Startup Applications List
Unfortunately, due to a change in my circumstances, the startup programs database here at Sysinfo.org will no longer be updated and the off-line downloads are no longer available. The version at Pacman's Portal will, however, continue to be updated and it's recommended that you refer to that site for more up to date information. The reason for this change in policy cannot be disclosed at this time but I hope you have enjoyed using the database here and thank you for your support and kind comments over the years.
Paul Collins
If you're frustrated with the time it takes your Windows 7/Vista/XP PC to boot and then it seems to be running slowly you may have too many programs running at start-up - and you 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 accurate and comprehensive. Services are not included - see below. The database is mirrored in a slightly different format at Pacman's Portal.
"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 you may want to also visit this page.
For further information on random startup entries please visit the Startups Info page.
Last update :- 29th July, 2011
24133 items listed
"Status" key:
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| msrundll | X | msrund1l32.exe | Added by the BINGHE TROJAN! | No |
| msrunocx32 | X | msrunocx32.exe | Added by the SKUS WORM! | No |
| Mss Serv | X | msssrv.exe | Added by the SLENFBOT.AA WORM! | No |
| Mss VC | X | mssvc.exe | Added by the OPANKI.AB WORM! | No |
| mssaru | X | mssaru.exe | Added by the AGENT.AM TROJAN! Note - example names include "XviD", "Winamp Remote", "Windows Media Player" and "Futuremark" | No |
| msscan.exe | X | msscan.exe | Microsoft Security Adviser rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| MSSCDL | U | MSSCDLL.exe | SpyCapture keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! | No |
| mssdbsrv | X | msupdtck.exe | Added by a variant of a password stealing TROJAN! | No |
| MSSER | U | msser.exe | Meplex adware | No |
| msserrv32 | X | msserrv32.exe | Added by the STRATION.DW WORM! | No |
| msserv | X | msserv.exe | Added by the BLACKLOG-A TROJAN! | No |
| msserv32 | X | msserv32.exe | Added by the RBOT-ACK WORM! | No |
| MsServer | X | msfun80.exe | Added by the VB-CYG WORM! | No |
| MsServer | X | msfir80.exe | Added by the VB-CYJ TROJAN! | No |
| msservice | X | msserv.exe | Added by the HYD WORM! | No |
| Msshield.exe | X | Msshield.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| MSShow | X | MSShow.exe | Added by the QQROB-M TROJAN! | No |
| MSSHVC | X | MSSHVC.exe | Added by the NUFFY.A WORM! | No |
| mssoul | X | msmscc2.exe | Added by the DAPIZL.A banker WORM! (A "banker worm" is designed to pillage banking information and send it back to the perpetrators!) | No |
| mssoul | X | msmscc.exe | Added by the BANCOS.HKT TROJAN! | No |
| mssp3 | X | mssp22.exe | Added by the IBANK-D TROJAN! | No |
| MSSQL | X | Mssql.exe | Added by the SDBOT TROJAN! | No |
| MSSQL for Windows NT & XP | X | mssqlsnt.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| MSSQL Manager | X | mssqlmgr.exe | Added by the RBOT-BWU WORM! | No |
| mssrv32 | X | mssrv32.exe | Added by the AGENT-NKX TROJAN! | No |
| mssSort | N | msssort.exe | Maxtor (now Seagate) "Drag and Sort" for their external storage - "Just drag documents onto the Shared Storage II icon and Maxtor's Drag and Sort organizes your files, placing them in appropriate shared folders" | No |
| Msstart | X | msstart.exe | Added by the LIVUP.C BACKDOOR! | No |
| msstask | X | msstask.exe | Added by the MYPARTY WORM! | No |
| mssurfer lptt01 | X | mssurfer.exe | RapidBlaster variant (in a "surfer" folder in Program Files). A dedicated "RapidBlaster Killer" removal tool used to be available but quality anti-malware tools will now remove it | No |
| mssurfer ml097e | X | mssurfer.exe | RapidBlaster variant (in a "surfer" folder in Program Files). A dedicated "RapidBlaster Killer" removal tool used to be available but quality anti-malware tools will now remove it | No |
| MSSVC.EXE | Y | MSSVC.EXE | StealthDisk - hides folders, files and applications. Will also encrypt them for better protection | No |
| mssvc32 | X | mssvc32.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-ME WORM! | No |
| mssync20 | X | mssync20.exe | Added by the LDPINC-QC TROJAN! | No |
| mssys | X | mssys.exe | Added by the MYSS.B TROJAN! | No |
| mssyslanhelper | X | msmsgri32.exe | Added by the RANDEX.D WORM! | No |
| MsSystem | X | msdos.exe | Adult content downloader - see here | No |
| MsSystem | X | mssys.exe | Added by the VANTA.A TROJAN! | No |
| Mstapi | U | Mstapi.exe | Keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! | No |
| Mstask | X | mstask.exe | Added by the OPASERV.N WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate mstask.exe system file and the executable resides in %Windir% | No |
| mstask | X | mstask.exe | Browser hijacker - redirecting to find-more.net. Note - this is not the legitimate mstask.exe system file | No |
| Mstask | X | MSDTC.exe | Added by the STAP-D WORM! | No |
| MSTask Monitor | X | mstaskmon.exe | Added by the SDBOT-LU WORM! | No |
| Mstask32driver | X | Mstask32.exe | Added by the LOONY-D TROJAN! | No |
| mstasks | X | mstasks.exe | Added by the MULTIDR-AY TROJAN! | No |
| Mstcgww | ? | MSTCGWW.EXE | ?? | No |
| mstds.exe | X | mstds.exe | Added by the IPTABLES TROJAN! | No |
| mstg32.exe | X | mstg32.exe | Added by the AGENT.BI TROJAN! | No |
| MSTMON_N | N | MSTMON_N.EXE | Generates an error message on startup if a Konica Minolta printer is not turned on and ready | No |
| MSTMON_Q | N | MSTMON_Q.exe | Generates an error message on startup if the Konica Minolta PagePro 1350W printer is not turned on and ready | No |
| Mstng32 | X | MSTng32.exe | Added by the TANG WORM! | No |
Notes & Warnings
Variables:
DISCLAIMER: It is assumed that users are familiar with the operating system they are using and comfortable with making the suggested changes. We will not be held responsible if changes you make cause a system failure.
WARNING: 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 entries listed in this database where specific removal instructions haven't been given. If this is the case then you could try ComboFix, a program written by sUBs that can remove many different types of Trojans and Worms. See here for a tutorial on how to use the program
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.
SERVICES: "Services" from the NT/2K/XP/Vista/7 operating systems are not included. I fully understand that some programs with these OS's use "Services" as an alternative to load their component parts at startup but these are handled in a different way. We recommend you try BlackViper for information on services for the relevant operating systems.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you're looking for a startup manager then why not 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.
As there are more than 10,000 entries in this database related to viruses, trojans, worms and other malware we recommend you use a quality internet security package. Which ever you choose, keep it updated.
Copyright
Presentation, format & comments Copyright © 2001 - 2011 Pacman's Portal
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