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] [1150-1170] | ||||
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RtWLan | U | RtWLan.exe | Configuration utility for the Netgear WG111 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter that "provides wireless access to your desktop or notebook PC through the computer's USB port" | No |
| RubeL | X | RubeL.exe | Added by the RUBY-B TROJAN! | No |
| Ruby13 | X | Ruby13.exe | Added by the MEXER.E WORM! | No |
| Ruby14 | X | Ruby14.exe | Added by the FIGHTRUB-A WORM! | No |
| RuLaunch | U | RuLaunch.exe | Instant Updater for McAfee's VirusScan, Internet Security, Quick Clean, Uninstaller and Firewall products. In the case of VirusScan leave it enabled unless you update manually on a regular basis | No |
| Run | X | real.exe | Added by the LOVGATE.E WORM! | No |
| run | X | rundll32.exe rsrc.dll | Chinese originated browser hijacker - redirecting to 4199.com Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted | No |
| Run05 | X | rundll_32.exe | Added by the BANCOS-DT TROJAN! | No |
| run32 | X | run32dll.exe | Added by the SDBOT-CWB WORM! | No |
| run= | U | ramsys.exe | Advanced Startup Manager from Rays Lab | No |
| run= | X | RAVMOND.exe | Added by the LOVGATE-F WORM! | No |
| run= | X | RegistryReminder.exe | Added by the APSTROJAN.OB TROJAN! | No |
| runAP | N | runAP.exe | Not required but what is it? | No |
| Runapp32 | X | Runapp32.exe | Added by the NEODURK TROJAN! | No |
| Rund11 | X | Rund11.EXE | Added by the MARIO-C WORM! | No |
| rund1132 | X | rund1132.exe | Added by the DOPBOT-A WORM! | No |
| Rund1132.exe | X | Rund1132.exe | Added by the STARTPA-HS TROJAN! | No |
| runddlfile | X | runddl.exe | Added by the DELF.D TROJAN! | No |
| Rundil32 | X | runlli32.exe | Added by the QQPASS-U TROJAN! | No |
| rundli32 | X | rundli32.exe | Added by the LADE WORM! | No |
| RunDLL | X | rundll32.exe [path] Bridge.dll,Load | Flingstone.com browser hijacker. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted | No |
| Rundll | X | Rundll~.exe | Added by the DELF-KT TROJAN! | No |
| Rundll | X | rundll32.exe [random filename].dll | Added by the MYTOB.IG WORM! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The random DLL file is found in %System% | No |
| RunDll | X | RunDll.exe | Added by the QQPASS-AH TROJAN! Note - this is NOT the Win9x/Me system file of the same name as described here | No |
| RunDLL Kernel File Core | X | rundll.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! Note - this is NOT the Win9x/Me system file of the same name as described here | No |
| Rundll16 | X | Rundll16.exe | Added by a number of VIRUSES, WORMS and TROJANS! | No |
| Rundll32 | X | Rundll32.exe | Added by a variant of the DVLDR TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate rundll32.exe process, which is found in %Windir% (98/ME) or %System% (NT/2K/XP). This one is located in %Windir%\Fonts | No |
| RUNDLL32 | U | RUNDLL32.EXE NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon | Installed with display drivers for NVIDIA based graphics cards prior to late 2002, this entry allows the System Tray icon to be displayed - which gives access to (amongst others) the display settings (such as Antialiasing, OpenGL, Direct3D and colour) and Desktop Manager (nView). If you don't change display settings very often then this is not required and settings can be changed manually via display properties | Yes |
| RunDLL32 | U | RunDLL32.exe NvMCTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit | Installed with display drivers for NVIDIA based graphics cards since late 2002, this entry allows the System Tray icon to be displayed - which gives access to (amongst others) the display settings (such as Antialiasing, Rotation and Colour) and the Desktop Manager (nView). If you don't change display settings very often then this is not required and settings can be changed manually via display properties. No tray icon option is available in Vista. May be required for some 3D applications to recognize your card correctly - such as the game "Everquest" | Yes |
| Rundll32 | U | Rundll32.exe ptipbm.dll, SetWriteBack | Installed with the miniport drivers for Promise hard drive controllers in both RAID and non-RAID installations. Tells the drivers that the connected Drives should use the "Write Back" Caching. You can disable this if you don't want to use "Write Back" Caching or if you have not connected any driver to your Promise Controller | No |
| rundll32 | ? | rundll32.exe ptipbmf.dll, SetWriteCacheMode | Installed with the miniport drivers for Promise hard drive controllers in both RAID and non-RAID installations. May be necessary in order to maintain preferences applied to the RAID array connected to the Promise controller | No |
| rundll32 | X | rundll32.exe | Added by the SANKER WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate rundll32.exe process, which is found in %Windir% (98/ME) or %System% (NT/2K/XP). This one is located in %Windir% | No |
| RUNDLL32 | X | rundl32.exe | Added by the DEMOTRY-A WORM! | No |
| rundll32 | X | rundll32.exe | Added by the AGENT-EZ TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate rundll32.exe process, which is found in %Windir% (98/ME) or %System% (NT/2K/XP). This one is located in %System%\SHELLEXT | No |
| Rundll32 | X | RUNDDLL32.EXE | Added by the STARTPAGE.AXH TROJAN! | No |
| rundll32 | X | rookie.vbs | Added by the ROOKIE-A TROJAN! | No |
| rundll32 | X | rundll64.exe | Added by the DELF.BKC TROJAN! | No |
| rundll32 | U | rundll32.exe nview.dll,nViewLoadHook | Part of NVIDIA's NVIEW Display Management Software - included in drivers for consumer and professional graphics products. In earlier drivers this entry enables the Desktop Manager and makes it's features such as multiple desktops and hot keys available to the user. Available via Control Panel → NVIDIA nView Desktop Manager | Yes |
| Rundll32 cmicnfg | N | Rundll32 cmicnfg.cpl, CMICtrlWnd | System tray control panel for C-Media based soundcards - often included on popular motherboards with in-built audio. Available via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel | No |
| RunDll32 essprops | Y | RunDll32 essprops.cpl, TaskbarIconWnd | Associated with a Logitech mouse - required for proper operation | No |
| Rundll32 P17 | U | Rundll32 P17.dll, P17Helper | ASIO (Audio Stream In/Out) drivers for the SoundBlaster Audigy 2 series soundcards - for recording and home project studios. Required if you use this functionality | No |
| Rundll32.exe | X | Root.exe | Added by the GRUEL WORM! | No |
| Rundll32_7 | X | rundll32.exe MSIEFR40.DLL, DllRunServer | BrowserAid/BrowserPal foistware. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted | No |
| Rundll32_8 | X | rundll32.exe inetp60.dll, DllRunServer | BrowserAid/BrowserPal foistware. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted | No |
| Rundll32_8 | X | rundll32.exe 1.dll, DllRunServer | BrowserAid/BrowserPal foistware. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted | No |
| RundllSvr | X | Rundll.exe | Added by the HUAYU WORM! Note - this is NOT the Win9x/Me system file of the same name as described here | No |
| Rundllsystem32 | X | Rundllsystem32.exe | Added by the NETDEVIL.B TROJAN! | No |
| RUNDNB | X | Rundnb.exe | Added by the DIALER-C dialler! | No |
| Rundnm | X | Rundnm.exe | Added by the DELF-HA TROJAN! | No |
| runner1 | X | retadpu.exe | Added by the AGENT.SLZ 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] [1150-1170] | ||||
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.
| Sponsored links: | Leased Line | Polycom Soundstation 2 | UK VPN | SDSL |
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
Support