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? |
|---|
| browser aid | X | browseraid.exe | BrowserAid/BrowserPal foistware | No |
| Browser Help Svc | X | BHSV.EXE | Added by the RBOT-AVQ WORM! | No |
| Browser Hijack Blaster | Y | bhblaster.exe | Browser Hijack Blaster - protects your system from browser hijackers and spyware that alters your IE settings. Now replaced by SpywareGuard | No |
| Browser Launcher | U | Commandr.exe | Logitech internet keyboard "Commander" software - loads the software for the shortcut keys on the keyboard. Not required unless you want to use the short cut keys | No |
| Browser Pal | X | adblck.exe | BrowserAid/BrowserPal foistware | No |
| Browser Sentinel | U | BrowserSentinel.exe | Browser Sentinel - notifies you if a program wants to penetrate into Internet explorer, add itself to the Windows auto-run list or change your home page | No |
| BrowserUpdateSched | X | [random filename] | ZenoSearch adware variant | No |
| BrowserWebCheck | N | loadwc.exe | Checks to make sure that IE is still your default browser | No |
| BrO_AcT | X | BrO-AcT.exe | Added by the SILLYFDC-D WORM! | No |
| brs | U | brs.exe | Part of Cyberlink's PowerDVD Blu-ray and DVD player. Allows the user to change the region coding of their player (as long as it isn't hardware coded) up to a maximum of 5 times | Yes |
| brwdiag | X | [path to worm] | Added by the STRATIO-BN WORM! | No |
| BS Mediaplayer | X | bsplyr.exe | Added by the RBOT-OU WORM! | No |
| BS Player | N | bsplayer.exe | BSplayer - A video player used to play avi, mpg, wmv and other multimedia files | No |
| BsCLiP | N | BSCLIP.exe | CD recording utility that comes with a lot of CDR/CDRW drives and isn't required | No |
| BsMnt | ? | BsMnt.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 |
| Bsoft lppt01 | X | Bsoft.exe | RapidBlaster variant (in a "BelmontSoft" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here | No |
| bsplayer | N | bsplayer.exe | BSplayer - a video player used to play avi, mpg, wmv and other multimedia files | No |
| BsRte | X | MemoteXZZ.exe | Added by the AUTORUN-AJU WORM! | No |
| BSserver | X | FileKan.exe | Added by the VB.CBW WORM! | No |
| BSVCHOST | X | SVCH0ST.EXE | Added by the VOXOM TROJAN! Notice the digit "0" in the filename rather than the upper case "o" | No |
| Bsx3 | X | RunDLL32.EXE bs3.dll,DllRun | BookedSpace parasite. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "bs3.dll" file is located in %Windir% | No |
| BT | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the LITEBOT-B TROJAN! | No |
| BT Broadband Basic Help | U | matcli.exe | "matcli.exe is a motive Assistant Command line interface that gathers information about your system's identity like your name email address, city, county, etc and gets written to a log file". BT Broadband Help is required to run with the Help and Support program. If you uncheck BT Broadband Help and and then run Help and Support it will add another BT Broadband Help in the startup menu. If you remove this software in "add/remove programs" some help menus in help and support will not be available. You decide | No |
| BT Broadband Desktop Help | U | matcli.exe | "matcli.exe is a motive Assistant Command line interface that gathers information about your system's identity like your name email address, city, county, etc and gets written to a log file". BT Broadband Help is required to run with the Help and Support program. If you uncheck BT Broadband Help and and then run Help and Support it will add another BT Broadband Help in the startup menu. If you remove the BT Broadband Help in the add/remove program some help menus in help and support will not be available. You decide | No |
| BT Broadband Help | U | matcli.exe | "matcli.exe is a motive Assistant Command line interface that gathers information about your system's identity like your name email address, city, county, etc and gets written to a log file". BT Broadband Help is required to run with the Help and Support program. If you uncheck BT Broadband Help and and then run Help and Support it will add another BT Broadband Help in the startup menu. If you remove the BT Broadband Help in the add/remove program some help menus in help and support will not be available. You decide | No |
| BT00003* | X | abcdefg23.exe | Added by the VB-VT TROJAN where * = 5,6 or 7! | No |
| BT00003* | X | hiklmnop27.exe | Added by the VB-VT TROJAN where * = 2,3 or 4! | No |
| btbb_wcm_McciTrayApp | U | McciTrayApp.exe | System tray access to Motive's Broadband 2.0 configuration and repair utility | No |
