Startup Applications List

Regular visitors will know that I normally update this site at the end of each month. Unfortunately I won't be doing so this month in honour of my father who passed away last week - I'm sure you can understand.

R.I.P.
James Collins
5th October, 1940 - 22nd January, 2010

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 December, 2009
20360 items listed

"Status" key:

Variables:

- show all
Name or Startup ItemStatusCommand or DataDescriptionTested?
Services hostXsvchost.comAdded by the RBOT-EU WORM!No
Services LogonXservices.exeAdded by the CROWT.A WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in Documents and Settings\<User>\TemplatesNo
Services Management ClientsXservc.exeAdded by the RIZO.A TROJAN!No
Services ManagementsXservcs.exeAdded by the RBOT-GUC WORM!No
Services ManagerXsvsmanager.exeAdded by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See hereNo
Services Manager!Xsvmanager.exeAdded by the IRCBOT.ATZ BACKDOOR!No
Services ManagersXsvcmanager.exeAdded by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See hereNo
Services ProcessXservices.exeSpyware - detected by Kaspersky as the SMALL.X TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup!No
Services ProcessXsmss.exeAdded by the SMALL-EK TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate smss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a "config" subfolderNo
Services StartupXservices.exeAdded by the CROWT.A WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %ProgramFiles%\Common FilesNo
Services StartupXsvhost33.exeAdded by a variant of the RBOT WORM!No
Services.EXEXservices.exeAdded by the KAZPING WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%No
services.exeXservicess.exeAdded by the MSNSPY-B TROJAN!No
ServicesAdministratorXSERVICES.EXEAdded by the PUNYA-B WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup!No
ServicesaraXservices.exeAdded by the BRONTOK-BS WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in Documents and Settings\<User>\Local Settings\Application Data\WINDOWSNo
ServicesNotifyUServicesNotify.exeDefender Pro AntispyNo
servicestub.exeXservicestub.exeAdded by the RBOT.CN BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate Logitech EasySync application which is found in %ProgramFiles%\Logitech\Easy Synchronization. This one is located in %Windir%No
Servicio LocalXsvhost.exeAdded by the SPYBOT.BGX WORM!No
servicoXservico.exeAdded by the BANKER-DKE TROJAN!No
ServicosXSystem.exeAdded by the BANCOS-BCM TROJAN!No
servicsXservics.exeAdded by the SINGU-J TROJAN!No
servisesXservises.exeAdded by the AGENT-JUJ WORM!No
SERVlCEXSERVlCE.EXEAdded by the AGOBOT-UB WORM!No
ServRunXsrss32.exeAdded by the AGOBOT.ABS WORM!No
ServUTrayIcon?ServUTray.exeSystem Tray icon for Serv-U FTP server. Is it required?No
SES ServiceXsesvc.exeAdded by the SDBOT-CZU WORM!No
Session ClientUsescli.exeSurfSpy keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself!No
Session Manager SubsystemXsmssa.exeAdded by the RBOT-AGS WORM!No
SESyncXsed.exeDownloadWare adwareNo
setdefprtNsetdefprt.exeUsed to set a Brother MFC printer/copier/scanner as the default printer after installationNo
SetHookNSethook.exeFellowes Neato® cd label design software. "Launch NEATO's MediaFACE II label making software directly from the productname toolbar"No
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 %ProgramFiles%\Logitech\Setpoint. This one is located in %System%No
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

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

Sponsored link: Leased Line

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

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:-