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:
all others A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [0-49] [50-99] [100-149] [150-199] [200-249] [250-299] [300-349] [350-399] [400-449] [450-499] [500-549] [550-599] [600-649] [650-699] [700-749] [750-799] [800-849] [850-899] [900-949] [950-999] [1000-1049] [1050-1099] [1100-1149] [1150-1199] [1200-1249] [1250-1299] [1300-1349] [1350-1399] [1400-1449] [1450-1499] [1500-1549] [1550-1599] [1600-1649] [1650-1699] [1700-1749] [1750-1799] [1800-1849] [1850-1899] [1900-1949] [1950-1999] [2000-2049] [2050-2099] [2100-2113] | ||||
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sysmon | X | msnmssgs.exe | Added by the SDBOT.FK WORM! | No |
| SysmonLog | X | mslog.exe | Added by the AGENT.AOV TROJAN! | No |
| sysPersonalFirewall | X | msnmssgr.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| SysPool | Y | Mssvc.exe | StealthDisk - hides folders, files and applications. Will also encrypt them for better protection | No |
| SysPool | X | MSSVC32.EXE | Added by the BANCBAN-IO TROJAN! | No |
| system | X | messenger.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| system | X | Microsoft Office.exe | Added by the BANCBAN-LH TROJAN! | No |
| System Backup | X | msystem.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| System Document Application | X | msdocument.exe | Added by the RANDEX.COX WORM! | No |
| System driver | X | Messenger.exe | Added by the WOOTBOT.GI WORM! | No |
| System Efficiency Monitor | X | mscedit32.exe | Added by the SDBOT.P TROJAN! | No |
| System Efficiency Monitor | X | mscommand.exe | Added by the KWBOT.P WORM! | No |
| System Efficiency Monitor | X | msedit32.exe | Added by the STEPH-B WORM! | No |
| system firewall | X | makeini32.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-PS WORM! | No |
| System Guard | X | mhguard.exe | Added by the RBOT-AGU WORM! | No |
| System Information Manager | X | Msbb.exe | Added by the SLINBOT.YR BACKDOOR! | No |
| System Information Manager | X | mslog.exe | Added by the DELF.AKO TROJAN! | No |
| System Initialization | X | msmsgri32.exe | Added by the RANDEX.D WORM or ROXY or ROXY.B TROJANS! | No |
| System Monitoring | X | Mooks.EXE | Added by the BHARAT.A WORM! | No |
| System MScvb | X | mscvb32.exe | Added by the SOBIG.C WORM! | No |
| System Service | X | MSREXE.EXE | Added by the AML TROJAN! | No |
| System Service | X | msnwindows.exe | Added by the SPYBOT.YCL WORM! | No |
| System Service | X | msnxpexe.exe | Added by the RBOT-AUA WORM! | No |
| System Tray | X | msccn32.exe | Added by the SOBIG.B WORM! Warning - spreading via infected E-mail attachments with the sender address faked as support@microsoft.com! Note - this is not the legitimate systray.exe process | No |
| System Update | X | mssetupconf.exe | Added by the RBOT.DLC WORM! | No |
| System Update Application | X | msbuffer.exe | Added by the SDBOT.AFF WORM! | No |
| System Updates 4 | X | mssysfix.exe | Added by the RBOT-ADU WORM! | No |
| System-Config | X | msptmf32.com | Added by the LIOTEN.FA WORM! | No |
| System51616 | X | msnmsgesser.exe | Added by a variant of the PUSHBOT WORM! A family of worms that spread using MSN Messenger | No |
| SystemB | X | MessengerStopper.exe | MessStopper adware | No |
| SystemBackup | X | mtx.exe | Added by the MTX VIRUS/WORM! | No |
| SystemBackup | X | MicroLog.exe | Added by the MICROLOG.A TROJAN! | No |
| SystemBoot | X | Mshta.exe ...filename.hta | Adult content dialler | No |
| Systemboot | X | msnsngr.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| SystemData | X | MBlocker.exe | Messenger Blocker rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| SystemDrive | X | maxpaynow1.exe | Added by the TIBS.BKU TROJAN! | No |
| systemdrv | X | ms32sys.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN - most likely GAOBOT variant | No |
| SystemMD | X | md.exe | Homepage hijacker | No |
| SystemOptimizer2008 | X | main.exe | SystemOptimizer2008 rogue optimization utility - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| SystemService | X | msocfg.exe | Premium rate adult content dialler | No |
| SystemSuite Task Manager | U | MXTASK.EXE | vcom (nee Ontrack) SystemSuite - PC maintenance and security. Use the program's configuration options to enable only the parts you want running all the time - such as Virusscanner Pro | No |
| SystemTray | X | mssgl2.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| SystrayServices | X | Msxpw.exe | Added by the CITOR WORM! | No |
| Systweak Memory Optimizer | U | memtuneup.exe | Part of SysTweak Advanced System Optimizer | No |
| T2W | X | Memoria.exe | Added by the DROPPER.CYG TROJAN! | No |
| taskmgr.exe | X | mirc.exe | Added by a variant of the AGENT.AH TROJAN! | No |
| TCPIP Protocol | X | mstcpip.exe | Added by the SDBOT-LR WORM! | No |
| TelstraClear Broadband Support | U | matcli.exe | "matcli.exe is a motive Assistant Command line interface that gathers information about your system's identity like your name email address, city, county, etc and gets written to a log file". TelstraClear Broadband Support is required to run with the Help and Support program. If you uncheck TelstraClear Broadband Support and then run Help and Support it will add another TelstraClear Broadband Support entry in the startup menu. If you remove this software in "add/remove programs" some help menus in help and support will not be available. You decide | No |
| TELUS eCare | U | matcli.exe | TELUS Resolution Assistant. "matcli.exe is a motive Assistant Command line interface that gathers information about your system's identity like your name email address, city, state, etc and gets written to a log file". TELUS Resolution Assistant is required to run with the Help and Support program. If you uncheck TELUS Resolution Assistant and then run Help and Support it will add another in the startup menu. If you remove TELUS Resolution Assistant via add/remove programs some menus in Help and Support will not be available. You decide | No |
| Terminal Services | X | mstscc.exe | Added by the SDBOT-CZW WORM! | No |
all others A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [0-49] [50-99] [100-149] [150-199] [200-249] [250-299] [300-349] [350-399] [400-449] [450-499] [500-549] [550-599] [600-649] [650-699] [700-749] [750-799] [800-849] [850-899] [900-949] [950-999] [1000-1049] [1050-1099] [1100-1149] [1150-1199] [1200-1249] [1250-1299] [1300-1349] [1350-1399] [1400-1449] [1450-1499] [1500-1549] [1550-1599] [1600-1649] [1650-1699] [1700-1749] [1750-1799] [1800-1849] [1850-1899] [1900-1949] [1950-1999] [2000-2049] [2050-2099] [2100-2113] | ||||
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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