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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Security Panagers | X | [random filename] | Added by the RBOT-AIG WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Service Host Manager | X | 32svchost.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| microsoft software | X | ****.exe [* = random char] | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft standard protector | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the STOX-C TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Sticky Notes | N | stikynot.exe | Microsoft Sticky Notes - virtual sticky notes tool from Windows Vista. This implementation of the popular yellow "Post-It" tool is part of the Tablet PC features and allows you to enter either handwriting (via a pen or mouse) or record a voice note. AVailable via Start → All Programs | Yes |
| Microsoft Synchronization Manager | X | ___synmgr.exe | Added by the MASLAN.A or MASLAN.C WORMS! | No |
| Microsoft Synchronization Manager | U | mobsync.exe | Microsoft Synchronization Manager for 2K/XP - used to update network copies of materials that were edited offline, such as documents, calendars, and e-mail messages. Available via Start → All Programs → Synchronize, this entry appears if you select Setup → "When I log on to my computer" | Yes |
| Microsoft System Backup | X | [random filename] | Added by the RBOT-AGM WORM! | No |
| Microsoft System Configuration Utility | N | msconfig.exe | Entry that appears when you uncheck an item in the MSConfig Startup group and will disappear if on the next reboot you select the option to not be reminded that you are running in Selective Startup mode. Located in %System% (98/Me/Vista) or %Windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries (XP) | Yes |
| Microsoft System Saver | X | [path to worm] | Added by the RBOT.BSK WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Tray | X | [random filename] | Added by the DELF.BZ TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Update 32 | X | [path to file] | Added by the RBOT-AJJ WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Update Loader | X | [random filename] | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Update Machine | X | [worm filename] | Added by the RBOT-GWD WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Updater v2 | X | [path to worm] | Added by the AUTORUN-BCI WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Updates | X | [worm filename] | Added by the AGOBOT-AIZ WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Updote | X | [random filename] | Added by the RBOT-ARC WORM! | No |
| Microsoft UpToDate Driver (32-bits) | X | [random filename].exe | Added by the SPYBOT.LXJ WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Windows | X | [path to file] | Added by the BDOOR-LI BACKDOOR! | No |
| Microsoft Windows Adapter 5.1.3214 | X | [worm filename].exe | Added by the STRAT.GEN-3 WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Windows Desktop Search System Tray | N | WindowsSearch.exe | System Tray access to Windows Desktop Search for XP from Microsoft - which adds additional search options including a search box on the Taskbar. This version (3.0.1) also includes the Windows Search (WSearch) service which indexes files and e-mails items so you can quickly find words and phrases. Disabling this entry does not affect the normal operation and this is the Windows Defender entry | Yes |
| Microsoft Windows Desktop Search Tool Tray Admin | N | WindowsSearch.exe | System Tray access to Windows Desktop Search for XP from Microsoft - which adds additional search options including a search box on the Taskbar. For this version (2.6.*), this entry also runs the indexing function at startup which indexes files and e-mails items so you can quickly find words and phrases. Disabling this entry does not affect the normal operation and indexing will occur when you next perform a search. This is the Windows Defender entry | Yes |
| Microsoft Windows DHCP | X | ___r.exe | Added by the MASLAN.A or MASLAN.C WORMS! | No |
| Microsoft Windows Loader | X | [filename.exe] | Added by the RBOT-LU BACKDOOR! | No |
| Microsoft Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service Configuration Application | U | WMPNSCFG.exe | Network sharing tool for Windows Media Player 11 for XP & Vista. When using WMP 11 on home network you can choose to share your favorite music, videos, and pictures to others on the network. This entry is used to notify users when new media rendering devices are found on the network (including media players and other PCs running Windows Media Player 11) - see here for a more detailed explanation | Yes |
| Microsoft Windows Search System Tray | N | WindowsSearch.exe | System Tray access to Windows Search 4.0 for XP from Microsoft - which adds additional search options including a search box on the Taskbar. This version also includes the Windows Search (WSearch) service which indexes files and e-mails items so you can quickly find words and phrases. Disabling this entry does not affect the normal operation | Yes |
| Microsoft Windows Sidebar | U | Sidebar.exe | Windows Sidebar is a pane on the side of the Microsoft Windows Vista desktop where you can keep your gadgets organized and always available. In Windows 7 this feature is known as Desktop Gadgets and each gadget can be placed anywhere on the desktop. If the file isn't located in %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar or you're using other versions of Windows it could be part of the Searchcentrix hijacker | Yes |
