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 :- 29th October, 2009
19979 items listed
"Status" key:
- "Y" - Normally leave to run at start-up
- "N" - Not required or not recommended - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary
- "U" - User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary
- "X" - Definitely not required - typically viruses, spyware, adware and "resource hogs"
- "?" - Unknown
Variables:
- %System% - refers to the System folder; by default this is C:\Windows\System (9x/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (NT/2K), or C:\Windows\System32 (XP/Vista)
- %Windir% - refers to the Windows installation folder; by default this is C:\Windows (9x/Me/XP/Vista) or C:\Winnt (NT/2K)
- %UserProfile% - refers to the current user's profile folder; by default this is C:\Documents and Settings\ (NT/2K/XP) or C:\Users\ (Vista)
- %ProgramFiles% - refers to the Program Files folder; typically the path is C:\Program Files
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| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|
| FestPlattenCleaner | X | SysRep.exe | FestPlattenCleaner, German rogue system error and cleaning utility - not recommended. A member of the ErrClean family | No |
| FestplattenReiniger | X | GDC.exe | FestplattenReiniger, German rogue privacy tool - not recommended. A member of the PCPrivacyTool family | No |
| ff | X | [path to worm] | Added by the RBOT-XL WORM! | No |
| ffeqfqs | X | dqddss.exe | Added by the SDBOT-SG WORM! | No |
| ffis | X | ffisearch.exe | iSearch adware | No |
| ffprsrv | Y | ffprsrv.exe | File and Folder Privacy - is a "system security utility you can use to password-protect or hide your files and folders with a click of mouse. The program will always prompt to enter your access password when protection is enabled and a user is trying to access a protected file or folder". If this entry is disabled, any files/folders that are protected/hidden will no longer be accessible without first accessing the main program | Yes |
| ffprsrv.exe | Y | ffprsrv.exe | File and Folder Privacy - is a "system security utility you can use to password-protect or hide your files and folders with a click of mouse. The program will always prompt to enter your access password when protection is enabled and a user is trying to access a protected file or folder". If this entry is disabled, any files/folders that are protected/hidden will no longer be accessible without first accessing the main program | Yes |
| ffpsrv | Y | ffpsrv.exe | File & Folder Protector - "great easy-to-use password-protected security utility lets you password-protect certain files and folders, or to hide them securely from viewing and searching just with a click of mouse". If this entry is disabled, any files/folders that are protected/hidden will no longer be accessible without first accessing the main program | Yes |
| ffpsrv.exe | Y | ffpsrv.exe | File & Folder Protector - "great easy-to-use password-protected security utility lets you password-protect certain files and folders, or to hide them securely from viewing and searching just with a click of mouse". If this entry is disabled, any files/folders that are protected/hidden will no longer be accessible without first accessing the main program | Yes |
| FG1_00 | U | frntgate.exe | FrontGate MX - e-mail spam blocker | No |
| fgl23DoubleScreenHooks | ? | f23happ.exe | Related to the now discontinued ATI Fire GL3 graphics card. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| fGQEGqHOME | X | gwwgtp.exe | Added by the RANKY.J TROJAN! | No |
| FHPage | X | shdochp.exe | Added by the WINHOUND TROJAN! | No |
| FHStart | X | shdocsvc.exe | Added by the WINHOUND TROJAN! | No |
| Fhtisxk | U | fhtisxk.exe | XtraKeys keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself!
