Startup Applications List
Unfortunately, due to a change in my circumstances, the startup programs database here at Sysinfo.org will no longer be updated and the off-line downloads are no longer available. The version at Pacman's Portal will, however, continue to be updated and it's recommended that you refer to that site for more up to date information. The reason for this change in policy cannot be disclosed at this time but I hope you have enjoyed using the database here and thank you for your support and kind comments over the years.
Paul Collins
If you're frustrated with the time it takes your Windows 7/Vista/XP PC to boot and then it seems to be running slowly you may have too many programs running at start-up - and you 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 accurate and comprehensive. Services are not included - see below. The database is mirrored in a slightly different format at Pacman's Portal.
"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 you may want to also visit this page.
For further information on random startup entries please visit the Startups Info page.
Last update :- 29th July, 2011
24133 items listed
"Status" key:
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| setup.exe | X | setup.exe | Added by the GOLDUN-GB TROJAN! | No |
| setuzp | ? | setuzp.exe | ?? | No |
| SetVrc | X | setvrc.exe | Added by the HUNTOCX WORM! | No |
| SevenSowrd | X | SysSevenSowrd.exe | Added by the AGENT-GIR TROJAN! | No |
| Sex Teris | X | st01b.exe | Added by the REPAD WORM! | No |
| Sexnow | X | Sexnow.exe | Added by the SENOW-B premium rate adult content dialler | No |
| Sexy_Blondes | X | Sexy_Blondes.exe | Added by the Sexy DIALER! Related also to Hot Tarts DIALER! | No |
| Sexy_sg | X | Sexy_sg.exe | Premium rate adult content dialler | No |
| sf | X | sf.exe | SurfEnhance adware | No |
| SFIGUI | N | SFIGUI.EXE | Sonic 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 |
| sfita | X | sfita.exe | Added by the FAVADD-H TROJAN! | No |
| sfpc | U | sfpc.exe | Spy4PC surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| SfWinStartInfo | U | sfWinStartupInfo.exe | SFIRM32 Online Banking software | No |
| Sgecrypt | U | Sgecrypt.exe | SafeGuard 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 |
| sginst | U | sginst.exe | eAcceleration Stop-Sign security software related - previously not recommended (see here). It has now been delisted, so make sure you have the latest version - hence the "U" recommendation | No |
| SGPUpdater | X | sgpUpdaters.exe | Fast Browser Search/Search Guard Plus parasite - installed with "Make the Web Better" applications such as My Web Tattoo, My Face LOL and Google Easy Money Kit. See here and here for more information | No |
| SGTBox | ? | SGTBox.exe | Canon scanner driver. Is it required? | No |
| sgtray | U | sgtray.exe | StorageGuard 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 backups | No |
| Shadow | Y | Shadow.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 Edition | U | ShadowUser.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 longer available - see here | No |
| shambl3r* | X | shambl3r.exe | Added by the REMABL WORM! where * is 2 to 11 | No |
| SHAProc | X | SHAProc.exe | Added by the WINKO.AO WORM! | No |
| Shareaza | N | Shareaza.exe | Shareaza P2P client | No |
| sharedprem | X | sharedprem.exe | Added by the MAKECALL TROJAN! | No |
| SharpTray | U | SharpTray.exe | Part 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 |
| shdef | X | shdef.exe | Added by the VB-DVS TROJAN! | No |
| SheduIer | X | svchst.exe | Premium rate adult content dialler | No |
| SheduIer | X | shch.exe | Added by the BDOOR-EB BACKDOOR! | No |
| Shell | X | Shell32.exe | Added by the BADSECTOR TROJAN! | No |
| Shell | X | svchost.exe | Added 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 |
| Shell | X | smsc.exe | Added by the BANCBAN-OY TROJAN! | No |
| Shell API32 | X | svcnet.exe | Added by the TIBICK.C WORM! | No |
| Shell Extension | X | spollsv.exe | Added by the LOVGATE.Z WORM! | No |
| Shell Tray Window | X | ShellTraywnd.exe | Added by the STULTDOR-A TROJAN! | No |
| shell update | X | shellexec.exe | Added by the RBOT-ANC WORM! | No |
| Shell.exe | X | Shell.exe | Added by the EMERLEOX.S WORM! | No |
| Shell32 | X | Shell32.vbs | Added by the SCAFENE WORM! | No |
| ShellApi | X | SHELLMSN.EXE | Added by the NETDEV.B BACKDOOR! | No |
| Shellapi32 | X | Shellapi32.exe | Added by the NETDEVIL (or NERTE) TROJAN! | No |
| shellbn | X | shlext32.exe | Malware installed by different rogue security software including SpyKillerPro and the XP AntiVirus series | No |
| Shelldaemon | X | Shelldaemon.exe | Added by a variant of the AGENT.ALN TROJAN! | No |
| ShellEx | X | ShellEx.exe | Added by the ANAKHA TROJAN! | No |
| Shellspl | X | spools.exe | Added by the PROXAGE-A TROJAN! | No |
| shellsystem | X | shellsystem.exe | Added by the UPCHAN TROJAN! | No |
| shhost | X | shhost.exe | Added by the AGENT.CE BACKDOOR! | No |
| shicoxp | N | shicoxp.exe | Installed with the drivers for multi card readers of various brands. To differentiate between the various card slots on multi slot readers the shicoxp.exe file assigns and loads unique drive icons for the various card slots that are displayed in Windows Explorer | No |
| Shield Security | X | shield.exe | Added by the RIZO.A TROJAN! | No |
| Shield32 Security | X | shield32.exe | Added by the RIZO.A TROJAN! | No |
| ShieldSafeness | X | ShieldSafeness.exe | ShieldSafeness rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here. A member of the WiniGuard family | No |
| Shine | X | Shine.exe | Added by the HAPPYLOW (or NISHE-A) VIRUS! | No |
Notes & Warnings
Variables:
DISCLAIMER: It is assumed that users are familiar with the operating system they are using and comfortable with making the suggested changes. We will not be held responsible if changes you make cause a system failure.
WARNING: 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 entries listed in this database where specific removal instructions haven't been given. If this is the case then you could try ComboFix, a program written by sUBs that can remove many different types of Trojans and Worms. See here for a tutorial on how to use the program
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.
SERVICES: "Services" from the NT/2K/XP/Vista/7 operating systems are not included. I fully understand that some programs with these OS's use "Services" as an alternative to load their component parts at startup but these are handled in a different way. We recommend you try BlackViper for information on services for the relevant operating systems.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you're looking for a startup manager then why not 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.
As there are more than 10,000 entries in this database related to viruses, trojans, worms and other malware we recommend you use a quality internet security package. Which ever you choose, keep it updated.
Copyright
Presentation, format & comments Copyright © 2001 - 2011 Pacman's Portal
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