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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiteVillain | X | SiteVillain.exe | SiteVillain rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AntiAID family | No |
| sixer566 | X | sscc.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| sixtysix | X | sixtypopsix.exe | Medload adware | No |
| SK51 | U | SK51.EXE | SaveKeys keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! | No |
| SK60 | U | SK60.EXE | SaveKeys keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! | No |
| SK9910DM | U | SK9910DM.EXE | Multi-function keyboard driver. Allows the use of programmable keys on mulimedia keyboards. Required if you use the additional keys | No |
| SKDAEMON | U | SKDAEMON.EXE | Multi-function keyboard driver. Allows the use of programmable keys on mulimedia keyboards. Required if you use the additional keys | No |
| skinkers | U | skinkers.exe | Selection of desktop messaging/marketing tools with celebrity tie-ins including MTV's "Desktop Ozzy" and Arsenal's "Desktop Wenger" - see here. Leave enabled if you want to receive messages | No |
| Skra | X | Skra.exe | Identified as a variant of the TrojanDownloader.Matcash malware | No |
| sks-32 | U | SKS32P~1.EXE | SpyKeySpy surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| sks-32 | U | sks32proc.exe | SpyKeySpy surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| Skunk | X | Skunk.exe | Added by the SUNK-A WORM! Note - this file is found in the root folder (i.e., C:\) | No |
| SkyBlaster Scheduler | Y | SSFSch.exe | For Gilat Communications internet satellite systems - associated with SkyBlaster modem. Required if you have this system | No |
| skynetave.exe | X | skynetave.exe | Added by the SASSER.D WORM! | No |
| Skype | N | Skype.exe | Skype is "free calls, video calls and instant messaging over the internet. Plus great value calls to phones anywhere in the world" | Yes |
| Skype Startup | X | skyp.exe | Added by the VANBOT-C WORM! | No |
| SkypeMate | N | SkypeMate.exe | SkypeMate acts as a bridge between networks of VoIP and PSTN | No |
| SkypeStartup | X | Skype.exe | Added by the PYKSE-A WORM! | No |
| SkySurfer Management Service | Y | SmaServ.exe | For Gilat Communications internet satellite systems - associated with SkyBlaster modem. Required if you have this system | No |
| Skytel | U | Skytel.exe | Realtek Voice Manager, installed with the drivers for on-board Realtek HD audio codecs. On an ALC885 based test system it doesn't run after the drivers have been installed and the startup entry is then removed. Disabling it appears to have no ill effects but it's exact purpose is unknown - hence the "U" recommendation | Yes |
| Slayhacker734 | X | slay7383.exe | Added by the SIKBOT-A TROJAN! | No |
| SleepManager | N | SleepMgr.exe | This program locates free contiguous disk spaces and allocates them for storing BASE MEMORY, EXTENDED MEMORY, VIDEO MEMORY, and SM RAM. It helps the computer come out of hibernate mode | No |
| Slibe.com | U | Sliber.EXE | Sliber - freeware screen capturing & online sharing tool | No |
| SlickRun | U | sr.exe | "SlickRun is a floating command line utility for Windows. It gives you almost instant access to any program or website. SlickRun allows you to create command aliases (known as MagicWords), so C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe becomes MAIL" | No |
| slimp3 | N | SliMP3 Server.exe | Slimp3 Server - "presents an entirely new way of accessing and enjoying your music collection. Instead of storing your music on CDs or memory cards, the SliMP3 uses your home network to access the music stored on your PC" | No |
| Slingshot | N | SLINGS~1.EXE | Atomica Slingshot - "reference tool with access to dictionary and encyclopedia terms, bios, technical terms, history, geography, and much more". Now superseed by 1-Click Answers | No |
| slipcore | Y | slipcore.exe | Core module for Slipstream - internet acceleration through compression/decompression techniques, intelligent cacheing on the server side, and real-time conversion of large/high-bandwidth images to less bulky pix. Used by popular ISPs such as IceNet, Wanadoo, Terra, OnSpeed, United Online and AOL Canada. Required if the user's account is locked in to that proxy server | No |
| slipgui | Y | slipgui.exe | User interface for Slipstream - internet acceleration through compression/decompression techniques, intelligent cacheing on the server side, and real-time conversion of large/high-bandwidth images to less bulky pix. Used by popular ISPs such as IceNet, Wanadoo, Terra, OnSpeed, United Online and AOL Canada. Required if the user's account is locked in to that proxy server | No |
| SlipStream | Y | slipcore.exe | Core module for Slipstream - internet acceleration through compression/decompression techniques, intelligent cacheing on the server side, and real-time conversion of large/high-bandwidth images to less bulky pix. Used by popular ISPs such as IceNet, Wanadoo, Terra, OnSpeed, United Online and AOL Canada. Required if the user's account is locked in to that proxy server | No |
| slmss | X | slmss.exe | SeekSeek search hijacker related - see here | No |
| sload | X | sload.exe | Win SynchroAd adware, also detected as DLOADER-QG TROJAN! | No |
| sload | X | sload32.exe | Added by the SDBOT-OY WORM! | No |
| slvchost32 | X | slvchost32.exe | Added by an unidentified VIRUS, WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| sm | X | sa_exe.exe | Added by the OLFEB.A TROJAN! | No |
| sm | X | sf_exe.exe | Added by the OLFEB.A TROJAN! | No |
| sm | X | sm_exe.exe | Added by the OLFEB.A TROJAN! | No |
| sm | X | sr_exe.exe | Added by the LUKUSPAM TROJAN! | No |
| SM1BG | N | SM1BG.EXE | USB driver for downloading from within Napster and iTunes to portable MP3 players. Only required at startup if you use it all the time - otherwise start it manually when required | No |
| SM1NINT | N | SM1NINT.exe | Cypress USB Mass Storage Driver Notification Icon Application - tray notification for Cypress base memory sticks and external storage devices for Win98 | No |
| SM56 Helper Win32 Utility | N | sm56hlpr.exe | Helper utility for Motorola based SM56 software modems - resides in the System Tray | No |
| Sm56acl | N | sm56hlpr.exe | Helper utility for Motorola based SM56 software modems - resides in the System Tray | No |
| sma | U | sma.exe | SmartKeylogger keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! | No |
| SManager | X | smanager.*.exe [* = digit] | Added by the AGENT.BJO TROJAN! | No |
| SManager | X | smanager.7.exe | Added by the DWNLDR-GVG TROJAN! | No |
| Smart Antivirus-2009.exe | X | Smart Antivirus-2009.exe | Smart Antivirus 2009 rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| Smart Card Service | N | ScardSvr.exe | For Smart Card readers. Known to cause problems, especially for Windows 2000 users - see here. Probably not required unless you use such a device regularly | No |
| Smart Connect Monitor | U | SCMon.exe | Appears on a Sony Vaio. Smart Connect Version 2.1 enables data transfer between Vaios via i.LINK cable. Smart Connect supports File and Printer Sharing for MS networks. You can copy files from your Vaio to another Vaio or print using a printer connected to a remote Vaio | No |
| Smart Connect Setup | U | SCSetup.exe | Appears on a Sony Vaio. Smart Connect Version 2.1 enables data transfer between Vaios via i.LINK cable. Smart Connect supports File and Printer Sharing for MS networks. You can copy files from your Vaio to another Vaio or print using a printer connected to a remote Vaio | No |
| Smart Defender PRO | X | smrtdefp.exe | Smart Defender PRO rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| Smart Keyboard | U | Smartkbd.exe | Netropa Smart Keyboard driver | 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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