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] [2100-2149] [2150-2199] [2200-2249] [2250-2299] [2300-2349] [2350-2399] [2400-2449] [2450-2499] [2500-2549] [2550-2599] [2600-2649] [2650-2699] [2700-2749] [2750-2799] [2800-2849] [2850-2899] [2900-2949] [2950-2999] [3000-3049] [3050-3099] [3100-3149] [3150-3199] [3200-3249] [3250-3299] [3300-3349] [3350-3399] [3400-3449] [3450-3470] | ||||
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Service | X | secsvc.exe | Added by the RBOT-GGF WORM! | No |
| Security Service DB | X | secservice.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here | No |
| Security Service Process | X | svhost.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-LC WORM! | No |
| Security System | X | securesys.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here | No |
| Security Update Service Process | X | svrhost23.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-GN WORM! | No |
| SecurityCenter | X | securitycenter.exe | Desktop Security 2010 rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| SecurityFighter | X | SecurityFighter.exe | SecurityFighter rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here. A member of the WiniGuard family | No |
| SecurityScanner | X | ss2008.exe | Security Scanner 2008 rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| SecuritySoldier | X | SecuritySoldier.exe | SecuritySoldier rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here. A member of the WiniGuard family | No |
| SECWIZ98 | Y | SECWIZ98.EXE | Security Wizard 98 by Chris Farmer. Offers you a variety of ways to restrict access to many of the programs and settings on your PC. Available here | No |
| seekmo | X | seekmo.exe | 180Solutions.Seekmo adware - also see here | No |
| SeekmoSA | X | SeekmoSA.exe | 180Solutions.Seekmo adware variant - also see here | No |
| seeve | X | seeve.exe | Medload adware | No |
| Select server | X | slcsvr.exe | Added by the DLOADER-WD TROJAN! | No |
| SelfHostUtil | ? | slefhost.exe | ?? | No |
| SemanticInsight | X | SemanticInsight.exe | RXToolbar adware. Software that displays pop-up/pop-under advertisements when the primary user interface is not visible | No |
| SeMS | U | SeMS.exe | PCsms - tool that enables you to send sms text messages from your PC to any UK mobile phone | No |
| SendMail | U | SendMail.exe | Part of the MySuperSPy surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself. Located in %ProgramFiles%\Myss | No |
| Sensiva | U | Sensiva.exe | Symbol Commander makes the use of your PC, laptop, Tablet PC, and Pocket PC much easier and much faster. It recognizes your handwriting with unparalled performance and executes commands in a snap. Just by using your mouse, pen, or touchpad, simply draw symbols to execute actions instantly | No |
| SENTRY | X | SENTRY.exe | From IP Insight. Allows website owners "to instantly determine the precise geographic location, connection speed and detailed demographics of every visitor to your website". Will be detected by most firewalls and the majority of home users should disable it | No |
| Sepate Security Firewall | X | sepate.exe | Added by the RBOT.BLC BACKDOOR! | No |
| SEPCSuite | N | SEPCSuite.exe | System Tray access to Sony Ericsson PC Suite which "connects your phone to your computer and expands the capabilities of your phone". Run manually via the Start Menu (or optional desktop shortcut) before connecting the phone | Yes |
| septpop06apsept | X | septpop06apsept.exe | MediaMotor.Popupwithcast adware | No |
| Serials | X | serials.exe | Any one of a variety of worms and trojans | No |
| Serices Hostin | X | servicez.exe | Added by the SLENFBOT.MF WORM! | No |
| serpe | X | serbw.exe | Added by the SERFLOG.A WORM! | No |
| serrdctl.exe | Y | serrdctl.exe | "Shared Modem Service Client Event Viewer" - used when a number of PCs have access to a number of modems. Required to be running on each PC for access to the modems | No |
| serrv | X | serrv.exe | Added by the WAREZOV.DC WORM! | No |
| Serv-U | N | serv-u32.exe | FTP server | No |
| server | X | server.exe | Added by the DELTAD.A WORM! | No |
| server | X | system.exe | Added by the METHS-A TROJAN! | No |
| server | X | server.exe | Added by the SINGU-Q TROJAN! | No |
| Server Application for MFP Server | Y | ServoApp.exe | Multi Function Printer (MFP) Server Agent for Belkin's Wirless G All-in-One Print Server and ZyXEL's NPS-520 | No |
| Server Backbone | X | server05.exe | Added by the RBOT-ZM WORM! | No |
| Server Daemon Host Manager | X | sdhost.exe | Added by the RBOT-GWC WORM! | No |
| SERVER.EXE | X | SERVER.EXE | Added by the BUSHTRO122 or SMOKODOOR TROJANS! | No |
| serverex | X | Server.txt.vbs | Added by the DELTAD.A WORM! | No |
| Serverx | X | Serverx.exe | Added by the MADANGEL VIRUS! | No |
| Service | X | service.exe | Added by the ALADINZ.H TROJAN! | No |
| Service | X | services.exe -serv | Added by the NETSKY or NETSKY.B WORMS! 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 |
| Service | X | SYSNT.exe | Added by the CHA TROJAN! | No |
| Service | X | Service.pif | Added by the ASSIRAL-C WORM! | No |
| Service Connection | N | sccenter.exe | For Compaq PC's. Part of Backweb | No |
| Service Control Manager | X | scm.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-GD BACKDOOR! | No |
| Service Controller | X | service.exe | Added by the PREVERT TROJAN! | No |
| Service Host | X | svchost.exe | Added by the TORVEL WORM! 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 |
| Service Host | X | spoolxx.exe | Added by the TORVEL WORM! | No |
| Service Host | X | svchost.exe | Added by the DAOSER-A 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 %System%\Services\{C922CCC4-CF61-4589-A0D1-828160704853} | No |
| Service Host | X | svchost.exe | Added by the DAOSER-C 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 %System%\Services\[random] | No |
| Service Host | X | svchosts.exe | PornCleanser spyware | 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] [2100-2149] [2150-2199] [2200-2249] [2250-2299] [2300-2349] [2350-2399] [2400-2449] [2450-2499] [2500-2549] [2550-2599] [2600-2649] [2650-2699] [2700-2749] [2750-2799] [2800-2849] [2850-2899] [2900-2949] [2950-2999] [3000-3049] [3050-3099] [3100-3149] [3150-3199] [3200-3249] [3250-3299] [3300-3349] [3350-3399] [3400-3449] [3450-3470] | ||||
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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