Antivirus.exe | Antivirus rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| Antivirus2008y | X | antvrs.exe | AntiVirus 2008 rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| antivirus32 | X | antivirus.exe | Added by the SPYBOT.KAI WORM! | No |
| AntivirusBEST | X | Installer.exe | Installer for the AntivirusBEST rogue security software - not recommended. Removal instructions here | No |
| AntivirusBEST | X | abest.exe | AntivirusBEST rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AntivirusFiable | X | pgs.exe | AntivirusFiable, French rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| AntivirusForAll | X | pgs.exe | AntivirusForAll rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| AntivirusGold | X | AntivirusGold.exe | AntivirusGold rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AntivirusGold 5.1 | X | AntivirusGold 5.1.exe | AntivirusGold rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AntiVirusLab2009 | X | AntiVirusLab2009.exe | WinDefender 2009 rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AntivirusOrdi | X | pgs.exe | AntivirusOrdi, French rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| AntivirusPCPakke | X | pgs.exe | AntivirusPCPakke, Danish rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| AntivirusPCSuite | X | pgs.exe | AntivirusPCSuite rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| Antiviruspertutti | X | pgs.exe | Antiviruspertutti rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| AntiVirusPro | X | AntiVirusPro.exe | Anti Virus Pro rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| AntiVirusProMFC | X | Antivirus Pro.exe | AntiVirus Pro rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| AntiVirusProtection | ? | qumk.exe | ?? | No |
| Antivirusscherm | X | pgs.exe | Antivirusscherm, Dutch rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| AntivirusXP.exe | X | AntivirusXP.exe | Antivirus XP Pro rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AntiVirus_ProNET | X | AntiVirus_Pro.exe | AntiVirusPro rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AntiVituS | X | Base.exe | Added by the BAS.A WORM! | No |
| antiware | X | elite***32.exe [*** = random char] | Added by the DLOADER-HW TROJAN! | No |
| AntiWindowsMessenger | U | AntiMsMsg.exe | Anti-Windows_Messenger is a small application that prevents Windows Messenger from remaining resident in memory | No |
| AntiWorm2008 | X | pgs.exe | AntiWorm2008 rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| anti_troj | X | anti_troj.exe | Added by the LODEAR.D TROJAN! | No |
| AnVir | U | AnVir.exe | AnVir Task Manager - "is a tool that controls everything running on computer and provides Windows enhancements that help in every-day work". Monitors and manages startup programs, processes and services. Also includes system tweaks, security risks, tray icons for monitoring CPU/memory/HDD and other utilities | Yes |
| AnVir Security Suite | U | AnVir.exe | AnVir Security Suite - "is a tool that controls everything running on computer and provides Windows enhancements that help in every-day work". Monitors and manages startup programs, processes and services. Also includes system tweaks, security risks, tray icons for monitoring CPU/memory/HDD and other utilities. This version includes an antivirus scanner and anti-rootkit tool | Yes |
| AnVir Task Manager | U | AnVir.exe | AnVir Task Manager - "is a tool that controls everything running on computer and provides Windows enhancements that help in every-day work". Monitors and manages startup programs, processes and services. Also includes system tweaks, security risks, tray icons for monitoring CPU/memory/HDD and other utilities | Yes |
| AnVir Task Manager Free | U | AnVir.exe | AnVir Task Manager Free - "is a tool that controls everything running on computer and provides Windows enhancements that help in every-day work". Monitors and manages startup programs, processes and services. Also includes system tweaks, security risks, tray icons for monitoring CPU/HDD and other utilities | Yes |
| AnVir Task Manager Pro | U | AnVir.exe | AnVir Task Manager Pro - "is a tool that controls everything running on computer and provides Windows enhancements that help in every-day work". Monitors and manages startup programs, processes and services. Also includes system tweaks, security risks, tray icons for monitoring CPU/memory/HDD and other utilities | Yes |
| anvshell | U | anvshell.exe | System Tray tool for ASUS video cards. If disabled you lose all the ASUS specific video card options in Control Panel -> Display Properties -> Advanced as well as the System Tray shortcuts toolbar | No |
| AnvTrgr | X | AnvTrgr.exe | AntivirusTrigger rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| Any To-Do List | U | anytodo.exe | Any To-Do List "the ultimate software solution to keep yourself organized and reminded"
| No |
| anycom bluetooth | ? | ftflauncher.exe | Associated with an Anycom bluetooth wireless card. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| AnyDVD | U | AnyDVD.exe | AnyDVD - descrambles DVD-Movies automatically in the background and the DVD appears unprotected and region code free. Also removes prohibited operations from the DVD such as skipping adverts - hence the "U" recommendation | No |
| AnyDVD | U | AnyDVDtray.exe | System Tray access to AnyDVD from SlySoft - which descrambles DVD-Movies automatically in the background and the DVD appears unprotected and region code free. Also removes prohibited operations from the DVD such as skipping adverts | No |
| AnyTime | U | Atw.exe | AnyTime Organizer Deluxe from Individual Software Inc - "all the tools you need to organize your calendar, to-do list, and address book are combined in a familiar interface with hundreds of printable calendars, detailed expense reports, and a full range of programmable alarms" | No |
| AnyTime Organizer | U | AtDem.exe | AnyTime Organizer Deluxe from Individual Software Inc - "all the tools you need to organize your calendar, to-do list, and address book are combined in a familiar interface with hundreds of printable calendars, detailed expense reports, and a full range of programmable alarms" | No |
| AnyTime Organizer | U | Atw.exe | AnyTime Organizer Deluxe from Individual Software Inc - "all the tools you need to organize your calendar, to-do list, and address book are combined in a familiar interface with hundreds of printable calendars, detailed expense reports, and a full range of programmable alarms" | No |
| AO Tray | N | AOTray.Exe | System Tray application for AOpen soundcards. Can be run manually via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel | 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