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 :- 29th October, 2009
19979 items listed
"Status" key:
Variables:
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Default) | X | KEYBOARD.exe | Added by the AUTORUN.BUK WORM! Note - this malware actually changes the value data of the "(Default)" key in HKLM\Run in order to force Windows to launch it at boot. The name field in MSConfig may be blank | No |
| 1 | X | KHATRA.exe | Added by the AUTOIT-BP WORM! | No |
| 1Win32Cfg | U | Keyloggerpro.exe | Keyloggerpro keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! | No |
| 4oD | U | KHost.exe | Verisign Kontiki Delivery Management System - Windows-based client software that enables secure delivery of content to users' desktops | No |
| ABC | U | keylogger.exe | Keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! | No |
| AidemHotKey | ? | KEYAPP.EXE | Keyboard related | No |
| AntiVirus | X | kaspery.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Autoupdate Service | X | kaka.exe | Added by the SYMPE-B TROJAN! | No |
| Bron-Spizaetus-5118REPM | X | komodo-6321422.exe | Added by the BRONTOK-R WORM! | No |
| BtcMaestro | U | KMaestro.exe | Multimedia keyboard manager. Required if you use the multimedia keys | No |
| cartao | X | killing.exe | Added by the DLOADER-QN TROJAN! | No |
| CherryKeyMan | U | KeyMan.exe | Multimedia keyboard manager for the Cherry keyboard series. Only required if you use any of the special keys | No |
| ChromeMark | ? | keysh.exe | Related to this. Don't know what keysh.exe does though and if it's required | No |
| cnet | N | kontiki.exe | Kontiki Delivery Manager - Windows-based client software that enables secure delivery of content to users' desktops | No |
| Connect Kasamba | U | Kasamba.exe | "Finding the expert help that you need is easy on Kasamba. With more than 30,000 registered experts in over 600 categories to choose from, chances are, we`ll have just the right professional in the exact area of expertise that you need" | No |
| cpqek | U | kcpqek.exe | For Compaq PC's. Easy Access button support for the keyboard | No |
| cvhnykzx | X | keepSafe.exe | Added by the KILLAV.KAX TROJAN! | No |
| deryheruxc | X | keepSafe.exe | Added by the KILLAV.KAX TROJAN! | No |
| Distributed File System | X | kernel32dll.exe | Added by the MYFIP-C or MYFIP.K WORMS! | No |
| Dlload | X | killer.exe | Added by the KILLAV-FK TROJAN! | No |
| dsfghjgj | X | keepSafe.exe | Added by the KILLAV.KAX TROJAN! | No |
| faslkakj11 | X | kjgagklj11.exe | Added by the LEGMIE-ARE TROJAN! | No |
| filename process | X | kerneldll.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-PO WORM! | No |
| FLMK08KB | U | KbdAp32A.exe | Keyboard utility for a Medion brand (and possibly others) keyboard. If you disable this entry you will not be able to use any of the keyboard hotkeys or other non-standard functions on the keyboard | No |
| FLMTRUSTKB | U | KbdAp32A.exe | Keyboard utility for a Trust brand keyboard. If you disable this entry you will not be able to use any of the keyboard hotkeys or other non-standard functions on the keyboard | No |
| GameSpot | N | kontiki.exe | Kontiki Delivery Manager - Windows-based client software that enables secure delivery of content to users' desktops | No |
| hfdtubvnx | X | keepSafe.exe | Added by the KILLAV.KAX TROJAN! | No |
| hgkytwe | X | keepSafe.exe | Added by the KILLAV.KAX TROJAN! | No |
| HomeKeyLogger | U | KeyLogger.exe | SpyKeySpy surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| ilortgdg | X | keepSafe.exe | Added by the KILLAV.KAX TROJAN! | No |
| InternalSystray | X | Kazza.exe | Added by a variant of the OPTIX TROJAN! Note - unlike the valid KaZaA executable, this is located in C:\Windows\System (Win9x/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (WinNT/2K), or C:\Windows\System32 (WinXP) | No |
| Java Update | X | keeper.exe | Added by the AGENT-DIS TROJAN! | No |
| K2ps_full.task | X | K2ps_full.exe | Added by the JUNTADOR.K TROJAN! | No |
| K6CPU.EXE | N | K6CPU.EXE | Authenticates CPU as K6 in system properties | No |
| KADxMain | U | KADxMain.exe | System Tray access to IntelliSonic Speech Enhancement - by Knowles Acoustics. Designed to render speech from a user selectable direction, while canceling interfering speech from other directions, thus minimizing the effects of environmental noise and eliminating acoustic echo feedback. Found on some Dell and Fujitsu Seimens laptops | No |
| kak | X | kak.hta | Added by the KAKWORM WORM! | No |
| Kalender | U | Kalender.exe | UK's Kalender "helps you organizing your dates and tasks and reminds you of upcoming events" | No |
| Kalibump | U | Kalibump.exe | Used with the now unsupported Kali software for on-line gaming. This is used to automatically bump up the priority of WinProxy to GREATLY improve game speed when using a SOCKS proxy | No |
| kalvsys | X | kalv****.exe [* = random char] | EliteBar adware | No |
| kalvsys | X | kalv***32.exe [* = random char] | EliteBar adware | No |
| Kasper Antivirus | X | KASPERANTIVIRUS.EXE | Added by a variant of the SPYBOT WORM! | No |
| Kaspersky Anti-Hacker | Y | KAVPF.exe | Kaspersky Anti-Hacker firewall | No |
| Kaspersky Antivirus | X | KasperskyAV.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| kaspersky32 | X | kasperskyLabs32.exe | Added by the RBOT-GOT WORM! | No |
| KasperskyAv | X | kaspersky.exe | Added by the MIMAIL.T WORM! Note - this has nothing to do with the real Kaspersky anti-virus | No |
| KasperskyAVEng | X | Kasperskyaveng.exe | Added by the NETSKY.V WORM! | No |
| KAT | X | KAT.vbs | Added by the SOAD-D WORM! | No |
| KatMouse | U | KatMouse.exe | KatMouse - utility to enhance the functionality of mice with a scroll wheel, offering 'universal' scrolling, etc | No |
| kava | X | kavo.exe | Added by the LINEAG-GLG TROJAN! | No |
| kavir | X | kavir.exe | Added by a variant of the Storm/Nuwar/Zhelatin WORM! See here for an example | No |
Download Alternative Formats
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
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.
Free licenses available for Oops! Backup (by Altaro) BETA Testing - Apply online here
Copyright
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
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