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? |
|---|
| CreateCD50 | N | Createcd50.exe | Adaptec Easy CD Creator version 5 system tray application. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Creates stractures for system management | X | stacture.exe | Added by the SDBOT-DHS WORM! | No |
| Creative AGP Wizard | N | agpwiz.exe | Part of Creative's BlasterControl | No |
| Creative Audio Drivers | X | creative.exe | Added by the RBOT-FKR WORM! | No |
| Creative Detector | N | CTDetect.exe | Auto-detect and play a DVD when using a Creative Soundblaster Audigy2 soundcard. Uses about 2.2 MB of memory. Disable it by heading to the MediaSource DVD Audio Player, selecting Tools, then uncheck the Auto Start box. It should not start up automatically again | No |
| Creative Launcher | N | CTLauncher.exe | For Creative Soundblaster Live! series soundcards. Adds a quick-launch bar to the top of the display and a System Tray icon. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Creative Live! Cam Manager | U | CTLCMgr.exe | Creative Live! Cam Manager | No |
| Creative MediaSource Go | U | CTCMSGo.exe | Creative MediaSource Go! is a combination of a short-cut bar and launcher for the Creative MediaSource™ player/organizer - which "enables you to manage your entire digital music collection on both your computer and your Creative portable music player effortlessly" | No |
| Creative MediaSource Go | U | CTCMSGoU.exe | Creative MediaSource Go! is a combination of a short-cut bar and launcher for the Creative MediaSource™ player/organizer - which "enables you to manage your entire digital music collection on both your computer and your Creative portable music player effortlessly" | No |
| Creative PCI Audio Configuration Utility | N | starter.exe | System Tray icon to configure a Creative Soundblaster PCI soundcard. Not required and re-instates itself when un-checked. Try one of the solutions on this special page. Similar to EnsoniqMixer | No |
| Creative Service for CDROM Access | N | Ctsvccda.exe | Resident program for Creative's PlayCenter included with Soundblaster Audigy sound cards - speeds up detection of some media CDs if the system doesn't natively support them. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Creative Software Update | N | AutoUpdate.exe | Auto-updater for Creative Labs software | No |
| Creative WebCam Tray | N | Camtray.exe | Creative WebCam tray control - can be started manually
| No |
| Creative.exe | X | Creative.exe | Added by the PROLIN WORM! | No |
| CreativeDiscNotifier | N | CTNOTIFY.EXE | For Creative Soundblaster Live! series soundcards. Detects when you insert a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc. Available via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel | No |
| CreativeMixer | U | CTMIX32.EXE | Creative soundcard System Tray access to, for example, volume slider controls as normally provided by the "speaker" icon. Not required unless you adjust any settings otherwise available via the standard icon | No |
| CreativeTaskScheduler | ? | CTSched.exe | Creative Task Scheduler. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| Critical Error Safe32 | X | GetWaylayer32.exe | Added by the RBOT.IAL WORM! | No |
| Critical Update Check | X | battlenet.exe | Added by the DELF-LB TROJAN! | No |
| CriticalUpdate | N | Wucrtupd.exe | MS Windows Critical Update Notification. If you want to keep Windows up-to-date, check the Windows Update site | No |
| CriticalUpdate | X | wucrtupd.exe | Added by the NOALA.B WORM! Note - this file is located in the Windows or Winnt folder, and must not be confused with the legitimate Windows process of the same name as described here | No |
| crmssrlt | X | [random filename] | Added by a variant of the SLAPER TROJAN! | No |
| Crnsava | X | scrnsave.pif | Added by the SDBOT-ZV WORM! | No |
| cronos | X | MARCO!.SCR | Added by the OPASERV.G WORM! | No |
| CrossMenu | X | CrossMenu | Toshiba CrossMenu Utility - allows the user to create their own menus | No |
| CrossMenu | U | CrossMenu.exe | Toshiba CrossMenu Utility - allows the user to create their own menus | No |
| CRP386 Networking | X | crp386.exe | Added by the IRCBOT.N TROJAN! | No |
| crs | X | crs.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-TJ WORM! | No |
| CRSS | X | CRSS.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-RM WORM! | No |
| CRSS | X | lssas.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| crsss | X | crsss.exe | Added by the AUTORUN.FM WORM! | No |
| CRSSXP SysInfo | X | crssxp.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT TROJAN! | No |
| Crusty | X | dmcpl.exe | Added by the RUSTY WORM! | No |
| cryptdlg | X | cryptdlg.exe | Added by an unidentified TROJAN! | No |
| cryptoexpert | U | cexpert.exe | CryptoExpert from SecureAction Research. Advanced on the fly encryption system | No |
| Cryptographic Service | X | ******.exe [* = random char] | Added by the KORGO.W or KORGO.X or KORGO.AB WORMS! | No |
| Crystal 3D Audio Control | ? | CWD3DSND.EXE | Crystal 3D Audio sound driver. Is it required? | No |
| CS | X | tsc.exe | Cyber Security rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| CS Update | X | copy /Y [path] ActivationManager.dll.upd [path] ActivationManager.dll | Added by an unidentified malware | No |
| csaRem | N | spqmdmui.exe | Compaq modem country selection | No |
| CSAV_CheckViruses | Y | vchk.exe | Command Antivirus related | No |
| csc | U | csc.exe | Command line compiler for Microsoft C# it gets installed with the .NET SDK | No |
| cscripts | X | cscripts.exe | Added by the BDOOR-AAP BACKDOOR! | No |
| CSCRS Value | X | cscrs.exe | Added by the RBOT-AAA WORM! | No |
| CSCRS Value Check | X | MsPMSPSd.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| csecwiz | N | csecwiz.exe | Setup wizard for the Client Security Software for IBM\Lenovo notebooks. This entry only runs once, after the software has been installed and the notebook rebooted for the first time. If the wizard isn't completed a shortcut is available via the Start menu until it is | Yes |
| cserv32 | X | cserv32.exe | Added by the STRATION.EC WORM! | No |
| CSINJECT.EXE | U | CSINJECT.EXE | Part of Quarterdeck/Norton CleanSweep. "Csinject must be loaded in order for Smart Sweep to automatically monitor installations and properly track registry changes" | No |
| csm Win Updates | X | csm.exe | Added by the ZOTOB.B WORM! | No |
| CSNetManagerXp | X | isass.exe | Added by the HIDER-O TROJAN! | No |
|
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