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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office | X | Microsoft Office.hta | HTA file which creates an executable on the hard drive which subsequently proceeds to download files from a malware site! | No |
| Microsoft Office | X | msoicons.exe | Added by the RBOT-ZI WORM! - NOTE - do no confuse with the legitimate Msoicons.exe file described here. The latter wil not be listed among your startups! | No |
| Microsoft Office | X | msoffice32.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Office | X | msoff.exe | Added by the RAKER-C TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Office | X | microsoft.exe | Added by the BANKER-VF TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Office | X | msvcp.exe | Added by the AGENT-XK TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Office | X | msmsgr.exe | Added by the GAOBOT.BB WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Office | X | mdm.exe | Added by the IBOT-A TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Machine Debug Manager (mdm.exe) process which is located in %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug (98/Me/XP/Vista) or C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM (Me only) | No |
| Microsoft Oftice | X | msmsgs.exe | Added by the IRCBOT.ALT WORM! Note - this particular msmsgs.exe file is located in %System% and should not be mistaken for the MSN Messenger file of the same name which is located in %Program Files%\Messenger | No |
| Microsoft PCI Manager | X | mspci.exe | Added by the RBOT.BBG WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Proc Driver32 | X | msprc.exe | Added by a variant of the WOOTBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Procedure Call | X | MSPCALL.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Protection Subsystems | X | msm32.exe | Added by the RBOT-JU WORM! | No |
| Microsoft QMGR | X | msnqmgr.exe | Added by the IRCBOT-S TROJAN! | No |
| MicroSoft Remote Secure Service | X | MSRSS.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Scanreg | X | microsoftscanreg.exe | Added by the FRANRIV.A WORM! | No |
| Microsoft SDKP3 | X | mswinsdq.exe | Added by the RBOT-ARY WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Secure | X | Messenger.NET Service | Added by the FORBOT-AM WORM! | No |
| Microsoft security adviser | X | mssadv.exe | Microsoft Security Adviser rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| Microsoft Security Hot Fix Update | X | mshotfix.exe | Affilred adware | No |
| Microsoft Security Monitor Process | X | mssmp.exe | Added by the RBOT-FUB WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Security Monitor Process | X | mnsmp.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! | No |
| Microsoft Security Monitor Process | X | msmp.exe | Added by the RBOT.GKQ WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Security Monitor Process | X | mssm32.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Security Monitor Process | X | msword.exe | Added by the VIRUT.P VIRUS! | No |
| Microsoft Security Monitor Process | X | mail.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! | No |
| Microsoft Security Monitor Process | X | mmp.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! | No |
| Microsoft Security Monitor Process | X | mssm32.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! | No |
| Microsoft Security Monitor Process | X | mssmpi32.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! See here | No |
| Microsoft Security System | X | mssecsys.exe | Added by the IRCBOT-WJ TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Server Applacations | X | msnmsg.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.BBM WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Service | X | microhost.exe | Added by the RBOT-LC WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Service 32 | X | mssvc32.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Service Information | X | msnservices.exe | Added by the RBOT.ID WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Service Tools | X | MStools1.exe | Added by the RBOT-BHT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Services | X | module.exe | Added by the LAVITS WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Services | X | msmpserv.exe | Added by the IRCBOT.BKA BACKDOOR! | No |
| Microsoft Services Unitd | X | MSU32.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Sound Volume Tool | N | mssvol.exe | This is a Blue version of the yellow speaker icon on the system tray and is used to edit advanced Sound Features that the MS DSS80 Speakers add. Should be accessible via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel | No |
| Microsoft SpA Service | X | msapps.exe | Added by the RBOT-VI WORM! | No |
| Microsoft SVC | X | mssvc.exe | Added by the BIFROSE-UQ TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Svchost local services | X | msnserver.exe | Added by the RBOT-GPM WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Syn Manager | X | Manager.exe | Added by the SDBOT.BEF WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Synchronization Manager | X | mircup.exe | Added by the SDBOT.BQD WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Synchronization Manager | X | microsoft.exe | Added by the SDBOT-OM WORM! | No |
| Microsoft System | X | msupdtm.exe | Added by the SPYBOT.PKC WORM! | No |
| Microsoft System | X | mssys32.exe | Added by the PETTICK.A WORM! | No |
| Microsoft System Firewall 2006.2 | X | msmsgr.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft System Firewall 2006.2 | X | msnmsgr.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! Note - this is not the valid MSN Messenger (now Windows Live Messenger) utility which is located in either %ProgramFiles%\MSN Messenger or %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Messenger. This one is located in %System% | No |
| Microsoft System Init | X | mtmnr0.exe | Added by the SDBOT.BR TROJAN! | 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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