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:
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SVCHOST | X | var.txt.exe | Added by the LDPINCH.C TROJAN! | No |
| SvcHosto | X | v1rg1n.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-TK WORM! | No |
| Sygate Personal Port Blocker | X | volume.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| SYSTEM | X | VSSMON.exe | Added by the RBOT-AWW TROJAN! | No |
| System Security Updaters | X | vsmons.exe | Added by the RBOT-OW WORM! | No |
| System Startup | X | Voltio.exe | Added by the RBOT.NJ WORM! | No |
| System4224411 | X | Virus | Added by the CAGER.A WORM! | No |
| SystemFTP | X | VSENMB.exe | Malware (ie, malicious software). Also changes the system.ini Shell line to read Shell=Explorer.exe VSENMB.exe, and it hacks the Winstart.bat as well | No |
| SystemTra | X | Video.EXE | Added by the LOVGATE.E WORM! | No |
| syswin | X | v6.exe | Added by the AGENT-ECM TROJAN! | No |
| TOSHIBA Volume Indicator | U | VolControl.exe | On-screen volume indicator for Toshiba notebooks | No |
| ToUcamVProperty | Y | VProperty.exe | Philips Web Camera model name pcvc740k, ToUcam driver configuration tray icon | No |
| TrueVector | Y | VSMON.EXE | Even if you don't have ZoneAlarm or ZoneAlarm Pro run at start-up you do need this | No |
| UMAX VistaAccess | N | vsaccess.exe | VistaAccess gives you quick and easy access to scanning functions right from your desktop | No |
| V0220Mon.exe | U | V0220Mon.exe | Creative Live! Cam Console Auto Launcher | No |
| V0230Mon.exe | U | V0230Mon.exe | Creative Live! Cam Console Auto Launcher | No |
| V0250Mon.exe | Y | V0250Mon.exe | Part of Creative Webcam Launcher | No |
| V66SHELL | ? | V66SHELL.EXE | It looks to be part of the display driver set for ASUS V3800, V6600 and V6800 display adapters. Probably a system tray quick access control? | No |
| va10key | U | va10key.exe | Only required if you use the 10 kay bay unit with a Sony Vaio laptop | No |
| VaccineTreeMain | X | VaccineTree.exe | VaccineTree rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| VaCtrls | X | v7 | Downloader, detected as a variant of the ALPHABET TROJAN! | No |
| Vade Retro Outlook Express | Y | Vaderetro_oe.exe | Vade Retro anti-spam software for Outlook Express from GOTO software products | No |
| VAGCtrl | Y | VAGCTRL.EXE | Vexira Antivirus - virus scanner from Central Command | No |
| Vagiconline | X | vadaSq.exe | Added by the SDBOT-TD WORM! | No |
| VAGuard | Y | VAGNT.exe | Vexira Antivirus - virus scanner from Central Command | No |
| VAIO Action Setup (Server) | U | VAServ.exe | Sony Vaio utility that auto-launches selected applications when you plug in a digital video camera, digital still camera, etc. via iLink (FireWire) or USB | No |
| VAIO Update 2 | U | VAIOUpdt.exe | Related to Sony Vaio Update service | No |
| vb6 | X | vb6.exe | Added by the MUGLY.D WORM! | No |
| VBouncer | X | VirtualBouncer.exe | Virtual Bouncer - malware from Spyware Labs. It is distributed by the same bundling and drive-by download techniques as the parasites it claims to remove, so definitely qualifies as unsolicited commercial software in itself. It also has an update feature that can download and execute arbitrary code. Warning - choose "custom" uninstall as "automatic" may remove other programs - see here | No |
| VbouncerDL | X | VbouncerInner****.exe [* = random char] | Virtual Bouncer - malware from Spyware Labs. It is distributed by the same bundling and drive-by download techniques as the parasites it claims to remove, so definitely qualifies as unsolicited commercial software in itself. It also has an update feature that can download and execute arbitrary code. Warning - choose "custom" uninstall as "automatic" may remove other programs - see here | No |
| VbouncerDL | X | VBouncerInner.exe | Virtual Bouncer - malware from Spyware Labs. It is distributed by the same bundling and drive-by download techniques as the parasites it claims to remove, so definitely qualifies as unsolicited commercial software in itself. It also has an update feature that can download and execute arbitrary code. Warning - choose "custom" uninstall as "automatic" may remove other programs - see here | No |
| VC5Play | N | VC5Play.exe | Virtual CD drive emulator - version 5. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| VC6play | N | VC6Play.exe | Virtual CD drive emulator - version 6. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| VC7Play | N | VC7Play.exe | Virtual CD drive emulator - version 7. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| VC7Player | N | VC7Play.exe | Virtual CD drive emulator - version 7. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| VC9Player | U | VC9Play.exe | Virtual CD from H H Software GmbH. "With Virtual CD, all your favorite CDs and DVDs are immediately accessible without constantly inserting and ejecting media" | No |
| VCatch | X | Vcatch.exe | CommonSearch Vcatch - "antivirus" software which actually bundles spy/adware itself! | No |
| VCatch Premium | X | VCatchpre.exe | VCatch antivirus. Considered spyware itself - see here | No |
| VCDPlayer | N | VCDPlayer.exe | Virtual CD drive emulator. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| vcdplayx | N | vcdplayx.exe | CD emulation part of GameDrive & VirtualDrive from Farstone. Not required as starting these programs load this automatically | No |
| VCDTower | U | VCDTower.exe | Goldensoft CD Ghost related - turns a computer into a 200X-speed CD-ROM tower. Working from the hard drive, users can simultaneously access as many as 23 virtual CD-ROM drives at a speed of 200X for true multitasking | No |
| VCDWATCH | ? | VCDWATCH.EXE | Confirmed as Voyetra CD Watcher as it was found in a Compaq/Voyetra/AS2 directory but what does it do? | No |
| VCMnet11 | X | VCMnet11.exe | Windows AFA Internet Enhancement - a browser hijacker, redirecting to adsourcecorp.com. See here | No |
| VCS Host | X | vcshost.exe | Added by the RBOT-FKT WORM! | No |
| VCSPlayer | N | vcsplay.exe | Virtual CD drive emulator. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Vdoctor | X | vdoctors.exe | VDoctor rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| vdtask | N | vdtask.exe | Program part of GameDrive & VirtualDrive virtual CD/DVD drive emulators from Farstone. Not required as starting these programs load this automatically | No |
| veja_fotos.exe | X | veja_fotos.exe | Added by the MDROP-F TROJAN! | No |
| VentaDrv | U | vfdrv32.exe | Related to VentaFax Voice - send and receive black-and-white or color faxes, and turns your PC's fax modem into a versatile answering machine | No |
| Venturi Configurator | U | ventcfg.exe | Venturi Wireless mobile broadband configuration utility | 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.
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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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