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] [1750-1762] | ||||
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mickey Mouse Cereal | X | [random filename].exe | Added by the RANKY.Q TROJAN! | No |
| Micro Office | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the BANCBAN-QC TROJAN! | No |
| MicroLoad | X | [random filename] | Added by the DARBY WORM! | No |
| MICROSFT ANTIVIRUS UPDATE SUPPORT | X | [random 10-letter filename].EXE | Added by the RBOT-AQA WORM! | No |
| MICROSFT RAMA UPDATE SUPPORT | X | [random filename] | Added by the RBOT-ASM or RBOT-AUW WORMS! | No |
| Microsft Upgraed | X | [random filename].exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsft Windows Adapter 5.1.3013 | X | [random filename] | Added by the SMALL.HIT TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft (C) HTML Application host | X | [random filename] | Added by the RBOT-YB WORM! | No |
| Microsoft (R) Windows Network Latency Controller | X | 1.tmp | Added by a generic password stealer TROJAN - see here | No |
| Microsoft (R) Windows Protocol Deployment Manager | X | [random].tmp | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft (R) Windows TCP/IP Socket Driver | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the PROXY-DD TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft ActiveX Debugger NT | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the BANCOS-DO TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft ADservice | X | [random filename] | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Anti-Spy | X | [random filename] | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Core Support | X | [random filename] | Added by a variant of the RBOT TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Corporation | X | [random filename] | Added by various VIRUSES, WORMS & TROJANS! | No |
| Microsoft CTF Loader | U | ctfmon.exe | Supports multiple languages and alternative method inputs in Windows and MS Office. The language bar is displayed alongside the System Tray if more than one keyboard layout is enabled (for switching input languages) or, for example, if speech is selected as an alternative input for MS Office or Notepad. Required to support advanced text services (such as right to left text) for East Asian users. Can be disabled via Start → Control Panel → Regional and Language Options → Languages → Text Services and Input Languages → Details → Advanced → System Configuration → Turn off advanced text services (which also turns off the language bar). See also here and here. Can also cause problems with some other programs if left enabled - see here for such an example | Yes |
| Microsoft Default Manager | U | DefMgr.exe | Part of MSN Toolbar from version 4.* onwards (renamed "Bing Bar" from version 5.* onwards) which includes the Bing search engine. Via Start → All Programs → Microsoft Default Manager you can elect to keep Bing as the default search engine and set it to notify you of any changes to your browsers default settings. Not required if you choose not to use Bing | Yes |
| Microsoft Diagnostic | X | [random filename] | Added by the ACEBOT TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft DirktorWin | X | [random filename] | Added by the SPYBOT.GEN3 TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Find Fast | N | Findfast.exe | From older versions of MS Office - searches disk drives for Office file types and creates an index to make opening them easier. When indexing is in progress it can use lots of CPU time and memory - especially on slower/older machines | Yes |
| MicroSoft Getway Dire | X | [random filename] | Added by the IRCBRUTE.AM WORM! | No |
| MicroSoft Getway mqbol | X | [12 random letters].exe | Added by the RBOT.GBA WORM! | No |
| Microsoft IIS | X | [filename] | Added by the FRANCETTE-S WORM! | No |
| Microsoft IME 2002 | U | IMJPMIG.EXE | Microsoft's Input Method Editor for the Japanese language which is used to both display and enable the input of characters in e-mails, documents, web forms and other files - should you need to. Found on PCs where East Asian languages have been installed through the Regional and Language options icon in the Control Panel | Yes |
| Microsoft IntelliPoint | U | ipoint.exe | Microsoft IntelliPoint utility (from version 5.5) - required to support the programmable buttons and additional features on Microsoft's range of mice, If this entry is disabled, any programmed buttons or program-specific settings will not be supported | Yes |
| Microsoft IntelliPoint | U | point32.exe | Microsoft IntelliPoint utility (up to version 5.4) - required to support the programmable buttons and additional features on Microsoft's range of mice, If this entry is disabled, any programmed buttons or program-specific settings will not be supported | Yes |
| Microsoft IntelliType Pro | U | itype.exe | Microsoft IntelliType Pro utility (from version 5.5) - required to support the multimedia keys, programmed keys and key macros on Microsoft's range of keyboards. If this entry is disabled, any programmed keys or actions will not be supported and keys will not function as expected in applications with advanced text services enabled | Yes |
| Microsoft IntelliType Pro | U | type32.exe | Microsoft IntelliType Pro utility (up to version 5.4) - required to support the multimedia keys, programmed keys and key macros on Microsoft's range of keyboards. If this entry is disabled, any programmed keys or actions will not be supported and keys will not function as expected in applications with advanced text services enabled | Yes |
| Microsoft Internet Acceleration Utility | X | [path to file] | Added by the AGENT-CX TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Internet Acceleration Utility | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the SMUTSRCH-A TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the BANCBAN-AS TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | X | _svchost.exe | Added by the TINY.LX TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft IT Update | X | [random filename] | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Java Windows Update | X | [filename] | Added by the RBOT-DZ WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Locals 332 | X | [random filename] | Added by the RBOT-KU WORM! | No |
| Microsoft LV | X | [path to file] | Added by the BDOOR-BDL BACKDOOR! | No |
| Microsoft Management Console | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the SMUTSRCH-A TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Media Center Tray Applet | 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 Office | N | osa.exe | On older versions of MS Office this launches common Office components to help speed up the launch of Office programs. On slower machines it can be a resource hog and some users claim there's no difference with or without it - but it usually isn't required. This must be left enabled if you use the Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar (MSOFFICE.EXE) and have set it to load at startup. Available via Start → All Programs | Yes |
| Microsoft Office | N | Msoffice.exe | Feature included with older versions of MS Office giving you access to common Office functions and optional shortcuts to Office (and other) programs. Some people prefer it but a better way is to create desktop shortcuts if you want access these features and programs quickly. Also available via Start → All Programs | Yes |
| Microsoft Office | N | Osa9.exe | On older versions of MS Office this launches common Office components to help speed up the launch of Office programs. On slower machines it can be a resource hog and some users claim there's no difference with or without it - but it usually isn't required. This must be left enabled if you use the Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar (MSOFFICE.EXE) and have set it to load at startup. Available via Start → All Programs | Yes |
| Microsoft Office OneNote 2003 Quick Launch | N | ONENOTEM.EXE | System Tray access to MS Office OneNote 2003 - an electronic notebook that allows you to create free-form notes, including text, graphics and audio/video. When running, ONENOTEM.EXE also enables the WINDOWS KEY+S key combination to insert screen grab into a note. Leave the icon enabled in OneNote but move the shortcut from Start → All Programs → Startup to the desktop or elsewhere on the Start menu and run when needed | Yes |
| Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar | N | Msoffice.exe | Feature included with older versions of MS Office giving you access to common Office functions and optional shortcuts to Office (and other) programs. Some people prefer it but a better way is to create desktop shortcuts if you want access these features and programs quickly. Also available via Start → All Programs | Yes |
| Microsoft PCHealth32 | X | [path to file] | Added by the NICE-A TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft People Near Me | 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 Redirect | X | [path to file] | Added by the BANKER-FW TROJAN! | No |
| Microsoft Security Essentials | Y | msseces.exe | System Tray access to a notifications from Microsoft Security Essentials which "provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software" | Yes |
| Microsoft Security GManagers | X | [random filename] | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| Microsoft Security Monitor Process | X | [random filename] | Added by variants of the RBOT WORM! See here | 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] [1750-1762] | ||||
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.
| 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