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] [1150-1199] [1200-1249] [1250-1299] [1300-1349] [1350-1399] [1400-1449] [1450-1499] [1500-1549] [1550-1599] [1600-1649] [1650-1699] [1700-1749] [1750-1762] | ||||
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | system32.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-KU WORM! Note - has a blank entry under the Startup Item/Name field | No | |
| !AVG Anti-Spyware | Y | avgas.exe | System Tray access to and notifications for AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5. This has now been superseded by AVG Anti-Virus which includes Anti-Spyware | Yes |
| !ewido | Y | ewido.exe | System Tray access to and notifications for Ewido Anti-Spyware 4.0. Ewido is now part of AVG Technologies so this has been superseded by AVG Anti-Virus which includes Anti-Spyware | Yes |
| $sys$cmp | X | $sys$xp.exe | Added by the RYKNOS.B TROJAN! Attempts to utilize the Sony Rootkit A.K.A. SecurityRisk.First4DRM security risk to hide itself on the compromised computer | No |
| $sys$crash | X | $sys$sonyTimer.exe | Added by the WELOMOCH TROJAN! | No |
| $sys$crash | X | $sys$sos$sys$.exe | Added by the WELOMOCH TROJAN! | No |
| $sys$crash | X | $sys$WeLoveMcCOL.exe | Added by the WELOMOCH TROJAN! | No |
| $sys$drv | X | $sys$drv.exe | Added by the RYKNOS TROJAN! Attempts to utilize the Sony Rootkit A.K.A. SecurityRisk.First4DRM security risk to hide itself on the compromised computer | No |
| $sys$momomomochin | X | $sys$sonyTimer.exe | Added by the WELOMOCH TROJAN! | No |
| $sys$momomomochin | X | $sys$sos$sys$.exe | Added by the WELOMOCH TROJAN! | No |
| $sys$momomomochin | X | $sys$WeLoveMcCOL.exe | Added by the WELOMOCH TROJAN! | No |
| $sys$umaiyo | X | $sys$sonyTimer.exe | Added by the WELOMOCH TROJAN! | No |
| $sys$umaiyo | X | $sys$sos$sys$.exe | Added by the WELOMOCH TROJAN! | No |
| $sys$umaiyo | X | $sys$WeLoveMcCOL.exe | Added by the WELOMOCH TROJAN! | No |
| %cmpmixtitle% | ? | %cmpmixstr% | Possibly related to C-Media Mixer Control panel? | No |
| %Temp% | X | %Temp%\delwdef2008.bat | WinDefender 2008 rogue privacy program - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| µTorrent | N | uTorrent.exe | µTorrent - file sharing client for Windows sporting a very small footprint from BitTorrent, Inc. Designed to use as little cpu, memory and space as possible while offering all the functionality expected from advanced clients. For more information about the protocol see here. As µTorrent is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing client used to distribute large amounts of data between multiple users make sure you have good, up-to-date virus protection and check any downloads | Yes |
| 'AdwarePro' | X | 'AdwarePro'.exe | AdWarePro rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| (Default) | X | [random filename].exe | Added by the BLACKMAL WORM! Note - this malware actually changes the value data of the "(Default)" key in HKLM\Run and HKLM\RunServices in order to force Windows to launch it at boot. The name field in MSConfig may be blank | No |
| (Default) | X | 5640.exe | Added by the DOWNLD-ABF TROJAN! 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 |
| *MS Setup | X | [random filename] | Virtumondo adware, also known as the VUNDO TROJAN! | No |
| *Windows [filename] Checker | X | [filename] | Added by the KEDEBE-B WORM! | No |
| *WinLogon | X | [trojan path] ren time:[random number] | Added by the VUNDO TROJAN! | No |
| 000StTHK | U | 000StTHK.exe | Toshiba Hot key functionality for the function keys (Fn-Esc, Fn-F1 (lock), Fn-F2, Fn-F3, Fn-F4, Fn-F5 (switching between laptop and CRT display output), etc...) | No |
| 0050726-007-i32-1 | X | 0050726-007-i32-1.exe | Added by the BANCBAN-EC TROJAN! | No |
| 007-Anti-Spyware.exe | X | 007-Anti-Spyware.exe | 007 Anti-Spyware rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| 00DSKSVR00 | ? | desksaver.exe saskda | Part of Advanced Desktop Shield, Easy Desktop Keeper, 1st Desktop Guard and Desktop Layout Keeper (and maybe others) - which give you the ability to save, restore, manage and lock your desktop layout that includes files and folders located on your desktop, placement of desktop icons, desired wallpaper and screen saver. The exact purpose of this startup entry is unknown at present | Yes |
