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:
- "Y" - Normally leave to run at start-up
- "N" - Not required or not recommended - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary
- "U" - User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary
- "X" - Definitely not required - typically viruses, spyware, adware and "resource hogs"
- "?" - Unknown
Variables:
- %System% - refers to the System folder; by default this is C:\Windows\System (9x/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (NT/2K), or C:\Windows\System32 (XP/Vista)
- %Windir% - refers to the Windows installation folder; by default this is C:\Windows (9x/Me/XP/Vista) or C:\Winnt (NT/2K)
- %UserProfile% - refers to the current user's profile folder; by default this is C:\Documents and Settings\ (NT/2K/XP) or C:\Users\ (Vista)
- %ProgramFiles% - refers to the Program Files folder; typically the path is C:\Program Files
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| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|
| Avptask | X | rund1132.exe | Added by the AGENT.PKZ TROJAN! | No |
| AvpWx | X | WErcx.exe | Detected by Kaspersky as a variant of the AGENT.A TROJAN! | No |
| Avril Lavigne - Muse | X | [random filename] | Added by the AVRIL-A WORM! | No |
| avrlabs | X | avrlabs.exe | VirusResponse Lab 2009 rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| avscan | X | avscan.exe | Added by the SILLYFDC.BCR WORM! The file is in the users %Temp% directory | No |
| AVScan | X | winav.exe | Unidentfied rogue security software | No |
| AvScan | X | avscan.exe | Antivirus System PRO and Spyware Protect 2009 rogue security software. The file is located in %ProgramFiles%\<rogue name> | No |
| AVSCHED32 | Y | AVSched32.exe | AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic - antivirus | No |
| AVSchedScan | Y | SCHSC9X.EXE | Command Antivirus related | No |
| AVSeguro | X | pgs.exe | AVSeguro, Spanish rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| AvSer | X | dsm.exe | Added by the SERFLOG.B WORM! | No |
| AvSer | X | msmpatch.exe | Added by the SERFLOG.B WORM! | No |
| AvSer | X | svosm.exe | Added by the SERFLOG.B WORM! | No |
| AvSer | X | sysup.exe | Added by the SERFLOG.B WORM! | No |
| avserve.exe | X | avserve.exe | Added by the SASSER WORM! | No |
| avserve2.exe | X | avserve2.exe | Added by the SASSER.B or SASSER.C WORMS! | No |
| avserve3.exe | X | avserve3.exe | Added by the SASSER.G WORM! | No |
| AVStation premium | U | AVStation agent.exe | Related to Samsung AV Station - instant playback of music, photos, videos | No |
| AVSystemCare | X | pgs.exe | AVSystemCare rogue security software - not recommended. There are number of variants in this family sharing the same filename and user interface - see here | No |
| avtapi | X | avtapi.exe | Added by the AGENT.AM TROJAN! Note - example names include "XviD", "Winamp Remote", "Windows Media Player" and "Futuremark" | No |
| Avtray | N | Avtray.exe | Command Antivirus tray icon | No |
| AVupdate32 Update | X | AVupdate32.exe | Added by the RBOT.CNI TROJAN! | No |
| AVWLPSTA | ? | AVWLPSTA.exe | PRISM Status Tray Applet - but what is it for and is it required? | No |
| AVWUpd32 | Y | AVWUPD32.EXE | AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic - updater | No |
| avx communicator | Y | xcommsur.exe | Anti-virus part of BitDefender virus scanner/firewall | No |
| Avxlive | Y | avxlive.exe | Bullguard or BitDefender antivirus | No |
| avxlni | Y | avxinit.exe | Anti-virus part of BitDefender virus scanner/firewall | No |
| Avxnews | ? | ?? | ?? | No |
| Awatch | U | Awatch.exe | Diagnosis tool that monitors DSL connections, installed alongside DSL drivers from AVM Fritz's range of modem products | No |
| AwaySch | U | AwaySch.EXE | Part of the IBM ThinkVantage Productivity Center. "The Away Manager application allows you preselect and run routine tasks to maintain your system's performance" | No |
| AWC | U | AWC.exe | Advanced SystemCare from IObit - "helps protect, optimize, clean, and repair your computer and Registry." The PRO version adds automation, anti-spyware, privacy protection and performance tune-ups | No |
| awhost32 | N | awhost32.exe | Part of Symantec's pcAnywhere remote PC management software. Provides an automatic startup of the client PC in host mode in conjuction with a host-definition file, so system administrators can access the machine. Can cause a 10% reduction in speed and not recommended | No |
| AWMON | U | Ad-Watch.exe | Part of Lavasoft Ad-aware Plus - realtime spyware-monitor watching your memory and registry for spyware that tries to install or change your system | No |
| AWMON | U | Ad-Monitor.exe | F-Secure Anti-Spyware | No |
| Awoa | X | smmo.exe | PurityScan adware | No |
| awplite | U | awplite.exe | AllWallpapers Lite desktop wallpaper changer | No |
| AWUSGSTA | ? | AWUSGSTA.exe | Reportedly related to a USB Wifi Adapter - is it required at startup?
| No |
| awxDTools | U | awxDTools.dll, awxRegisterDll | AwxDTools related - a Windows Shell-Extension for the Daemon-Tools. It extends the context-menu of ImageFiles supported by Daemon-Tools (i.e.: *.cue, *.iso, *.ccd ...) | No |
| AxFilter | ? | Rundll32 AXFILTER.DLL, Rundll32 | ?? | No |
| AXIS Print System DriverScanner | U | DriverScanner.exe | Part of 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 |
| AXIS Print System DriverServer | U | DriverServer.exe | Part of 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 |
| 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 |
| AXPFixer | X | AXPFixer.exe | AdvancedXPFixer rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| AXVenore | X | AXVenore.exe | Added by an unidentified TROJAN - see here | No |
| AzMixerSel | U | AzMixerSel.exe | Related to Realtek_Azalia Mixer Selector | No |
| azmodem | Y | azexe.exe | Aztech Labs modem driver | No |
| a_vpd | ? | vpd.exe | Located in the IBMTOOLS\VPD sub-directory. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| B'sCLiP | N | BSCLIP.exe | CD recording utility that comes with a lot of CDR/CDRW drives and isn't required | No |
| b.exe | X | b.exe | Added by the SDBOT.BND WORM! | No |
| B.Reader | N | remin.exe | Birthday Reminder 5.0 - as the name implies | No |
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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
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
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