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:
- "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? |
|---|
| BGInfo | U | Bginfo.exe | BGinfo automatically displays relevant information about a Windows computer on the desktop's background, such as the computer name, IP address, service pack version, and more | No |
| BgMonitor_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA} | U | NMBgMonitor.exe | Associated with Nero Scout, added by version 7 of the Nero digital media suite (CD & DVD burning, authoring, etc). Thanks to Help2Go.com, if you feel this is draining more resources that necessary you can disable it by clicking here | No |
| BGNewsAgent | Y | bgnewsag.exe | BullGuard antivirus updater
| No |
| bgoomain.exe | X | bgoomain.exe | Baigoo.a malware | No |
| bgsmsnd | N | bgsmsnd.exe | Printer driver to generate PDF files from any program | No |
| Bharatayuda | X | GNB.exe | Added by the BHARAT.A WORM! | No |
| BHOCop | N | BHOCop.exe | PC Magazine's BHO Cop that lets you see what browser helper objects are installed. Useful for detecting spyware | No |
| BHODemon 2.0 | U | BHODemon.exe | BHODemon "protects you from unknown Browser Helper Objects (BHOs), by letting you enable/disable them individually. When running, it also monitors your Registry and alerts you when a BHO is installed. Best of all, BHODemon knows about the most common BHOs - the good ones, and the not-so-good ones!". If you prefer forgoing resident protection, the application can also be run on demand | No |
| BHR | U | BHR.exe | Browser Hijack Retaliator - recovers your browser after it has been hijacked by spyware, adware, etc | No |
| BI1HelperStartUp | U | BI1HEL~1.EXE | ScreenScenes "Beach Islands" screensaver. The freeware version comes with GAIN branded ads (pop-ups and others). ScreenScenes do however offer you the option of doing away with the ads by purchasing the screensaver for a whopping $30. Please note that Claria Corporation no longer support GAIN-Supported software - see here | 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 |
| BIG | X | biggy.exe | Added by the DELBOT-AG WORM! | No |
| BigDog303 | N | VM303_STI.EXE | Vmicro webcam USB utility - allows the webcam to initiate data transfer to a program. Create a shortcut and start it manually when needed | No |
| BigDog305 | N | VM305_STI.EXE | Vmicro webcam USB utility - allows the webcam to initiate data transfer to a program. Create a shortcut and start it manually when needed | No |
| BigDogPath | ? | VM_STI.EXE | Bundled with some software for digital cameras that use a USB connection - what does it do and is it required? | No |
| BigfileSearch | X | BigfileSearch.exe | BigfileSearch adware. File located in %Program Files%\BigfileSearch | No |
| bigfix | N | BIGFIX.EXE | BigFix can automatically download and read technical support information provided by computer and software manufacturers and other technical support experts (published in the form of Fixlet® Messages) and can automatically check your computer for bugs, configuration conflicts, and security holes. Should only be started manually as it's a resource hog | Yes |
| biglow | X | biglow.exe | Added by a variant of the Storm/Nuwar/Zhelatin WORM! See here for an example | No |
| bigoris | X | bigoris.exe | Added by the DORF-AZ TROJAN! | No |
| BigPond Toolbar | U | bpumTray.exe | Telstra BigPond Toolbar - "Introducing the free and easy to use BigPond Toolbar that is designed to make your internet experience and managing your Telstra internet account a whole lot easier" | No |
| BigPondCable | N | bpcable.exe | Telstra Bigpond Cable login software - can be started manually
| No |
| BigPondWirelessBroadbandCM | Y | BigPond_CM.exe | Related to BigPond_Wireless_Broadband Service by Telstra | No |
| bikini | X | bikini.exe | Added by the LOWZONE-CX TROJAN! | No |
| Bilbulon | N | Bilbulon.exe | Bilbulon from EcoSoft - swaps text from Hebrew to another language and back. It helps correct typing mistakes which occur if you forget to switch to a different language before starting to type" | No |
| BillGatesLoh.exe | X | BillGatesLoh.exe | Added by the AGENT-FZO TROJAN! | No |
| Billminder | N | Billmind.exe | Can be setup in Quicken to remind user of due payments. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| bin32hpu | X | ppstub.exe | PrecisionPop adware | No |
