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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravshell | X | IEXPLORER.EXE | Added by the AGENT.URZ TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) | No |
| ravshell | X | iexpl0re.exe | Added by the NOFERE-A TROJAN! Note the number "0" in the filename | No |
| ravtask | X | iexpl0re.exe | Added by the AGENT.AIR BACKDOOR! Note the number "0" in the filename | No |
| Reg Service | X | ipcfg.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-SO WORM! | No |
| Regional Value | X | isng.exe | Added by the SDBOT-OW WORM! | No |
| RegistryMonitor1 | X | igfxpers.exe | Added by the DELF-EZZ TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Intel graphics driver which has the same filename | No |
| RegistryMonitor1 | X | incognito.exe | Added by the BUZUS.DAHY TROJAN! | No |
| reluvage | X | ilulupac.exe | Added by the SDBOT-UJ WORM! | No |
| Remote Update Monitor | Y | imonitor.exe | Sophos Antivirus Remote Update utility - provides an easy way for remote workers to keep up to date with their virus protection via a website or network connection provided by their employer | No |
| RenolB | ? | ib.exe | ?? | No |
| run | X | inetinfo.exe | Added by the BINGHE TROJAN! | No |
| run= | X | info32.exe | CoolWebSearch Tapicfg parasite variant | No |
| runapp | X | icqchk.exe | Added by the BOMKA TROJAN! | No |
| RunCA | Y | InvokeSvc3.exe | Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Adapter related - would appear to be required | No |
| Runtt1 | X | Internat.exe | Added by the LINEAGE-R TROJAN! | No |
| Runtt1 | X | Internet.exe | Added by the LINEAGE-Q TROJAN! | No |
| SafetyNet | U | ipcTray.exe | Safety.Net from Netveda - "offers Internet security, content security and advanced Internet firewall protection for all your LAN computers, and trust controls to block unwanted or harmful applications from accessing the network" | No |
| SafetyNet_Notifier | U | ipcLn.exe | Safety.Net from Netveda - "offers Internet security, content security and advanced Internet firewall protection for all your LAN computers, and trust controls to block unwanted or harmful applications from accessing the network" | No |
| SBI | X | install_sbd_**.exe | Installer for a number of rogue security products and error fixing tools - where ** represents a 2 letter language code, i.e., "en" for English, "de" for German, etc | No |
| ScanInicio | Y | Inicio.exe | Part of Panda Antivirus. Responsible for scanning the boot sector of your disk and your memory at startup to check for viruses that try and load and act before your anti-virus is fully operational. It only adds a fraction of a second to start-up time and is worth leaving active | No |
| scheduler_monitor | U | init_scheduler.exe | Scheduler for ReaConverter advanced image converter | No |
| scvhost loader | X | ixplore.exe | Added by the SDBOT-CY TROJAN! | No |
| Secure System | X | integitor.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.ACI WORM! | No |
| Security Antivirus Xp 1 | X | inetfor.exe | Added by the SDBOT.BAV WORM! | No |
| ServiceConfig | U | ispbeg.exe | Comcast Transition Wizard. On June 30th, 2003 it will migrate E-mail and web pages from AT&T Broadband Internet to Comcast High-Speed Internet. Until then it will run at startup and then terminate - hence the U recommendation | No |
| Services | X | iexplore.exe | Added by the MOGI WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System% | No |
| Services | X | iexplorer.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) | No |
| Services | X | iexploler.exe | Added by the RANCK-LT TROJAN! | No |
| Services | X | iexpolere.exe | Added by the RANCK.LU TROJAN! | No |
| SetupICWDesktop | N | icwconn1.exe | Appears to be the "Internet Connection Wizard" from Internet Explorer being set-up as a desktop shortcut. Appears under the RunOnce registry key but is available under Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Communication (or similar) anyway | No |
| Shell | X | ibm0000*.exe [* = digit] | Added by the TORPIG-C and TORPIG-J TROJANS! Filenames spotted include ibm00001.exe, ibm00002.exe, ibm00005.exe and so on | No |
| Shell | X | ibm00001.dll | Added by the TORPIG-Q TROJAN! | No |
| Shell32 | X | iexplore.exe | Added by the IRCBOT-AY BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System% | No |
| ShellN | X | isca.exe | Added by the IBILL.Z TROJAN! | No |
| ShellRun32 | X | iexplore.exe | Added by the IRCBOT-AY BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System% | No |
| Shmgrate.exe | X | ibot4.exe | Added by the GASTER TROJAN! | No |
| slide | X | Iexplore.exe | Added by the GASLIDE TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| SM | X | iro.bat | Added by the IROFFER.CT TROJAN! | No |
| SmartDefrag | N | IObit SmartDefrag.exe | "IObit SmartDefrag helps defragment your hard drive more efficiently than any other product on the market - free or not" | No |
| SMS | X | iro.bat | Added by the IROFFER.CT TROJAN! | No |
| SM_IAN | X | ian_monitor.exe | AdvancedCleaner rogue security software - not recommended, see here. Removal instructions here | No |
| Software Manager | N | ISUSPM.exe | InstallShield is used by a number of software producers to install their programs and manage software updates. This entry searches for and performs any updates to supported installed software so you're always working with the most current version. Manually check for software updates for installed programs on a regular basis | Yes |
| Software Manager | N | issch.exe | InstallShield is used by a number of software producers to install their programs and manage software updates. This entry runs scheduled searches for and performs any updates to supported installed software so you're always working with the most current version. Manually check for software updates for installed programs on a regular basis | Yes |
| some | X | icthis.exe | Added by the ZLOB.MEDIA-CODEC TROJAN! This purports to be a Windows Media Player upgrade (with names such as "iCodecPack", "X Password Manager" and "Media-Codec") to allow the user to view adult oriented videos on certain websites - but actually downloads and installs additional malware on the user's machine. Various directories and filenames are used - see the link for details | No |
| ssate.exe | X | irun4.exe | Added by the BEAGLE.J WORM! | No |
| ssgrate.exe | X | irun.exe | Added by the MITGLIEDER.D TROJAN! | No |
| ssgrate.exe | X | irun4.exe | Added by the MITGLIEDER.F TROJAN! | No |
| start | X | isfmntr.exe | Added by the ZLOB.MEDIA-CODEC TROJAN! This purports to be a Windows Media Player upgrade (with names such as "iCodecPack", "X Password Manager" and "Media-Codec") to allow the user to view adult oriented videos on certain websites - but actually downloads and installs additional malware on the user's machine. Various directories and filenames are used - see the link for details | No |
| start | X | iebtm.exe | Added by the ZLOB.MEDIA-CODEC TROJAN! This purports to be a Windows Media Player upgrade (with names such as "iCodecPack", "X Password Manager" and "Media-Codec") to allow the user to view adult oriented videos on certain websites - but actually downloads and installs additional malware on the user's machine. Various directories and filenames are used - see the link for details | No |
| Start Upping | X | iexplorerupdt.exe | Added by the RBOT-RR WORM! | 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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