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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware Doctor | U | Hwdoctor.exe | Winbond Hardware Doctor - as included on some motherboard using Winbond's hardware monitoring chips. Displays fan speeds, voltages, temperatures. Only required if you're concerned about your system temperature - typically for "overclocked" systems | No |
| Hardware Profile | X | hxdef.exe | Added by the LOVGATE.AB WORM! | No |
| Hardware Profile | X | hxdef.exe... | Added by the LOVGATE.Z WORM! | No |
| Hardware Sensors Monitor | U | hmonitor.exe | Utility to monitor fan speed and temperatures - similar to Motherboard Monitor. Only required if you're concerned about your system temperature - typically for "overclocked" systems | No |
| Hare | U | hare.exe | Hare - improve and optimize performance of desktop/laptop PCs | No |
| HawkEye | U | HAWK_95.EXE | Control Panel application for the old Number Nine graphics cards to change resolution, colour depth, etc. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| HawkEye IV Control Panel | U | HAWK_32.EXE | Control Panel application for the old Number Nine graphics cards to change resolution, colour depth, etc. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Hawking HWU54G Utility | U | HWU54G.exe | Wireless management utility for the HWU54G Mini Wireless-G USB Adapter from Hawking Technologies, Inc | No |
| Hawking Wireless Utility | U | HWU8DD.exe | Wireless management utility for the HWU8DD Hi-Gain™ USB Wireless-G Dish Adapter from Hawking Technologies, Inc | No |
| Hbinst | X | Hbinst.exe | Hotbar adware | No |
| HC Reminder | N | hc.exe | For Compaq PC's. Help Compiler, crunches help database, will run without being in startup when needed | No |
| HCDetect | N | HCDetect.exe | MS HomeClick Network - simple home network setup and configuration program included with 3Com HomeConnect home networking products. Runs in the background for network printer notification, detection, and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) taskbar icon. Not required - network can be set-up manually, also has a known memory leak problem | No |
| hcen | X | hcen.exe | Added by the SMALL.LR TROJAN! | No |
| hcenter | U | hcenter.exe | Bellsouth help center. Part of software from SupportSoft (aka Support.com) provided to manufacturers and ISPs that allows them to offer on-line support - to update drivers, fix faults, etc. Also see the TgAddServer entry. This part ensures the software is installed correctly (similar to an installation wizard) as reported by Cox. Regarded as spyware by some as it has the ability to retrieve user information. Whether it does so depends upon the provider. One Toshiba user reports problems with hibernate on his laptop if disabled - hence the "U" recommendation" | No |
| hchos | X | hchos.exe | Added by the SCAR.BVBM TROJAN! | No |
| hclean32.exe | X | hclean32.exe | Wareout - malware masquerading as a spyware and dialer remover | No |
| Hcontrol | U | hcontrol.exe | Hotkeys on an ASUS Notebook. Only required if you use the additional keys | No |
| hcontrol32.exe | X | hcontrol32.exe | Added by the VB-EUF WORM! | No |
| HControlUser | U | HControlUser.exe | Hotkeys on an ASUS Notebook. Only required if you use the additional keys | No |
| hcsystray | N | hc_tray.exe | Kuma Notifier for the Shootout! game from the History Channel. "It lets you know whenever there's a new episode that's been released or an announcement from the Kuma team. Just click it to get up-to-the-minute game and event information" | No |
| HDAShCut | N | HDAShCut.exe | High definition audio page shortcut for Realtek audio devices - not required | No |
| HDAudDeck | U | HDAudioCPL.exe | Vista control panel for VIA Vinyl HD Audio Codecs from VIA Technologies, Inc - such as the VT1708B | No |
| HDAudDeck | U | HDeck.exe | XP control panel for VIA Vinyl HD Audio Codecs from VIA Technologies, Inc - such as the VT1708B | No |
| HDAudio | X | hda.exe | Added by the TACTSLAY.U TROJAN! | No |
| HDDHealth | U | hddhealth.exe | HDD Health is a "full-featured failure-prediction agent for machines using Windows 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000 and XP. Sitting in the system tray, it monitors hard disks and alerts you to impending failure" | No |
| HDDlife | U | HDDlife.exe | HDDlife checks the health of your hard drives at regular intervals and informs you about the results of these checks | No |
| HDriveSweeper | X | HDriveSweeper.exe | HDriveSweeper rogue privacy program - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| HDtray | N | HDtray.exe | Philips Edge Series Control Panel Tray Utility - system tray icon for a Philips Edge series soundcards. Available via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel | No |
| Hekio Startups | X | Hnksvc32.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-QE WORM! | No |
| HelloInt | X | hello3.exe | Added by the CASAL.A TROJAN! | No |
| helloserv | X | helloserv.exe | Added by the ZHELATI.BHA WORM! | No |
| Help | ? | helpext.exe | ?? | No |
| help | X | help.scr | Added by the BANCOS-BBU TROJAN! | No |
| helpctl.exe | X | helpctl.exe | Added by the GASLIDE TROJAN! | No |
| HelpExp.exe | X | HelpExp.exe | Attune HelpExpress - spyware. Disable and uninstall - see here | No |
| helpo | X | helpo.exe | Added by the BANLOA-BU TROJAN! | No |
| helpw | X | helpw.exe | Adware downloader | No |
| heomstool | X | heomstool.exe | Added by the HEOMS TROJAN! | No |
| HEProtect | Y | HSockPE.exe | Part of the AntiSpam function of the HAURI ViRobot Desktop internet security suite | No |
| herjek | X | herjek.exe | Added by the NUWAR.APJ WORM! | No |
| Hewlett Packard Manager | X | hpmanager.exe | Added by the MYTOB.KE WORM! Note - this is not a valid Hewlett-Packard program | No |
| Hf | U | Hf.exe | Hide Folders - hide your folders so only you can view them | No |
| HF Security | X | hfsecure.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-TI WORM! | No |
| hffsrv | Y | hffsrv.exe | Hide Files & Folders - "great easy-to-use password-protected security utility working at Windows kernel level you can use to password-protect certain files and folders, or to hide them securely from viewing and searching just with a click of mouse". If this entry is disabled, any files/folders that are protected/hidden will no longer be accessible without first accessing the main program | Yes |
| hffsrv.exe | Y | hffsrv.exe | Hide Files & Folders - "great easy-to-use password-protected security utility working at Windows kernel level you can use to password-protect certain files and folders, or to hide them securely from viewing and searching just with a click of mouse". If this entry is disabled, any files/folders that are protected/hidden will no longer be accessible without first accessing the main program | Yes |
| hfxp | U | hfxp.exe | Hide Folders XP - hide your folders so only you can view them | No |
| hgqhp.exe | X | hgqhp.exe | Added by the FLUSH.F TROJAN! | No |
| HiberMonitor | ? | HCount.exe | ?? | No |
| Hibernation | U | hib32.exe | Reduces the power consumption when the laptop isn't being used to preserve battery power. Similar programs on other laptops reduce the processor clock rate, etc. Required if you run of battery regularly | No |
| Hid.exe | X | hid.exe | Added by the RATSOU.B TROJAN! | 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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