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] [1150-1170] | ||||
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | regedit.exe /s appboost.reg | Added by the APPIX.D WORM! Note - this malware actually changes the value data of the "(Default)" key in HKLM\Run and HKCU\RunServices in order to force Windows to launch it at boot. The name field in MSConfig may be blank. The Windows registry editor (regedit.exe) is a legitimate Microsoft file located in %Windir% and shouldn't be deleted. The file "appboost.reg" is located in %Windir% | No | |
| @ | X | RUNDLL.EXE | Added by the SPYBOT-DN WORM! Note - this is NOT the Win9x/Me system file of the same name as described here | No |
| (default) | X | rundll32.exe [path to DLL file],Do98Work | Added by the HESIVE.B TROJAN! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. Note - this malware actually changes the value data of the "(Default)" key in HKCU\Run, HKLM\Run and HKLM\RunServices in order to force Windows to launch it at boot. The name field in MSConfig may be blank | No |
| *Restore | Y | rstrui.exe | Part of Windows System Restore and added as a RunOnce registry entry. Leave alone | No |
| .Net Recovery | X | rundll32.exe dotnetfx.dll,repair | Added by the DELEZIUM VIRUS! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "winsys16_070813.dll" file is found in %System% | No |
| .norton | X | rchost.exe | Added by the BOXED-H TROJAN! | No |
| 65438761234587528 | X | rkgnd.exe | ANG AntiVirus 09 rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| 802.11g MIMO Wireless Utility | U | RaUI.exe | Wireless configuration utility for Railink 802.11g MIMO based products | No |
| 98D0CE0C16B1 | X | rundll32.exe D0CE0C16B1, D0CE0C16B1 | BrowserAid/BrowserPal foistware. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted | No |
| @ | X | regedit -s win.dll | Added by the SEEKER.K TROJAN! Note that regedit is the the legitimate Windows Registry Editor and shouldn't be deleted. The "win.dll" file is located in %Windir% | No |
| @loha | N | reminder.exe | Registration reminder for @loha@home E-mail utility | No |
| A70F6A1D-0195-42a2-934C-D8AC0F7C08EB | X | rundll32.exe E6F1873B.DLL, D9EBC318C | BrowserAid/BrowserPal foistware. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted | No |
| Abyssus | U | razerhid.exe | Razer Abyssus gaming mouse driver - required if you use the additional features and programmed keys/macros | No |
| Acer Tour Reminder | N | Reminder.exe | Popup reminder to take the tour of your new Acer laptop | No |
| Acronis Popup Blocker | U | RunDll32.exe [path] Blocker.dll, Run | Part of Acronis Privacy Expert - anti-spyware and security suite | No |
| Adobe Acrobat | N | READER~1.EXE | Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader PDF document reader. "The Speed Launcher quickly opens and closes all of the files that Acrobat or Adobe Reader will use when the application starts. Opening and closing the files allows your virus protection software to check these programs and add them to its list of safe files" - see here. Not required for Adobe Reader to function properly | No |
| Adobe Acrobat | N | Reader_sl.exe | Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader PDF document reader. "The Speed Launcher quickly opens and closes all of the files that Acrobat or Adobe Reader will use when the application starts. Opening and closing the files allows your virus protection software to check these programs and add them to its list of safe files" - see here. Not required for Adobe Reader to function properly | Yes |
| Adobe Reader Speed Launch | N | Reader_sl.exe | Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader PDF document reader. "The Speed Launcher quickly opens and closes all of the files that Acrobat or Adobe Reader will use when the application starts. Opening and closing the files allows your virus protection software to check these programs and add them to its list of safe files" - see here. Not required for Adobe Reader to function properly | Yes |
| Adobe Reader Speed Launch | N | READER~1.EXE | Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader PDF document reader. "The Speed Launcher quickly opens and closes all of the files that Acrobat or Adobe Reader will use when the application starts. Opening and closing the files allows your virus protection software to check these programs and add them to its list of safe files" - see here. Not required for Adobe Reader to function properly | No |
| Adobe Reader Speed Launcher | N | Reader_sl.exe | Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader PDF document reader. "The Speed Launcher quickly opens and closes all of the files that Acrobat or Adobe Reader will use when the application starts. Opening and closing the files allows your virus protection software to check these programs and add them to its list of safe files" - see here. Not required for Adobe Reader to function properly | Yes |
| AdobeManager | X | rundtl.exe | Added by the INJECT.IB TROJAN! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | rruxdkf.exe | Added by the RBOT.ADF BACKDOOR! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | rvdjlefr.exe | Added by the RBOT-CQZ WORM! | No |