| Microsoft Windows Updata | X | [5 random letters].exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Windows Update x86 | X | [various filenames] | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! Filenames seen include (but are not limited to firefox.exe, opera.exe, taskmrg.exe, aim.exe, Winxdiag.exe and usnesvc.exe | No |
| Microsoft Windows Update XP64 | X | ********.exe [* = random char] | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft WinSound | X | [random filename] | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft WPCEmail | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the SNIFFER-N TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft WWW | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the AGENT-DRI TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft® Windows® Operating System | U | Sidebar.exe | Windows Sidebar is a pane on the side of the Microsoft Windows Vista desktop where you can keep your gadgets organized and always available. In Windows 7 this feature is known as Desktop Gadgets and each gadget can be placed anywhere on the desktop. If the file isn't located in %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar or you're using other versions of Windows it could be part of the Searchcentrix hijacker | Yes |
| Microsoft® Windows® Operating System | U | ehTray.exe | Media Center Tray Applet - part of Windows Media Center on XP MCE, Vista and Windows 7 (where it doesn't run as a startup). Allows Windows Media Center to be started by pressing the green button on a remote control and also displays System Tray notifications, such as recording status (successful or non-successful), EPG download notification, etc | Yes |
| Microsoft® Windows® Operating System | N | RunDLL32.exe ehuihlp.dll,BootMediaCenter | Starts Windows Media Center every time Vista (Home Premium or Ultimate) or Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate) boots. Disable by unchecking the "Start Windows Media Center when Windows Starts" option via Windows Media Center → Tasks → Settings → General → Startup and Window Behaviour | Yes |
| Microsoft® Windows® Operating System | N | rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter | Shows the Welcome Center every time you boot into Windows Vista - which "pulls all the tasks you'll most likely want to complete when you set up your computer into a single location" | Yes |
| Microsoft® Windows® Operating System | N | p2phost.exe | Signs a user into the People Near Me feature at login in Windows 7 and Vista. People Near Me enables you to use certain peer-to-peer (P2P) programs on a network - that "identifies people nearby who are using computers and allows those people to send you invitations for programs such as Windows Meeting Space. They can only invite you to participate in programs that are installed on your computer." Available via Start → Control Panel | Yes |
| Microsoft® Windows® Operating System | N | stikynot.exe | Microsoft Sticky Notes - virtual sticky notes tool from Windows Vista. This implementation of the popular yellow "Post-It" tool is part of the Tablet PC features and allows you to enter either handwriting (via a pen or mouse) or record a voice note. AVailable via Start → All Programs | Yes |
| Microsoft® Windows® Operating System | U | WMPNSCFG.exe | Network sharing tool for Windows Media Player 11 for XP & Vista. When using WMP 11 on home network you can choose to share your favorite music, videos, and pictures to others on the network. This entry is used to notify users when new media rendering devices are found on the network (including media players and other PCs running Windows Media Player 11) - see here for a more detailed explanation | Yes |
| Microsoft® Windows® Operating System | N | browserchoice.exe | In the European Union, Microsoft had to provide the "Browser Choice update to comply with a legal settlement with the European Commission. Microsoft is required to inform customers who currently use Internet Explorer as their default browser that there are other web browser choices available. You can use the Browser Choice update to select and install the web browser you want to use on your computer" - see here for more information | Yes |
| Microsoft® Works 7.0 | N | wkcalrem.exe | If you schedule an event at any time in Microsoft Works Calendar and set a reminder then a shortcut will be added to Start → All Programs → Startup so this reminder service loads every time Windows starts | Yes |
| Microsoft® Works 8 | N | wkcalrem.exe | If you schedule an event at any time in Microsoft Works Calendar and set a reminder then a shortcut will be added to Start → All Programs → Startup so this reminder service loads every time Windows starts | Yes |
| Microsoft-software | X | ****.exe [* = random char] | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft.exe | X | [random].exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| Microsofts Security Manager | X | ****.exe [**** = random char] | Added by the RBOT-WH TROJAN! | No |
| MicrosoftUpdates | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the DELF-LO TROJAN! | No |
| MicrosoftWindows | X | [various filenames] | MagicSearch - a CoolWebSearch parasite variant | No |
| Microsot NT Support | X | [random filename].exe | Added by the RBOT-CTI WORM! | No |
| Mini-XP | U | Mini-XP.exe | Minimizer-XP from Totalidea Software - adds an additional button in the top right-corner of any application window to allow you to quickly minimize it to the System Tray. No longer available from the author but still available from download sites such as Download.com | Yes |
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