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:

- show all
Name or Startup ItemStatusCommand or DataDescriptionTested?
Windows Local ServicesXsvcrun.exeAdded by the DLOADER-NY TROJAN!No
Windows Logon ApplicationXservices.exeAdded by the CIADOOR-L TROJAN! 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
Windows Logon ProcedureXSvchoste.exeAdded by a variant of the SPYBOT WORM!No
Windows Logon ProcedureXSvchosta.exeAdded by a variant of the SPYBOT WORM!No
Windows Media CenterXsmss.exeAdded by the WARBOT 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 %Windir%No
Windows media serviceXSygate32.exeAdded by the RBOT.ADE WORM!No
Windows Messanger Control CenterXsvchosl.exeAdded by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See hereNo
Windows Messanger Control CenterXsvhost.exeAdded by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See hereNo
Windows MS Update 32Xsucker.exeAdded by the FORBOT-GJ WORM!No
Windows MSN2 XPXswchost.exeAdded by the KOLAB.AA WORM!No
Windows Net CfgXservice.exeAdded by a variant of the RBOT WORM!No
Windows Nivedia DriverXsysMGT.exeAdded by a variant of the RBOT WORM!No
Windows NT Service NameXsvchcst.exeAdded by the RBOT-NV WORM!No
Windows NT Session ManagerXsess.exeAdded by a variant of the RBOT WORM!No
Windows Print Spooler?SCVHOSTS.EXESuspicious due to the similarity to the valid "svchost.exe" fileNo
Windows Print SpoolerXSVEHOST.EXEAdded by the SPYBOT.H WORM!No
Windows Reg ServicesXssservice.exeAdded by the PRORAT-D TROJAN!No
Windows Register SettingsXsvmhost.exeAdded by a variant of the FORBOT WORM!No
Windows Registery CenterXsvhchosts.exeAdded by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See hereNo
Windows Registry ScanXsvcdll.exeAdded by the RBOT-TP WORM!No
Windows reportXswchost.exeAdded by the SMALL-BD TROJAN!No
windows runXsystem.exeAdded by the ICPASS-A WORM!No
Windows Scheduler!Xscheduler.exeAdded by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See hereNo
Windows ScreensaverXService.exeAdded by the KELVIR.P WORM!No
WINDOWS SCREENSAVERXssaver.scrAdded by the SDBOT-YZ WORM!No
Windows secureXsetver32.exeAdded by the SPYBOT.EP WORM!No
Windows Secure ServicesXssms.exeAdded by the RBOT-GAR WORM!No
Windows Security Center Notification ApplsXsxe.exeAdded by the RBOT-GKX WORM!No
Windows Security Center Notification ApplseXsxes.exeAdded by the RBOT-GLR WORM!No
Windows Security Center Notification ApplseeXsysecurex.exeAdded by a variant of the RBOT-GKX WORM!No
Windows Security ManagerXsvchost.exeAdded by the ANTINNY.AX 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 a "Microsoft" subfolderNo
Windows Security ManagerXsvhost.exeAdded by the GAOBOT.ALU WORM!No
Windows Security SurvyXsvchosl.exeAdded by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See hereNo
Windows Security UpdateXsecurity32.exeAffilred adwareNo
Windows Server DriversXsyssrv.exeAdded by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! See hereNo
Windows Server InformationXservinfo.exeAdded by the FORBOT-EN WORM!No
Windows ServiceXsvvhost.exeAdded by the AGOBOT-HL WORM!No
Windows ServiceXservices.exeAdded by the KALEL-A WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup!No
Windows ServiceXservice.exeAdded by the IRCBOT-ACV WORM!No
Windows ServiceXsvchost.exeAdded by the SPYBOT-AW TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate svchost.exe process which should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup!No
Windows Service AgentXspoolvs.exeAdded by the RBOT-GXI WORM!No
Windows Service AgentXspools.exeAdded by the AGENT-GJF TROJAN!No
Windows Service AgentXsjbsm.exeAdded by the SMALLTRO.II TROJAN!No
Windows Service AgentXsjbsmgm.exeAdded by the IRCBOT.AHX WORM!No
Windows Service ControllerXservices.exeAdded by the KALEL-B WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup!No
Windows Service ExecXServiceLayer.exeAdded by the SPYBOT-OI WORM! Note - do not confuse this with the Nokia service of the same name which resides in %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\PCSuite\Services or %Program Files%\PC Connectivity Solution. This one is located in %Windir%No
Windows Service HostXscvhost.exeAdded by the SDBOT.N TROJAN!No
Windows Service HostXsvchost.exeAdded by the CONE.B 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
Windows Service HostXsvchost.exeAdded by the KALEL-C WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate svchost.exe process which should NOT appear in Msconfig/Startup!No
Windows Service HostXschost.exeAdded by the GAOBOT.AO WORM!No

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.

Fight spyware with SpybotSD

Sponsored links: Leased Line Polycom Soundstation 2 UK VPN SDSL

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:-