| 00DSKSVR01 | U | desksaver.exe tray | System Tray access to Advanced Desktop Shield, Easy Desktop Keeper, 1st Desktop Guard and Desktop Layout Keeper (and maybe others) - which give you the ability to save, restore, manage and lock your desktop layout that includes files and folders located on your desktop, placement of desktop icons, desired wallpaper and screen saver. Disabling via the program's own options will leave this startup entry but it will not run - "desksaver.exe" does however run as it's also used as a service | Yes |
| 00ERSRRRNKY | U | eraser.exe | Part of Evidence Exterminator, 1st Evidence Remover and Evidence Destructor (and maybe others) - the same file for the same version being used by all programs. Security tools that ensure your security and privacy by destroying all hidden activity information on demand, according to a schedule or on each boot/shutdown. This entry provides System Tray access to the main program for on demand cleaning and is required if any automatic cleaning has been scheduled. Located in %ProgramFiles%\Evidence Exterminator, %ProgramFiles%\1st Evidence Remover, %ProgramFiles%\Evidence Destructor or maybe others | Yes |
| 00notify33 | ? | NetBrowser.exe | Part of Best Network Security, 1st Network Admin and Corporate Network Security (and maybe others) - network-based password-protected security software that lets you impose access restrictions to all your PC workstations you have in your corporate network to stop users from tampering with them. The exact purpose of this startup entry is unknown at present | Yes |
| 00THotkey | U | 00THotKey.exe | For Toshiba Satellite notebook series to use the front buttons, play, stop, next, prev. | No |
| 0mcamcap | X | 0mcamcap.exe | Added by the COSIAM-H TROJAN! | No |
| 0utlook Express | X | *****.exe [* = random char] | Added by the RBOT-CC WORM! Note the first letter is actually the digit "0" and not a capital "o" | No |
| 1 | X | 1.exe | Added by the ESTEEMS TROJAN! | No |
| 101Clips | U | 101Clips.exe | 101Clips - "the simplest of all multi-clipboard programs. Just have it running minimized and it captures everything you cut or copy from other programs. It keeps the last 25" | No |
| 1111swapmgr.exe | X | 1111swapmgr.exe | Added by the BDOOR-IC BACKDOOR! | No |
| 12Ghosts Backup | U | 12backup.exe | 12Ghosts Backup - "Automatic Backups, HyperBackup for Multiple Versions, Registry Backup" | No |
| 12Ghosts Clip | U | 12clip.exe | 12Ghosts Clip - "Screen shots made easy" | No |
| 12Ghosts JustAWindow | U | 12window.exe | 12Ghosts JustAWindow - "Cover annoying ads, animated gifs, things you don't want to see" | No |
| 12Ghosts Popup-Killer | U | 12popup.exe | 12Ghosts Popup-Killer | No |
| 12Ghosts SaveLayout | U | 12autosl.exe | 12Ghosts SaveLayout - "Always (always!) keep the layout of your desktop icons" | No |
| 12Ghosts SetColor | U | 12color.exe | 12Ghosts SetColor - "Change your desktop icon text colors, also to transparent" | No |
| 12Ghosts ShowTime | U | 12showtime.exe | 12Ghosts Showtime - "Enhance the clock in your tray with font formatting, colors, date, time zones" | No |
| 12Ghosts Synchronize | U | 12sync.exe | 12Ghosts Synchronize - "Sync PC clock with an atomic clock over the Internet" | No |
| 12Ghosts Tower | U | 12tower.exe | 12Ghosts Tower - "Quickly access and manage all Ghosts (included in all packages)" | No |
| 12Ghosts TrayProtect | U | 12srvc.exe | 12Ghosts TrayProtect - "Hide tray icons, restore after a crash" | No |
| 12Ghosts Wash | U | 12wash.exe | 12Ghosts Wash - "Protect your privacy, clear browser history, delete and overwrite cache files" | No |
| 12Voip | N | 12Voip.exe | 12Voip - free internet telephony utility using the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Call online friends for free and regular phones either for free (limited use) or low rates. One of a number provided by Betamax - the others generally have different rate plans. Similar to the more popular Skype | Yes |
| 180adsolution | X | 180adsolution.exe | 180solutions adware | No |
| 180ax | X | 180ax.exe | 180Search adware | 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] [1750-1762] | ||||
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.
| Sponsored links: | Leased Line | Polycom Soundstation 2 | UK VPN | SDSL |
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
Support