| BtcMaestro | U | KMaestro.exe | Multimedia keyboard manager. Required if you use the multimedia keys | No |
| btdna | N | btdna.exe | "BitTorrent DNA is a FREE content delivery service based on the BitTorrent protocol which brings the power of user-contributed bandwidth to traditional content publishers while leaving publishers in full control of their files". Now a stand-alone product where the user creates the download, DNA used to be included with and used by earlier versions of the main BitTorrent client. As files are downloaded via a file-sharing network make sure you have good, up-to-date virus protection and check any downloads. Start manually via Control Panel → DNA | Yes |
| btdna.exe | N | btdna.exe | "BitTorrent DNA is a FREE content delivery service based on the BitTorrent protocol which brings the power of user-contributed bandwidth to traditional content publishers while leaving publishers in full control of their files". Now a stand-alone product where the user creates the download, DNA used to be included with and used by earlier versions of the main BitTorrent client. As files are downloaded via a file-sharing network make sure you have good, up-to-date virus protection and check any downloads. Start manually via Control Panel → DNA | Yes |
| btinst | ? | btinst.exe | Associated with an Anycom bluetooth wireless card. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| BTModemProtection | U | BTModemProtection.exe | BT Privacy Online modem protection software, see here | No |
| btmsre.exe | X | btmsre.exe | Added by the SDBOT.AM WORM! | No |
| BTopenworld | U | DialBTYahoo.exe | BT Yahoo! internet connection manager
| No |
| BTSETBOOTKEY | ? | BTSetBootKey.exe | Related to a USB Bluetooth adaptor. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| BtStart | U | btstart.exe | Broadcom (formerly WIDCOMM) Bluetooth Connectivity Software | No |
| BTTray | U | BTTray.exe | System tray icon which shows the status of a Bluetooth wireless module (either integrated or via an adapter). Most systems with such a module installed can enable/disable the module and the icon changes from blue/white to blue/red when the module is turned off. Also allows access to explore bluetooth places, setup wizard, advanced configuration, quick connect and shutdown device. This entry is required in order to successfully "pair" your system with a Bluetooth device (such as a mobile phone, PDA, headset) using this wireless protocol (via a PIN) | Yes |
| BTUSRBDG | Y | BtUsrBdg.exe | Used with a Mitsumi USB Bluetooth adaptor (and maybe others) | No |
| BTUSRBDGF | Y | BtUsrBdg.exe | Used with a Mitsumi USB Bluetooth adaptor (and maybe others) | No |
| BTV | X | btv.exe | BroadcastPC adware | No |
| BtvC | X | btvclean.exe | BroadcastPC adware | No |
| Bubble | Y | Bubble.exe | Part of Windows SteadyState, which is designed to make life easier for people who set up and maintain shared computers - enabling the system administrator to prevent users from making changes to the system configuration, windows desktop, restricting program access, etc. It's intended for shared user environments such as internet cafés, libraries and schools but can be used in any environment. Bubble allows notification messages to appear on a computer managed by Windows SteadyState | Yes |
| Buddyizer | N | Buddyizer.exe | Part of the AIMster Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing application that runs over the AOL Instant Messenger network | No |
| BudgetSip | N | BudgetSip.exe | BudgetSip - 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 |
| BUFFALO Power Save Utility for HD | U | HDManage.exe | Power Save utility for Buffalo backup hard discs | No |
| BufferZone | Y | CLIENTGUI.EXE | BufferZone from Trustware - "is the only security software that creates a separate environment allowing you unlimited freedom to enjoy all Internet activities without the fear of external threats" | No |
| Bug Eliminator | N | Bug_Elim.exe | Bug Eliminator - "performs a complete health check on your computer safely, securely, and silently!" | No |
| BugsDestroyer | X | SysRep.exe | BugsDestroyer rogue system error and cleaning utility - not recommended, removal instructions here. A member of the ErrClean family | No |
| bugwatcher service | U | bugwatcher.exe | Bugtoaster is a service that sends reports on system/program crashes (certain types) back to Bugtoaster. They relay information to program authors and provide, if available, any known solutions to the crashes. It doesn't take up any room in memory, just activates in the event of certain program failures | 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