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 :- 29th October, 2009
19979 items listed

"Status" key:

Variables:

- show all
Name or Startup ItemStatusCommand or DataDescriptionTested?
SETI@homeNSETI@home.exeSETI@home is a scientific experiment that uses Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). You can participate by running a free program that downloads and analyzes radio telescope dataNo
seticlientNSETI@home.exeSETI@home is a scientific experiment that uses Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). You can participate by running a free program that downloads and analyzes radio telescope dataNo
SetIconNSetIcon.exeInstalled by a 6-in-1 (4 Media Card slots, a floppy drive and a USB connection) device. Constantly updates the icons for the four Media Card slots that it has and is a resource hogNo
SetiQueueNSetiqu~1.exeProvides work unit buffering for Seti@Home clients - see here for more detailsNo
SetiSpyNSetiSpy.exeSETI Spy is a little program to "spy" on the progress and performance of the SETI@home client. Called a "spy" because it is unobtrusive as possibleNo
SetPointXSetPoint.exeAdded by the RBOT-BWI WORM! Note - this is not the valid Logitech Setpoint mouse and keyboard entry that uses the same filename and is located in the Logitech\Setpoint sub-folder of Program Files. This file is located in the System (9x/Me) or System32 (NT/2K/XP/Vista) folderNo
SetPointUSetpoint.exeLogitech SetPoint Event Manager for their range of mice and keyboards. Required if you want to use the advanced features of these devices and is located in the Logitech\Setpoint sub-folder of Program FilesNo
SetRefreshUSetRefresh.exeFound on some Compaq & HP PCs. SetRefresh is a utility which attempts to optimize the monitor's refresh rate, and in some cases the resolution, for the best user experience. See "here for more infoNo
SettingXsysweb.exeAdded by the SDBOT.GEN TROJAN!No
Setup experationXsvchost.exeAdded by the TOFGER-AW TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate svchost.exe process which is always located in the System (9x/Me) or System32 (NT/2K/XP) folder and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This file is found in the Winnt or Windows folderNo
setuzp?setuzp.exe??No
SetVrcXsetvrc.exeAdded by the HUNTOCX WORM!No
Sex TerisXst01b.exeAdded by the REPAD WORM!No
SexnowXSexnow.exeAdded by the SENOW-B premium rate adult content dialler No
Sexy_BlondesXSexy_Blondes.exeAdded by the Sexy DIALER! Related also to Hot Tarts DIALER! No
Sexy_sgXSexy_sg.exePremium rate adult content diallerNo
sfXsf.exeSurfEnhance adware componentNo
SFIGUINSFIGUI.EXESonic Focus - "enhances music, movie and game sound by analyzing compressed audio streams in realtime, then restoring and enriching audio back to its original performance qualities"No
sfitaXsfita.exeAdded by the FAVADD-H TROJAN! Also known as SurfEnhance adwareNo
sfpcUsfpc.exeSpy4PC surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourselfNo
SfWinStartInfoUsfWinStartupInfo.exeSFIRM32 Online Banking softwareNo
SgecryptUSgecrypt.exeSafeGuard Easy - "provides total company-wide protection for sensitive information on laptops and workstations. Boot protection, pre-boot user authentication and hard disk encryption using powerful algorithms guarantee against unauthorized access and hacker attacks"No
sginstUsginst.exeeAcceleration Stop-Sign security software related. Previously not recommended, see hereNo
SGTBox?SGTBox.exeCanon scanner driver. Is it required?No
sgtrayUsgtray.exeStorageGuard from Veritas. Free utility that integrates with Backup MyPC (formerly Backup Exec Desktop), Simple Backup and MS Backup. Provides system tray access and background monitoring - warning you of files that haven't recently been backed up. Required unless you backup manually on a regular basis or have scheduled backupsNo
ShadowYShadow.exe"NTI Shadow 3 is an award-winning easy-to-use backup application that automatically protects your photo, music, video, and various data files. It makes data restoration as easy as dragging and dropping files from one place to another"No
ShadowUser Pro EditionUShadowUser.exe"StorageCraft™ ShadowUser™ provides easy to use desktop security and protection for Windows operating systems. ShadowUser is the best way to prevent unwanted changes to PCs and laptops"No
shambl3r*Xshambl3r.exeAdded by the REMABL WORM! where * is 2 to 11No
SHAProcXSHAProc.exeAdded by the WINKO.AO WORM!No
ShareazaNShareaza.exeShareaza P2P clientNo
sharedpremXsharedprem.exeAdded by the MAKECALL TROJAN!No
SharpTrayUSharpTray.exePart of the Sharpdesk from Sharp Electronics. "A desktop-based, personal document management application that lets users browse, edit, search, compose, process, and forward both scanned and native electronic documents"No
shdefXshdef.exeAdded by the VB-DVS TROJAN!No
SheduIerXsvchst.exePremium rate adult content diallerNo
SheduIerXshch.exeAdded by the BDOOR-EB BACKDOOR!No
ShellXShell32.exeAdded by the BADSECTOR TROJAN!No
ShellXsvchost.exeAdded by the GOLDSPY-B TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate svchost.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%No
ShellXsmsc.exeAdded by the BANCBAN-OY TROJAN!No
Shell API32Xsvcnet.exeAdded by the TIBICK.C WORM!No
Shell ExtensionXspollsv.exeAdded by the LOVGATE.Z WORM!No
Shell Tray WindowXShellTraywnd.exeAdded by the STULTDOR-A TROJAN!No
shell updateXshellexec.exeAdded by the RBOT-ANC WORM!No
Shell.exeXShell.exeAdded by the EMERLEOX.S WORM!No
Shell32XShell32.vbsAdded by the SCAFENE WORM!No
ShellApiXSHELLMSN.EXEAdded by the NETDEV.B TROJAN!No
Shellapi32XShellapi32.exeAdded by the NETDEVIL (or NERTE) TROJAN!No
ShelldaemonXShelldaemon.exeAdded by a variant of the AGENT.ALN TROJAN!No
ShellExXShellEx.exeAdded by the ANAKHA TROJAN!No
ShellsplXspools.exeAdded by the PROXAGE-A TROJAN!No
shellsystemXshellsystem.exeAdded by the UPCHAN TROJAN!No

Download Alternative Formats

You can download off-line HTML ZIP, EXE and EXCEL ZIP versions of this list from here.

In addition the following files are available for people developing mirrors of the site and using the information presented here (right-click and select "Save Target As..." for IE and "Save Link As..." for Firefox):

Startup XML File - Startup INI File - Startup HTML File

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.

Spybot S&D

Free licenses available for Oops! Backup (by Altaro) BETA Testing - Apply online here

Copyright

Presentation, format & comments Copyright © 2001 - 2009 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

If you find the information on these pages useful, why not make a donation by E-mailing me via pacman_at_pacs-portal.co.uk (replace "_at_" with "@") or:-