Startup Applications List
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:
Variables:
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPAS | Y | DPASNT.exe | DefenderPro AntiSpy spyware remover - now incorporated Defender Pro 15-in-1 and 5-in-1 | No |
| DPASUpdate | Y | DPASAutoUpdate.exe | Automatic updates for DefenderPro AntiSpy spyware remover - now incorporated Defender Pro 15-in-1 and 5-in-1 | No |
| Dpcnav | Y | dpcnav.exe | DirecWay from DirectTV (now HughesNet) - satellite based high-speed internet access | No |
| DPConfig | N | DPConfig.exe | Compuware DevPartner Studio Configuration Utility, a tool for software developers - System Tray access to configure the utility's analysis. Not required at startup, can be launched from the Start Menu programs group when needed | No |
| dpcproxy | X | dpcproxy.exe | Added by the GOLDENP-A TROJAN! | No |
| DPCProxyLoadOnStartup | Y | dpcstart.exe | DirecWay from DirectTV (now HughesNet) - satellite based high-speed internet access | No |
| Dpcstart | Y | dpcstart.exe | DirecWay from DirectTV (now HughesNet) - satellite based high-speed internet access | No |
| dpi | X | dpi.exe | Delfin Media Viewer or "Promulgate" adware | No |
| dpnsvr32 | X | dpnsvr32.exe | Added by the AOLPASS-B TROJAN! | No |
| dpps2 | U | dpps2.exe | Pop-Up Stopper Companion from Panicware. Pop-up blocker integrated into the IE toolbar. Note that the Pro version doesn't load in startup as it is installed as an Internet Explorer toolbar. Can cause problems with IE if you use WinXP and uninstall Service Pack 1. Uninstalling the software leaves it in the startup group | No |
| dps | X | dps.exe | SmartestSearch parasite - poses as a foistware, bogus adware/spyware remover called "scumware-remover" | No |
| dptracker | N | dptracker.exe | CamTrack webcam software that enhances the way people video chat | No |
| Dr. Guard | X | drguard.exe | Dr. Guard rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| Drag-to-Disc | N | DrgToDsc.exe | System Tray access to Roxio Drag-to-Disc - part of the Roxio Easy CD & DVD Creator and Easy Media Creator series of CD/DVD tools. "Easily drag and drop files for burning to CD or DVD. Disc formatting and burning will happen automatically". Not required for Roxio to work properly and available via the Start menu | Yes |
| DragDrop | ? | DragDrop.exe | ?? | No |
| DRan posessor | X | DAP.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| DrAntispy | X | DrAntispy.exe | DrAntiSpy rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| DrgToDsc | N | DrgToDsc.exe | System Tray access to Roxio Drag-to-Disc - part of the Roxio Easy CD & DVD Creator and Easy Media Creator series of CD/DVD tools. "Easily drag and drop files for burning to CD or DVD. Disc formatting and burning will happen automatically". Not required for Roxio to work properly and available via the Start menu | Yes |
| dried.exe | ? | dried.exe | ?? | No |
| DriveIcons | U | DriveIcon.exe | Drive Icons from Realtek - shows a specific icon for each card type for their card reader controllers | No |
| DriverConf | X | dvrconf.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-IY WORM! | No |
| DriverMagicLogon | U | dmschedule.exe | Part of DriverMagic - "the easiest way to locate device drivers" | No |
| DriverMax | N | devices.exe | DriverMax from Innovative Solutions - "a new tool that allows you to download the latest driver updates for your computer. No more searching for rare drivers on discs or on the web or inserting one installation CD after the other" | No |
| DriveSelect | N | driveselect.exe | DVD X Copy XPress by 321 Studios. Creates a pop-up at Windows startup that asks for the DVD drive to be selected. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| DRM Upgrade | X | drmupgd.exe | Added by the IRCBOT.AWU BACKDOOR! | No |
| Drmupgds | X | Drmupgds.exe | Maxfiles adware | No |
| drocher | X | d.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| DropSpam Lifestyle | X | dslifestyle.exe | Dropspam adware | No |
| DrProtection | X | DrProtection.exe | DrProtection rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| drvddll.exe | X | drvddll.exe | Added by the BEAGLE.AP WORM! | No |
| Drvddll_exe | X | drvddll.exe | Added by the BEAGLE.X WORM! | No |
| DrvIcon | U | DrvIcon.exe | "Vista Drive Icon changes the drive icons shown in Windows "My Computer", to a nearly Vista drive icon, showing the drive's free space with a smooth colored horizontal bar" | No |
| DrvListnr | ? | DrvListnr.exe | Analog Devices SoundMAX soundcard related. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| drvlsnr | U | drvlsnr.exe | Compaq/ADI SoundMAX integrated digital audio controller related. May solve a problem if your sound cuts out unexpectedly | No |
| DrvMon.exe | U | DrvMon.exe | Alcor drive monitor software | No |
| drvnetw | X | drvnetw.exe | Added by the BROGGER-B TROJAN! | No |
| drvr32h | X | drvr32h.exe | Added by an unidentified VIRUS, WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| drvrmanager | X | drvrquery32.exe | Added by the BOOHOO WORM! | No |
| drvsys.exe | X | drvsys.exe | Added by the BEAGLE.W WORM! | No |
| DrWatson | X | drwatson_.exe | Added by the LOHAV-S TROJAN! | No |
| DrWatson | X | drwatson_32.exe | Added by the LOHAV-S TROJAN! | No |
| DrWeb Antivirus | X | DRWEBAV.EXE | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| Drwebscheduler | Y | Drwebscd.exe | DrWeb antivirus related - scheduler that allows you to manage an automatic launch of applications, in particular the antivirus scanner or the update subsystem | No |
| DR_S | X | DR_S.exe | IstBar adware | No |
| ds | X | ds.exe | Added by the SPYMON TROJAN! | No |
| DS Clock | U | dsclock.exe | Digital desktop clock including synchronization with atomic servers - see here | No |
| dsa | X | dsa.exe | Homepage hijacker - redirecting to downseek.com | No |
| dsadlsa14 | X | dsakfsak14.exe | Added by the ONLINEG-P TROJAN! | No |
| DSB | X | DSB.exe | EnergyPlugin adware | No |
| dscactivate | U | dsca.exe | Dell Support Agent offers additional support and update features for your Dell computer or laptop | No |
Download Alternative Formats
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.
Warning
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.
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Copyright
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
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