| Bing Bar | N | mswinext.exe | Bing Bar - the latest incarnation of the MSN Toolbar from version 5.* onwards. This entry loads the toolbar into memory at start-up before you open your internet browser. Not required - it will load with the browser and remains in memory after the browser is closed | Yes |
| bingdian | X | Bingdian.vbs | Added by the BINGD WORM! | No |
| Bingo Charm | ? | charms.exe | Some kind of screen icon kind of like desk flag, but it gives you a choice of icons? | No |
| Biomenu | U | menusw.exe | Related to Sony VAIO - passwords, encryption, and a biometric fingerprint sensor | No |
| Bionix Wallpaper 5 | U | Bionix Wallpaper 5.exe | BioniX Wallpaper Changer - "the most advanced wallpaper changer/wallpaper manager software in the world" | No |
| BioniXWallpaper | U | Bionix Wallpaper 5beta.exe | BioniX Wallpaper Changer - "the most advanced wallpaper changer/wallpaper manager software in the world" | No |
| BioniXWallpaper | U | BioniX Wallper.exe | BioniX Wallpaper Changer - "the most advanced wallpaper changer/wallpaper manager software in the world" | No |
| BioniXWallpaper | U | BionixWallpaper5.exe | BioniX Wallpaper Changer - "the most advanced wallpaper changer/wallpaper manager software in the world" | No |
| Bios | X | Bios32.exe | Added by an unidentified VIRUS, WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| bios | X | bios.exe | Added by the BANCBAN-PW TROJAN! | No |
| BIOS XP Loader | X | [random filename] | Added by the RBOT-IC WORM! | No |
| BIOS1 | X | BIOS1.EXE | Added by the OPASERV.T WORM! | No |
| BIOVCIP | ? | BIOVCIP.exe | ?? | No |
| BisonHK | ? | BisonHK.exe | Related to a Bison webcam - which is used on notebooks from a number of manufacturers including Acer, Asus, Lenovo & Samsung. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| BisonInst0402 | Y | BR040286.exe | Driver for integrated notebook webcams from Bison Electronics Inc - such as the Acer Crystal Eye | No |
| BitComet | N | BitComet.exe | BitComet P2P client - can be launched from Start -> Programs | No |
| BitDefender 12 | Y | bdwizreg.exe | Configuration wizard for BitDefender internet security products. Only runs once the product has been installed. Guides you through the steps necessary to configure the BitDefender modules, applies settings to cover your requirements and security needs and takes the first actions to making your computer virus-free | Yes |
| BitDefender 2009 | Y | IEShow.exe | Anti-phishing component of BitDefender internet security products. Anti-phishing prevents sensitive data such as usernames, passwords and credit card details being acquired by web-sites and E-mails masquerading as a trustworthy sources. This entry is from the 2009 versions. It can also be licensed by other products such as versions of The Shield Deluxe from PCSecurityShield (see here) - who's reputation is poor | Yes |
| BitDefender 2009 | Y | bdagent.exe | BitDefender Agent - for BitDefender internet security products. Maintains settings (for all users) and provides alerts and System Tray access to the main program. Note - for the System Tray icon to be displayed the Terminal Services service must be set to either "Manual" or "Automatic". It can also be licensed by other products such as versions of The Shield Deluxe from PCSecurityShield (see here) - who's reputation is poor | Yes |
| BitDefender Antiphishing Helper | Y | IEShow.exe | Anti-phishing component of BitDefender internet security products. Anti-phishing prevents sensitive data such as usernames, passwords and credit card details being acquired by web-sites and E-mails masquerading as a trustworthy sources. It can also be licensed by other products such as versions of The Shield Deluxe from PCSecurityShield (see here) - who's reputation is poor | Yes |
| BitDefender Antivirus | X | BITDEFENDERX.EXE | Added by a variant of the SPYBOT WORM! | No |
| BitDefender Communicator | Y | xcommsvr.exe | BitDefender antivirus | No |
| BitDefender for MSN Messenger | U | msnmon.exe | Bitdefender anti-virus for MSN Messenger - no longer supported at the BitDefender website | No |
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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.
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.
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