| No |
| Fhzepgyi | X | HELLRAIDER.EXE | Added by the MINDCTRL.A BACKDOOR! | No |
| FieldForms Sync | U | SyncService.exe | Resco FieldForms. A solution for building of mobile forms that can be viewed or filled in on the run, on a wide range of mobile devices. Supports Microsoft Access databases, and provides for synchronization of other data as well | No |
| FiendlyType | X | csrss.exe | Added by the WEBUS TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| FILE | X | abcdefg.exe | Added by the KELVIR.DD WORM! | No |
| file indexing service | ? | msfindfile.exe | New version of MS FindFast and still a resource hog? | No |
| file laoder configuration | X | rnd32.exe | Added by the RBOT.BQJ WORM! | No |
| File Mapping Services | X | hp-1003.exe | Added by the RBOT.FAN WORM! | No |
| File Protection Monitor | X | filemon.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| File System | X | taskmqrs.exe | Added by a variant of the TOXBOT/CODBOT WORM! | No |
| File System | X | taskmqr.exe | Added by the RBOT.BWQ WORM! | No |
| File System Service | X | wmiprvsc.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-HZ TROJAN! | No |
| File-Sharing Wizard | X | shwizard.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here | No |
| File0_0 | X | MD1.exe | Added by the DLOADER-OR TROJAN! | No |
| File1 | X | Dia Claro.htm | Added by the DLOADER-OR TROJAN! | No |
| FileFreedom_Plugin | X | wtm.exe | FileFreedom peer-to-peer sharing program | No |
| filehippo.com | N | UpdateChecker.exe | Checks for new releases available in the popular FileHippo.com repository for any software you may already have installed on your computer. Run manually when required | No |
| FileManager32 | X | Wscript.exe ChkMgr32.vbs | Added by the NOTUP.A WORM! Note that wscript.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch script files and shouldn't be deleted. The "ChkMgr32.vbs" file is located in %System% | No |
| filename | X | filename.exe | Added by the VB.FSY TROJAN! | No |
| filename process | X | kerneldll.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-PO WORM! | No |
| filename process | X | explore.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-QN WORM! | No |
| filename process | X | Rundil16.exe | Added by the GAOBOT.ZX WORM! | No |
| FileSoft | X | Wscript.exe UpdataFiles.vbs | Added by the SST.B WORM! Note that wscript.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch script files and shouldn't be deleted. The "UpdataFiles.vbs" file is located in %Windir% | No |
| FilmLoop | U | FilmLoopService.exe | Related to FilmLoop - a photocasting network. Share your pictures with your family and friends | No |
| FilterGate | U | filtergate.exe | Filtergate internet filtering software - filters sounds, popup ads, background sound and other unnecessary website items | No |
| Filterguard | U | Filtrgrd.exe | An icon located in the lower left of the screen and looks like a lifesaver. This icon is a "short-cut" to access the basic features of SOS-Guardian, SOS-KidProof Lite, SOS Best Defense and SOS Pro such as Internet filtering utility. You can access this menu by "right-clicking" on the icon | No |
| FilterProgram | X | GDC.exe | FilterProgram rogue privacy tool - not recommended. A member of the PCPrivacyTool family | No |
| Find | X | find.exe | Added by the OPANKI WORM! | No |
| Find Fast | N | Findfast.exe | Resource hog from older versions of MS Office - searches disk drives for Office file types and creates an index to make opening them easier | No |
| Find Virus Launch Program | Y | fvlaunch.exe | Part of Dr. Solomon's Antivirus | No |
| findfast | X | findfast.exe | Added by the DLOADER.PFR TROJAN! Note - the is not the legitimate file of the same name installed with older versions of MS Office | No |
| findfast.exe | X | findfast.exe | Identified as the RUNDIS.A TROJAN! Note - the is not the legitimate file of the same name installed with older versions of MS Office | No |
| FindHack | X | [path to worm] | Added by the KELVIR-BA WORM! | No |
| FinePrint Dispatcher v4 | U | fpdisp4a.exe | FinePrint Dispatcher - handles the spooling of print jobs to the FinePrint printer. Version 4.x of the software. "FinePrint saves ink, paper, time and money by controlling and enhancing printed output" | No |
| FinePrint Dispatcher v4 | U | fpdisp4.exe | FinePrint Dispatcher - handles the spooling of print jobs to the FinePrint printer. Version 4.x of the software. "FinePrint saves ink, paper, time and money by controlling and enhancing printed output" | No |
| FinePrint Dispatcher v5 | U | fpdisp5a.exe | FinePrint Dispatcher - handles the spooling of print jobs to the FinePrint printer. Version 5.x of the software. "FinePrint saves ink, paper, time and money by controlling and enhancing printed output" | No |
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You can download off-line HTML ZIP, EXE and EXCEL ZIP versions of this list from here.
In addition the following files are available for people developing mirrors of the site and using the information presented here (right-click and select "Save Target As..." for IE and "Save Link As..." for Firefox):
Startup XML File - Startup INI File - Startup HTML File
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.
Free licenses available for Oops! Backup (by Altaro) BETA Testing - Apply online here
Presentation, format & comments Copyright © 2001 - 2009 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