| AdslTaskBar | Y | rundll32.exe stmctrl.dll, TaskBar | ISP software, initializes DSL modem | No |
| Agente | ? | Remupd.exe | Part of an older version of Panda Antivirus. Is this an update reminder (guess because of the name), virus definition update reminder or something similar? | No |
| AME_CSA | N | rundll32 amecsa.cpl, RUN_DLL | Loads ADSL modem Control Panel applet | No |
| Arctosa | U | razerhid.exe | Razer Arctosa gaming keyboard driver - required if you use the additional features and programmed keys/macros | No |
| army logo | U | readmename.exe | Torrent101 potentially unwanted torrent client application that installs a Browser Helper Object and displays advertisements | No |
| Arucer | X | rundll32 Arucer.dll,Arucer | Provides support for the Energizer UsbCharger (Energizer UsbCharger.exe) utility that detects and shows the charging status for the Energizer® Duo USB/mains battery charger. Note - it appears that the product has now been withdrawn from the Energizer product line-up after it was discovered that this file contains the ARUGIZER TROJAN | No |
| Arucer Dynamic Link Library | X | rundll32 Arucer.dll,Arucer | Provides support for the Energizer UsbCharger (Energizer UsbCharger.exe) utility that detects and shows the charging status for the Energizer® Duo USB/mains battery charger. Note - it appears that the product has now been withdrawn from the Energizer product line-up after it was discovered that this file contains the ARUGIZER TROJAN | No |
| AsioReg | U | regsvr32.exe ctasio.dll | ASIO (Audio Stream In/Out) drivers for the SoundBlaster Audigy 2 series soundcards - for recording and home project studios. Required if you use this functionality | No |
| AsioThk32Reg | U | rregsvr32.exe ctasio.dll | ASIO (Audio Stream In/Out) drivers for the SoundBlaster Audigy 2 series soundcards - for recording and home project studios. Required if you use this functionality | No |
| ASK | U | rundll32.exe [path] ASK.dll rdl | Stealth Keylogger keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted | No |
| atidriver | X | reaIplayer.exe | Added by the WARPIGS-E WORM! Note the uppercase "I" in the filename, rather than a lower case "L" | No |
| AudCtrl | ? | RunDll32 AudCtrl.dll, RCMonitor | Audio control panel? | No |
| AUNPS2 | X | RUNDLL32 AUNPS2.DLL, _Run@16 | AUNPS adware | No |
| Authentic-ID Toolbar | Y | rundll32.exe [path] ToolbarATL.dll, LoadTrayIcon | Authentic-ID Toolbar - website authentication utility. Warns you when a site is recognized for phishing or isn't authentic, for example | No |
| autochk | X | rundll32.exe autochk.dll,_IWMPEvents@16 | Added by the OPACHKI.A TROJAN! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "autochk.dll" file is found in %System% | No |
| autochk | X | rundll32.exe protect.dll,_IWMPEvents@16 | Added by the OPACHKI.A TROJAN! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "protect.dll" file is found in %UserProfile% | No |
| AUTOPROP | N | REGPROP.EXE WMPADDIN.DLL | Both the files are in the MS Office/Bots/FP_WMP directory. Apparently, it registers the FrontPage WiMP extension | No |
| autoupdate | X | rundll32 DATADX.DLL,SHStart | Added by a variant of the QOOLOGIC TROJAN! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "DATADX.DLL" file is found in %System% | No |
| autoupdate | X | rundll32 SUPDATE.DLL,SHStart | Added by a variant of the QOOLOGIC TROJAN! Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "SUPDATE.DLL" file is found in %System% | No |
| Avptask | X | rund1132.exe | Added by the AGENT.PKZ TROJAN! | No |
| AxFilter | ? | Rundll32 AXFILTER.DLL, Rundll32 | ?? | No |
| B.Reader | N | remin.exe | Birthday Reminder 5.0 - as the name implies | No |
| babeie | X | rundll32 cnbabe.dll, dllstartup | CommonName Toolbar spyware. To uninstall see here | No |
| BCMHal | U | rundll32.exe bcmhal9x.dll, bcinit | BlasterControl for Creative video cards - controls for desktop settings, monitor configuration, colour adjustments and performance tuning. May be needed to retain settings | No |
| BelNotify | U | rundll32.exe [path] NPBelv32.dll, RunDll32_BelNotify | "BelTech from Belarc enables licensees to offer automated, Web-based problem resolution to their end-users. BelTech allows the end-user to simply go to a web page and automatically resolve their problem or point them to the right solution. BelTech Manager allows non-programmers to rapidly and easily deploy and maintain this service" | No |
| BIE | X | Rundll32.exe [path] BDSrHook.dll, Rundll32 | BDplugin parasite. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted | No |
| BlackBerryAutoUpdate | N | RIMAutoUpdate.exe | Automatic updates for BlackBerry smartphones, provided by Research In Motion. Run manually when required | 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] [1150-1170] | ||||
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.
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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
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