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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotbar | X | HbOEAddOn.exe | Hotbar adware | No |
| HotbarSA | X | HotbarSA.exe | Hotbar adware | No |
| HOTFOON2 | U | hotfoon4.exe | Related to Hotfoon - a developer and provider of Internet Telephony technology based on LTP (Lightweight Telephony Protocol) | No |
| HotIDE | U | hotide.exe | HotIDE allows Acer TravelMate owners to hot-swap external drives without switching of their notebooks | No |
| HotkeyApp | U | HotkeyApp.exe | Programmable keys on Acer, Fujitsu and other laptops | No |
| HotPix | X | hotpix.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| hotplug | X | hotplug.exe | Added by the SILLYDL TROJAN! | No |
| Hotplug | U | hot_plug.exe | Related to the SiS_Hot_Plug_Application. Enables automated driver loading for hotpluggable devices. If this service is stopped, hotplug devices will no longer function | No |
| HotSync Manager | N | hotsync.exe | Installed when connecting a Palm HotSync cradle up to a USB port. The Blue and Red Arrow Icon that enables Palm / Handspring Synchronizing. Available via Start → Programs | No |
| hotwetlove | X | hotwetlove.exe | Adult content dialler. Will not uninstall - components have to be manually deleted | No |
| Hot_Kiss | X | Hot_Kiss.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| Hot_Tarts | X | Hot_Tarts.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| Hot_Tarts_** | X | Hot_Tarts_**.exe | Premium rate adult content dialer (where * is a random char) | No |
| Hot_Tarts_Au | X | Hot_Tarts_Au.exe | Premium rate adult content dialler | No |
| Hot_Tarts_mc | X | Hot_Tarts_mc.exe | HotTarts adult content dialer | No |
| HoverDesk | U | HoverDesk.exe | HoverDesk - desktop replacement software | No |
| HP AutoIndexer | U | hppautoindexer.exe | Installed by HP multi-function printer driver software, related to PC faxing. If you are not using the PC faxing feature you can go ahead and disable these services from the startup | No |
| HP CD Writer | N | hpcdtray.exe | System Tray access to a HP CD-Writer's functions. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| HP CD-DVD | N | hpcdtray.exe | System Tray access to a HP CD-Writer's functions. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| HP CD-Writer | N | hpcdtray.exe | System Tray access to a HP CD-Writer's functions. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| HP Component Manager | N | hpcmpmgr.exe | Checks the internet for updated drivers/utilities for your HP product - update manually. Disabling will remove the error "Windows can't shutdown the computer because hpcmpmgr.exe can't be ended" | No |
| HP Deskjet | X | HP_DeskJet_500.exe | Added by the FORBOT-DA WORM! | No |
| HP Digital Imaging Monitor | U | hpqtra08.exe | System Tray access to HP Director. Required if you prefer to use the all-in-one buttons to manually scan documents or transfer photos froma camera, for example | No |
| HP Display Settings | U | hpdisply.exe | Sets default display settings. Unchecking this item has been reported to cure a "Problem sending command to keyboard" error message | No |
| HP Envy Guides AutoPlay | N | hpdocstart.exe | Related to the HP Envy series of laptops. Based upon the entry name, we assume this automatically launches the product guides and isn't required - can a user confirm this? | No |
| HP Health Check Schedule | U | HPHC_Scheduler.exe | HP Health Check Scheduler from Hewlett-Packard | No |
| HP IDScheduler | ? | HPIDSCHD.exe | HP Instant Delivery Scheduler | No |
| HP Image Zone Fast Start | N | hpqthb08.exe | Improves the startup time of HP Image Zone. If you disable it, HP Image Zone takes a long time to start up only the first time you run it. Subsequent startups are much faster than the first time | No |
| HP JetDiscovery | N | HPJETDSC.EXE | HP JetAdmin software which monitors printing jobs on a network environment | No |
| HP Laser Jet Director | U | hppdirector.exe | System Tray icon that opens various functions such as copy, fax, email, scan, copy plus, etc. Right-click on it and you see a few options such as the preceding bar plus About, Help, ToolBox, Exit, etc | No |
| HP Network Registry Agent | ? | hpnra.exe | ?? | No |
| HP OfficeJet Series xxx Startup | ? | HPOSTR03.EXE | xxx represents the series number - such as 700. What does it do and it it required? | No |
| HP OfficeJet Series xxx Startup | ? | HPOstr05.exe | xxx represents the series number - such as 700. What does it do and it it required? | No |
| HP Parallel Port Test | N | hppt.exe | Associated with a HP ScanJet scanner | No |
| HP Photo Manager | X | HPPhotoManager.exe | Added by the SDBOT.AXU WORM! | No |
| HP Photosmart Premier Fast Start | N | hpqthb08.exe | Improves the startup time of HP Image Zone. If you disable it, HP Image Zone takes a long time to start up only the first time you run it. Subsequent startups are much faster than the first time | No |
| HP Port Resolver | ? | hpbpro.exe | ?? | No |
| HP Precision Scan | N | hpmdlbwx.exe | HP multifunction scanner software. Available from HP Office Jet R Toolbox so not required | No |
| hp psc 2000 Series | U | hpobnz08.exe | System Tray icon indicating when the printer is ready. Can be started manually with HP Director but takes time to start | No |
| HP ScanPatch | U | HPScanFix.exe | Program that starts up and automatically fixes earlier versions of the Scanjet 5100c software. If a Scanjet 5100C scanner is not going to be used, then it is safe to remove or prevent from starting | No |
| HP ScanPicture | N | hpsplmwa.exe | HP multifunction scanner software. Available from HP Office Jet R Toolbox so not required | No |
| HP SchedIndexer | U | hppschedindexer.exe | Installed by HP multi-function printer driver software, related to PC faxing. If you are not using the PC faxing feature you can go ahead and disable these services from the startup | No |
| HP Service Drivers | X | hdsys.exe | Added by the SDBOT-ZE WORM! | No |
| hp Silent Service | ? | HpSrvUI.exe | HP related | No |
| HP Simple Trax | N | Hpcron.exe | Supplied with HP CD-RW drives - stores information about CD contents on your hard drive. Available via Start -> Programs or Desktop Icon | No |
| HP software update | N | HPWuSchd2.exe | HP software updates. If a shortcut doesn't exist create your own and run it manually | No |
| HP software update | N | HPWuSchd.exe | HP software updates. If a shortcut doesn't exist, create your own and run it manually | No |
| HP Status | N | hpstatus.exe | HP Printer Status and Alerts | No |
| HP Status Server | ? | hpboid.exe | Copied during installation of HP Inkjet Printer Drivers in Win2K/XP. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| HP TV Now | U | HpTvNow.exe | Application supplied with HP notebooks. It activates the S-Video port and is said to improve the quality of the output signal (resolution/timeouts) | 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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