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? |
|---|
| Cobian Backup 7 Interface | U | cobui.exe | System Tray access to Cobian Backup 7 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program using the default settings as service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup installation option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| Cobian Backup 8 | U | Cobian.exe | Cobian Backup 8 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program as a startup application rather than the default service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP/Vista). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| Cobian Backup 8 interface | U | cbInterface.exe | System Tray access to Cobian Backup 8 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program using the default settings as service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP/Vista). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup installation option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| Cobian Backup 9 | U | Cobian.exe | Cobian Backup 9 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program as a startup application rather than the default service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP/Vista). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| Cobian Backup 9 interface | U | cbInterface.exe | System Tray access to Cobian Backup 9 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program using the default settings as service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP/Vista). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup installation option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| Cobian Backup Amanita | U | cbInterface.exe | System Tray access to Cobian Backup 9 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program using the default settings as service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP/Vista). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup installation option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| Cobian Backup Amanita | U | Cobian.exe | Cobian Backup 9 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program as a startup application rather than the default service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP/Vista). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| Cobian Backup Black Moon | U | cbInterface.exe | System Tray access to Cobian Backup 8 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program using the default settings as service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP/Vista). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup installation option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| Cobian Backup Black Moon | U | Cobian.exe | Cobian Backup 8 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program as a startup application rather than the default service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP/Vista). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| Cobian Backup Boletus | U | Cobian.exe | Cobian Backup 10 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program as a startup application rather than the default service on an NT based OS (XP/Vista/7). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| Cobian Backup Interface 6 | U | cobui.exe | System Tray access to Cobian Backup 6 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program using the default settings as service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup installation option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| cobui | U | cobui.exe | System Tray access to Cobian Backup versions 6 and 7 - a multi-threaded backup program which makes backup copies of your file and folders (in compressed or uncompressed form) to another location. This entry appears if you choose to install the program using the default settings as service on an NT based OS (NT/2K/XP). If you don't have regularly scheduled backups then choose the startup installation option and run it manually when required | Yes |
| codecdirectx.exe | X | codecdirectx.exe | Added by the BANLOA-AZY TROJAN! | No |
| CodeClean | X | CCIntro.exe | CodeClean rogue security software - not recommended | No |
| Codename Dashboard | U | dashboard.exe | Codename: Dashboard - "an application that resides at the side of your screen. Built on the Microsoft .NET Framework, it is a host for interchangeable components through which C.D. allows you to have any information you want, on your desktop, all the time" | No |
| COEMsgDisplay | ? | COEMsgDisplay.exe | Part of HP's PC Common Operating Environment (PC COE) project. Located in %ProgramFiles%\Hewlett-Packard\PC COE. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| cof.updit | X | [random filename] | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| CognizanceTS | U | rundll32.exe [path] AsTsVcc.dll, RegisterModule | Cognizance Corp Identity And Access Management suite
| No |
| Coldlife -icmp | X | Systray.exe | Added by the FLOOD.AV TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate systray.exe process | No |
| CollaborationHost | N | p2phost.exe | Signs a user into the People Near Me feature at login in Windows 7 and Vista. People Near Me enables you to use certain peer-to-peer (P2P) programs on a network - that "identifies people nearby who are using computers and allows those people to send you invitations for programs such as Windows Meeting Space. They can only invite you to participate in programs that are installed on your computer." Available via Start → Control Panel | Yes |
| coloreal | U | coloreal.exe | Makes colours sharper and brighter, but will only work with coloreal capable monitors | No |
| Colorific | N | Hgcctl95.exe | Colorific® from E-Color - "delivers accurate gamma and color temperature across your entire system - monitor to printer and digital camera to monitor." Now superseded by ColorWizzard™ | No |
| Colorific Control Panel | N | Hgcctl95.exe | Colorific® from E-Color - "delivers accurate gamma and color temperature across your entire system - monitor to printer and digital camera to monitor." Now superseded by ColorWizzard™ | No |
| COM Service | X | mscom32.com | Added by the BEASTY.H TROJAN! | No |
| COM Service | X | msynvr.com | Added by the BEASTY.G TROJAN! | No |
| COM Service | X | msjclh.com | Added by the BEASTY.E TROJAN! | No |
| COM Service | X | msdrce.com | Added by the BEASTY.I TROJAN! | No |
| COM Service | X | msflyx.com | Added by the BEASTDO-O TROJAN! | No |
| COM Service | X | mskwda.com | Added by the AGENT-JIX TROJAN! | No |
| COM+ Event System | X | DRWTSN16.EXE | Added by the LOVGATE.AB WORM! | No |
| COM+ EventSystem Services | X | ECSERVER.EXE | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| Com+ Sys | X | csrs.exe | Added by the FORBOT-BT WORM!
| No |
| COM+ System Application | X | lsas.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-MO WORM! | No |
| COM+ System Applications | X | lsas.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.SE WORM! | No |
| COM++ System | X | exploier.exe | Added by the LOVGATE.Z WORM! | No |
| COM++ System | X | suchost.exe | Added by the LOVGATE-F WORM! | No |
| COM++ System | X | svchost.exe... | Added by a variant of the LOVGATE WORM! | No |
| COM-IP | N | COMIP.EXE | COM-IP Virtual Modem Driver (COM-IP Creates a Fake Serial Port that allows you to use older DOS Based Communications Programs over Telnet. Type atdt host.domain.com instead of atdt 5551212) | No |
| com.codeode.cactusspamfilter | U | cactusspamfilter.exe | Cactus Spam - free easy-to-use spam blocker | No |
| com.codeode.privacymantra | U | privacymantra.exe | "Privacy Mantra keeps your computer clean from online and offline tracks" | No |
| ComAgent | U | ComAgent.exe | ComAgent - MDaemon's instant messaging client | No |
| combo.exe | X | combo.exe | Added by the CHIMO-C TROJAN! | No |
| combop.exe | X | combop.exe | Added by the BOWFEED-A TROJAN! | No |
| Comcast Network | X | ribiva.exe | Added by a variant of the IRC TROJAN! | No |
| ComcastSUPPORT | X | tgkill.exe | Comcast (the cable folks who are replacing @home in some parts of the USA) have struck a deal with Tioga to provide an "enhanced" support and self-repairing tool. This is "beta" at present and was made available to download by mistake at present. Remove via Start -> Settings -> Add/Remove Programs | No |
| COMCFG | X | comcfg.exe | Added by the TOADCOM.A TROJAN! | No |
| comctl32 | X | comctl32.exe | Adware - detected by Kaspersky as the AGENT.AM TROJAN! | No |
| COMDRV32 | U | svdhost.exe | Orvell Monitoring 2003 surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself. Note - asks for permission to contact the IP address of http://www.protectcom.com/ | No |
| Comm Driver | U | commh32.exe | G Data "PC Spion". PC monitoring and surveilling software, captures all users activity on the PC, see here. Disable/remove if you didn't install it yourself! | No |
| Command | X | system.exe | Added by the GATECRASH.A or GATECRASH.B TROJANS!
| No |
|
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