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? |
|---|
| Copyright | N | mwcpyrt.exe | Displays copyright information on IBM ThinkPads | No |
| Core Process Aplication | X | ccapl.exe | Added by the QHOSTS.G TROJAN! | No |
| Core Process Aplication x16 | X | ccapl16.exe | Added by the SPYBOT.AFT WORM! | No |
| Core Process Aplication x32 | X | ccapl32.exe | Added by the SRAMLER.E TROJAN! | No |
| Core System Hardware | X | syscorehd.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here | No |
| CoreCenter | U | CoreCenter.exe | MSI Core Center - motherboard utility for monitoring CPU speed, voltages, temperatures and fans speeds as well as overclocking | No |
| CoreCenter | U | CORECE~1.EXE | MSI Core Center - motherboard utility for monitoring CPU speed, voltages, temperatures and fans speeds as well as overclocking | No |
| Coreguard Antivirus 2009 | X | Coreguard 2009.exe | Coreguard Antivirus 2009 rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| Corel Colleagues & Contacts Reminders | N | cffrem.exe | Corel Colleagues & Contracts - all-in-one organizer for scheduling meetings, maintaining addresses, etc. Part of the now defunct Corel Print Office | No |
| Corel Desktop Application Director | N | dadx.exe | The Desktop Application Director (DAD) gives you easy access to all Corel applications - x represents ther version number. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Corel Family & Friends reminders | N | CFFREM.EXE | Corel Family & Friends - all-in-one calender, address book and list manager. Part of the now defunct Corel Print House Magic | No |
| Corel Photo Downloader | N | MediaDetect.exe | Related to Corel Photo Album
| No |
| Corel Registration | N | Remind32.exe | If you don't want to register Corel products and be reminded about it every 2 weeks disable it | No |
| Corel Registration Reminder | N | Remind32.exe | If you don't want to register Corel products and be reminded about it every 2 weeks disable it | No |
| Corel Reminder | N | NAVBROWSER.EXE | If you don't want to register Corel products and be reminded about it every 2 weeks disable it | No |
| Corel Reminder | N | NAVBrowser.exe | Registration reminder for CorelDRAW 10 | No |
| CorelCENTRAL 10 | N | I_26dadCC.exe | CorelCENTRAL 10 - personal information manager (PIM). Supplied as part of Corel WordPerfect Office 2002. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| CorelDraw Toolbox | X | CorelDraw.exe | Added by the SDBOT-VZ WORM! | No |
| CorelMedia FoldersIndexer8 | N | MFindexer.exe | Part of CorelDraw bundles for indexing media files - similar to "fast find" in MS Office | No |
| CorelMedia FoldersIndexer8 | N | MFINDE~1.EXE | Part of CorelDraw bundles for indexing media files - similar to "fast find" in MS Office | No |
| CoreSrv | X | coresrv.exe | Some IRC trojans/worms use this - see here for more information | No |
| CORESYS | ? | coresys.exe | ?? | No |
| Corporate Microsoft Update | X | uptask.exe | Added by the RBOT-GVB WORM! | No |
| CorrectConnect | N | CConnect.exe | Broadband ISP diagnostic tool - as used by NTL and Cox Communications. Shortcut available | No |
| cosine | X | cosine.exe | Added by the RBOT-SW WORM! | No |
| CostAware | U | niIPCApp.exe | NetInternals CostAware - download quota measuring tool | No |
| Counterstrike Service Agent | X | czrzns.exe | Added by the MEDBOT.AR WORM! | No |
| Country Select | N | pctptt.exe | Country selection for a PCtel HSP56 based modem. Often found in OEM (Dell,Compaq, HP, etc) systems for their modems included on the motherboard or as a separate card. Once you've set the modem up to the chosen country it's not required | No |
| CountrySelection | N | pctptt.exe | Country selection for a PCtel HSP56 based modem. Often found in OEM (Dell,Compaq, HP, etc) systems for their modems included on the motherboard or as a separate card. Once you've set the modem up to the chosen country it's not required | No |
| Coupon Offers | ? | ?? | ?? | No |
| couponica | X | couponica.exe | Adware - see here | No |
| CP | ? | CopyProtectionNotifier.exe | Related to Emuzed Systems and Middleware. Comes included with Windows XP Media Edition | No |
| CP32NOT | U | CP32BTN.EXE | For the programmable "one-touch" buttons on HP laptops (and others?). Safe to disable if you don't use these buttons | No |
| CP4HPOT | U | OneTouch.EXE | One Touch keyboard driver. Required if you use the additional keys | No |
| CP888M1 | N | CP888M1.EXE | Related to EZbutton quick launcher for the Media player app that comes with certain laptops | No |
| CPA9P2PSERVER | ? | CPA9P2PS.exe | Found on a Compaq Presario but what is it? | No |
| cpanel | X | winlogin32.exe | Added by the RBOT-FOY WORM! | No |
| CPATR10 | U | CPATR10.EXE | Dritek/Compal ATR10 Easy Button driver. Used on certain laptops (e.g. Toshiba, Compaq) to translate special hotkeys such as Play/Pause and Constrast | No |
| CPBrWtch | U | CPBrWtch.exe | Kookaburra Software's Cookie Pal cookie manager. Allows you to decide which internet sites can add "cookies" related to their sites for the next time you return | No |
| CPD_EXE | Y | CPD.EXE | Firewall bundled with McAfee VirusScan 6.* | No |
| cpl | X | deamon.exe | Added by the TACTSLAY.C TROJAN! | No |
| cpl | X | msgaol.exe | Added by the TACTSLAY.C TROJAN! | No |
| cpl | X | s_menu.exe | Added by the TACTSLAY.C TROJAN! | No |
| cpl | X | browse.exe | Added by the TACTSLAY.C TROJAN! | No |
| CplBTQ00 | N | CplBTQ00.EXE | Related to EZbutton quick launcher for the Media player app that comes with certain laptops | No |
| CPLDBL10 | N | CPLDBL10.exe | Related to EZbutton quick launcher for the Media player app that comes with certain laptops | No |
| cpntmgc | X | wincomp.exe | Added by the WINTRIM.A TROJAN! | No |
| cpntmgc | X | simcss.exe | Added by the MAGICON.A TROJAN! | No |
| cpntmgc | X | navpmc.exe | Added by the SIMCSS TROJAN! | No |
| cpntmgc | X | winmgts.exe | Added by the WINTRIM-B TROJAN! | 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