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:
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] [1750-1799] [1800-1849] [1850-1899] [1900-1949] [1950-1965] | ||||
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | MSPF.EXE | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! This file is located in the Winnt or Windows folder. Note - has a blank entry under the Startup Item/Name field | No | |
| (Default) | X | media_driver.exe | Added by the TUPEG VIRUS! 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 |
| (Default) | X | Mcafee.exe | Added by the AGENT.AY TROJAN! Note - this is not a valid McAfee program and is located in %System%. This malware actually changes the value data of the "(Default)" key in HKCU\Run in order to force Windows to launch it at boot. The name field in MSConfig may be blank | No |
| (Default) | X | msarti.com | Added by the SILLYFDC.CJ WORM! Note - this malware actually changes the value data of the "(Default)" key in HKLM\..\Policies\Explorer\Run in order to force Windows to launch it at boot. The name field in MSConfig may be blank | No |
| *Bandook | X | msdll.exe | Added by an unidentified TROJAN - see here | No |
| .msfupdate | X | msveup.exe | Added by the ALLOCUP.A WORM! | No |
| .mssecure | X | mssecure.exe | Added by the DDOS_BOXED.X TROJAN! | No |
| .NET. | X | msnmgnr.exe | Added by the DELF.AYF WORM! | No |
| 1 | X | mrcmgr.exe | Added by the BANKER.RQK TROJAN! | No |
| 1A:Stardock MCP | Y | mcpserver.exe | Master Control Program for Stardock apps, in development. People should leave it running if they're using any of the Stardock applications | No |
| 2020Downloader | X | mssvr.exe | 2020Search Toolbar | No |
| 27 | X | msm32.exe | Added by the SLSORVE-E TROJAN! | No |
| 2Search | X | main.exe | 2Search adware | No |
| 5-1-61-96 | X | members-area.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| 5-megawati | X | megawati.exe | Added by the BRONTOK-CR WORM! | No |
| 802.11g Wireless Adatper | U | Monitor.exe | Related to wireless card (802.11) adapter/standard. System Tray icon that provides a shortcut to "Wireless Connection Status" and allows to turn WL on and off. Supplier unknown. Adapter is miss-spelled | No |
| a | X | MsSvrdll.vbs | Added by the MUTAFROG!INF WORM! | No |
| absr | X | mwsvm.exe | SeekSeek search hijacker related - see here | No |
| abtu | X | mp3serch.exe | Loads the executable for Lop.com - final version | No |
| Activboard | U | MMKeybd.exe | Packard Bell ActiveBoard keyboard - multimedia keyboard manager. Required if you use the additional keys and want to see the status of the Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock keys | No |
| ActiveShield | Y | MCVSSHLD.EXE | McAfee VirusScan On-line. See also the McAgentExe entry | No |
| ActiveX Streamer | X | msgfix.exe | Added by the SDBOT.NQ WORM! | No |
| AdobeReader | X | msni.exe | Added by the RBOT.DAO TROJAN! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | msnxpsp.exe | Added by the RBOT-ASK or RBOT-AUS WORMS! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | msnserve.exe | Added by the SDBOT-AKH WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | msnservex.exe | Added by the RBOT.AKM BACKDOOR! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | msnsrcdv.exe | Added by the INJECT-H WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderProfessional | X | msx64.exe | Added by the RBOT-GAT WORM! | No |
| ADSL Diagnostic Tools | N | mapiicon.exe | System tray access to ADSL modem diagnostic tools. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Advanced Uninstaller PRO Installation Monitor | U | monitor.exe | Innovative Solutions Advanced Uninstaller PRO - "easy-to-use suite for uninstalling applications and keeping your computer fast, clean, and in its best shape" | No |
| Alcmtr | X | Malware Doctor.exe | MalwareDoc rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| ALLTEL DSL Check-up Center | U | matcli.exe | "matcli.exe is a motive Assistant Command line interface that gathers information about your system's identity like your name email address, city, county, etc and gets written to a log file". ALLTEL DSL Check-up Center is required to run with the Help and Support program. If you uncheck ALLTEL DSL Check-up Center and then run Help and Support it will add another ALLTEL DSL Check-up Center in the startup menu. If you remove this software in "add/remove programs" some help menus in help and support will not be available. You decide | No |
| Alps Electric USB Server | Y | Monserv.exe | Alps Electric USB Server - required according to this article | No |
| AModemLockDown | U | ModemLockDown.exe | ModemLockDown - allows you to supervise internet access by disabling the modem, protects againt dialers accessing dial-up connections, etc | No |
| angeleyes | X | msdll.exe | Added by the VB.PI TROJAN! | No |
| Antivirus | X | maja.exe | Added by the NETSKY.H WORM! | No |
| ANTIVIRUS | X | microAV.exe | Micro Antivirus 2009 rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| Antivirus | X | MSA.exe | MS Antivirus rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AOL Broadband Check-Up | U | matcli.exe | "matcli.exe is a motive Assistant Command line interface that gathers information about your system's identity like your name email address, city, county, etc and gets written to a log file". The AOL Self Support Tool is required to run with the Help and Support program. If you uncheck AOL and and then run Help and Support it will add another AOL entry in the startup menu. If you remove this software in "add/remove programs" some help menus in help and support will not be available. You decide | No |
| AOL Instant Messenger dll runtime | X | MSAOL32dll.exe | Added by the RBOT-ATA WORM! | No |
| APC_SERVICE | U | mainserv.exe | APC PowerChute® Personal Edition - "safe system shutdown software with sophisticated power management functions." Appears as a service in XP/Vista and under the "RunServices" registry key in Win98 | No |
| APIMon | X | msreg.exe | Added by the DROPPER.Z TROJAN! | No |
| Application | Y | mdmsetsp.exe | Aztech Labs modem driver | No |
| ASDPLUGIN | X | mexico.exe | AsdPlug premium rate adult content dialer | No |
| ashampoo Magical UnInstall | N | MagicalUnInstall.exe | Ashampoo® Magical UnInstall from Ashampoo GmbH & Co. KG - which monitors each new program installation, saving a log of the current configuration and using this as a reference to completely uninstall it if you chose to do so at a later date | Yes |
| asnconsole | X | msasn.exe | Added by the RBOT.EVU TROJAN! | No |
| AT&T Self Support Tool | U | matcli.exe | AT&T Resolution Assistant. "matcli.exe is a motive Assistant Command line interface that gathers information about your system\'s identity like your name email address, city, state, etc and gets written to a log file". Resolution Assistant is required to run with the Help and Support program. If you uncheck Resolution Assistant and and then run Help and Support it will add another Resolution Assistant in the startup menu. If you remove the Resolution Assistant in the add/remove program some help menus in help and support will not be available. You decide | No |
| ATI AS Filter | X | msnse.exe | Added by the RBOT-CCY WORM! Note - modifies the HOSTS file by appending numerous lines, preventing access to the virus cleaning websites | No |
| ATIMACE | U | MACE.exe | ATI Technologies Control Centre - installed alongside ATI graphics hardware and provides additional configuration options for these devices in the Managed Access to Catalyst™ Environment (MACE) component | No |
| atiupdate | X | msshed32.exe | Added by the DELF.EP downloader TROJAN! | 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] [1750-1799] [1800-1849] [1850-1899] [1900-1949] [1950-1965] | ||||
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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