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:
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \tools.exe | X | tools.exe | FastFind adware variant | No |
| (Default) | X | twunk_32.exe | Added by the BLACKMAL.C 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 |
| 00TCrdMain | Y | TCrdMain.exe | Related to the flash card slot on a Toshiba laptop. Ending this process will disable access to the flash cards | No |
| 1A:MacVisionTrayMonitor | U | TrayMonitor.exe | Part of MacVision by Jeff Bargmann - an discontinued program that makes your PC's desktop look and feel incredibly like that of a Macintosh OS8 computer. Handler that puts the icons that are in your system tray into the MacVision taskbar, beside the clock | No |
| 1A:Stardock TrayMonitor | Y | TrayServer.exe | For monitoring tray icons - if disabled icons will not be displayed in ObjectBar or DesktopX | No |
| 32-bit Thunking service | X | thunk32.exe | Added by the DERDERO.A WORM! | No |
| AAATraySaver | N | TraySaver.exe | System Tray management utility from Mike Lin which allows you to hide, show, restore icons that are lost in an Explorer crash, remove dead tray icons, minimize any window to the System Tray | No |
| Acronis True Image | U | TimounterMonitor.exe | Part of Acronis True Image backup software. Monitor for the backup archive explorer for moving and viewing files within an archive | No |
| Acronis True Image Monitor | N | TrueImageMonitor.exe | Part of Acronis True Image - backup software. Can be disabled without affecting TrueImage | No |
| Acronis TrueImage Monitor | N | TrueImageMonitor.exe | Part of Acronis True Image - backup software. Can be disabled without affecting TrueImage | No |
| Acronis*True*Image Monitor | N | TrueImageMonitor.exe | Part of Acronis True Image - backup software. Can be disabled without affecting TrueImage | No |
| AcronisTimounterMonitor | U | TimounterMonitor.exe | Part of Acronis True Image backup software. Monitor for the backup archive explorer for moving and viewing files within an archive | No |
| AcronisTrueImage Monitor | N | TrueImageMonitor.exe | Part of Acronis True Image - backup software. Can be disabled without affecting TrueImage | No |
| AdslTaskBars | X | taskmng.exe | Added by the RBOT-AXZ WORM! | No |
| AdwareKiller_tray | X | tray.exe | EAdwareKiller rogue spyware remover - not recommended, see here | No |
| AGEIA PhysX SysTray | N | TrayIcon.exe | System Tray access to display properties for AGEIA PhysX graphics cards. Unless you change your desktop resolution, etc, regularily use Control Panel -> Display Properties or right-click on the desktop | No |
| Aica | X | tuaa.exe | PurityScan adware | No |
| Aida | X | ttuh.exe | PurityScan adware | No |
| aldefr ere service | X | tay0x.exe | Added by the RBOT-XS WORM! | No |
| AlienAutopsy | N | Test_BS.exe | Alienware computer technical support software | No |
| All Sea screen saver | X | TaskTray.exe | Free screensaver, installs lots of foistware - remove it | No |
| ASDPLUGIN | X | turkey.exe | AsdPlug premium rate adult content dialer | No |
| ASDPLUGIN | X | temp532.exe | AsdPlug premium rate adult content dialer | No |
| ATI Technology Startup | X | techstart.exe | Added by the RBOT-AEU WORM! | No |
| Atomic Time Synchronizer | U | TimeSync.exe | TimeSync - lets you synchronize your computer's clock with any internet atomic clock | No |
| Auto Switch | U | TASKBAR.exe | Related to 2-port Bitronics AutoSwitch kit from Belkin | No |
| Auto WinUpdate | X | taskmrg.exe | Added by the RBOT-AFA WORM! | No |
| avast | X | troyan.exe | Added by the SMALL.CZ TROJAN! | No |
| AXIS Print System TrayIcon | U | TrayIcon.exe | System Tray access to AXIS Print System from AXIS Communications - "adds printer discovery, printer driver installation printing on Windows platforms. Printing is enabled by AXIS Print Monitor, which is one of the components. Another component in AXIS Print System is AXIS IP Installer." Now discontinued | No |
| Banyak_Kerjaan | X | Tukang.exe | Added by the SILLYFDC.BDM WORM! | No |
| Bayswap2 | U | TbUpdate.exe | Hot-swappable drive management on Compaq Notebooks which allows you to swap drives without closing down Windows. Only required if you frequently swap bay devices | No |
| BJPD HID Control | U | TVMon.exe | Related to Canon Photo viewer | No |
| blah service | X | tazkmgr.exe | Added by the RBOT.UA WORM! | No |
| BONZI Task Switcher | X | Taskswitch.exe | Added by the SPYBOT.DTR WORM! | No |
| Brct | X | trdb.exe | Detected by Kaspersky as the PURITYSCAN.Y TROJAN! | No |
| CacheBoost | U | trayicon.exe | CacheBoost "optimizes the System Cache-Management of Windows XP/2000/NT and Windows .Net Servers, resulting in a performance boost" | No |
| Camera Assistant Software | U | traybar.exe | Camera Assistant Software utility for Toshiba laptops - allows you to take pictures with and control the integrated WebCam | No |
| candynet | X | Taskmsg.exe | Added by the RBOT-NA WORM! | No |
| CentralProcessor | X | taskimgr.exe | Added by the BANCOS.J TROJAN! | No |
| cftmon32 | X | taskmgr*.exe [* = number] | Added by the SOWSAT.C and SOWSAT.J WORMS! | No |
| CheckIt | U | ToolBox.exe | CheckIt Toolbox from WinCheckIt Diagnostic Software. Toolbox automatically backs up critical system files (such as .ini files and the Windows Registry), and performs a check on various system parameters at intervals you specify | No |
| Christmas Music Player | N | TTEST6.EXE | "Christmas Music Player brings the music of the Christmas Holiday to your desktop" | No |
| Clik Status Monitor | N | toolsclickstat.exe | Part of Iomega Tools to let you know whether an Iomega PocketZip (nee Clik) removable drive cartridge is installed | No |
| ComcastSUPPORT | X | tgkill.exe | Comcast (the cable folks who are replacing @home in some parts of the USA) have struck a deal with Tioga to provide an "enhanced" support and self-repairing tool. This is "beta" at present and was made available to download by mistake at present. Remove via Start -> Settings -> Add/Remove Programs | No |
| Common Files | X | twain.exe | Added by the AGENT.BEA TROJAN! | No |
| ComPlus Applications | X | twain.exe | Added by the AGENT.AQO TROJAN! | No |
| ComStart | X | Trojan Guarder.exe | TrojanGuarder rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| Config | X | TaskUpdate.exe | Added by the MDROP-BRO TROJAN! | No |
| ControlPanel | X | twink64.exe internat.dll,LoadKeyboardProfile | Added by the DLOADER-BW TROJAN. Note - the "twink64.exe" file is found in %System% | No |
| CoolSwitch | U | taskswitch.exe | ALT+TAB replacement Powertoy for Windows XP - enhances the graphics displayed when you want to switch between programs running full-screen | No |
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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