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? |
|---|
| Configuration Services | X | mswords.exe | Added by the SDBOT-YM WORM! | No |
| Configuration Update | X | UPDT32V2.EXE | Added by the SPYBOT-AA BACKDOOR! | No |
| Configuration update | X | UPDT32V4.EXE | Added by the SPYBOT-AM BACKDOOR! | No |
| Configuration Utility | N | CONFIG.EXE | Controls linksys wireless connection. Available from the Desktop | No |
| Configuration Utility | U | wlanutil.exe | NetGear Wireless LAN configuration utility for the MA311 802.11b (and maybe other cards) | No |
| Configuration Wizard | X | Cfgwiz32.exe | Added by a variant of the HACKTACK TROJAN! Not to be confused with the legitimate MS "ISDN Configuration Wizard" (Cfgwiz32.exe) | No |
| Configuration32 Loader32 | X | winamp32.exe | Added by the SDBOT-BIC WORM! | No |
| Configurations Asclt | X | asclt.exe | Added by the SDBOT-MX WORM! | No |
| CONFIGUREv | X | antivir62.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-ZD BACKDOOR! | No |
| ConfigUtility | U | ConfigUtility.exe | Wireless management utility for the HWC54G Hi-Speed Wireless-G CardBus Card from Hawking Technologies, Inc | No |
| ConfigVir | X | services.exe | Added by the AUTORUN-DV WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a ~A~m~B~u~R~a~D~u~L~ subfolder | No |
| ConfLoader | X | sysconf16.exe | Added by the SDBOT-FB TROJAN! | No |
| conime.exe | X | conime.exe | Added by the AVENDOG WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Console IME process of the same filename which is located in %System% | No |
| Conmgr | N | conmgr.exe | Starts Winfax pro at startup | No |
| ConMgr.exe | U | conmgr.exe | Connection Manager as used by Earthlink and others. If you need this to ensure a proper connection but don't want to connect at startup try creating your own shortcut | No |
| conmswf | X | conrnbne.exe | Added by the SDBOT-DEX WORM! | No |
| Connect Kasamba | U | Kasamba.exe | "Finding the expert help that you need is easy on Kasamba. With more than 30,000 registered experts in over 600 categories to choose from, chances are, we`ll have just the right professional in the exact area of expertise that you need" | No |
| Connect2Party | X | connect2party.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| CONNECTAuto Update | N | CONNECTScheduler.exe | Automatic update scheduler for the Sony CONNECT Player originally supplied with their range of USB or hard disk based MP3 players and used in conjunction with the CONNECT Music store download service - now replaced by SonicStage CP | Yes |
| CONNECTAUTrayApp | N | CONNECTAUTrayApp.exe | System Tray access to change update settings for the Sony CONNECT Player originally supplied with their range of USB or hard disk based MP3 players and used in conjunction with the CONNECT Music store download service - now replaced by SonicStage CP | Yes |
| Connection Keeper | U | ConKeepM.exe | "Connection Keeper is an invaluable time-saving tool for dial-up users. This free program simulates Internet browsing (at a random interval) to prevent your connection from appearing idle, thus preventing your ISP from dropping your connection due to inactivity" | No |
| Connection Manager | N | CManager.exe | SBC Yahoo DSL service connection manager. You can connect from the network connections. Users having problems with this have been advised to uninstall the connection manager via Add/Remove Programs and it won't affect the service | No |
| Connectivity Tool | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the LITEBOT-E TROJAN! | No |
| Connector | X | SYS.EXE | Nunci premium rate dialer | No |
| Connector | X | sms.EXE | Added by the ExDial-B premium rate adult content dialer | No |
| CONNECTScheduler | N | CONNECTScheduler.exe | Automatic update scheduler for the Sony CONNECT Player originally supplied with their range of USB or hard disk based MP3 players and used in conjunction with the CONNECT Music store download service - now replaced by SonicStage CP | Yes |
| Cons | X | consol32.exe | Hijacker - redirects to an adult content portal, where foistware like ISTBar gets stealth installed | No |
| conscorr | X | conscorr.exe | VX2.Transponder parasite updater/installer related | No |
| Console de Gerenciamento Microsoft | X | csrss.exe | Unidentified malware! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a "Level4" subfolder | No |
| Console de Gerenciamento Microsoft | X | csrss.exe | Added by the BANCBAN-ET TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a "Central de Segurança" subfolder | No |
| Consumer Input | U | ConsumerInput.exe | Consumer Input Toolbar. Opt-in market research monitoring you browsing habits - see the FAQ | No |
| Consumer Input Rewarded with MyPoints, Consumer Input | U | ConsumerInputRewardedwithMyPoints, ConsumerInput.exe | Consumer Input Toolbar. Opt-in market research monitoring you browsing habits - see the FAQ | No |
| Consumer Input Rewarded with MyPoints, Consumer Input Update | U | ConsumerInputRewardedwithMyPoints, ConsumerInputUa.exe | Consumer Input Toolbar. Opt-in market research monitoring you browsing habits - see the FAQ | No |
| Contacte | ? | contacte.exe | Some kind of driver? | No |
| Content connector | X | [random filename].exe | Added by the DIALER-Y TROJAN! Note - uses a random filename and random folders. Usually the folder containing the file is a Temp folder | No |
| Content List Management Subsystem | X | clmss.exe | Added by the SPYBOT-EL WORM! | No |
| Content Service | X | winserv[LETTER].exe | PurityScan adware | No |
| ContentDownload | X | rundll32.exe MSA64CHK.dll,DllMostrar | MatrixDialer/Mostrar parasite. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The "MSA64CHK.dll" file is located in %System% | No |
| ContentEraser | X | GDC.exe | ContentEraser rogue privacy tool - not recommended, removal instructions here. A member of the PCPrivacyTool family | No |
| ContentService | X | winservn.exe | PurityScan adware - see here | No |
| ContentTransferWMDetector.exe | U | ContentTransferWMDetector.exe | Part of Sony's Content Transfer Software which "provides an easy way to transfer music, video, photos, and podcasts to the Walkman® player | No |
| ContinueInstall | X | bpsinstall.exe | BrowserAid/BrowserPal foistware | No |
| Contraviro | X | Contraviro.exe | Contraviro rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| ContraVirus | X | ContraVirusPro.exe | ContraVirus rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| ContraVirus | X | ContraVirus.exe | ContraVirus rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| Control | X | rundll32.exe ctrlpan.dll, Restore ControlPanel | CoolWebSearch Msconfd parasite variant | No |
| Control Center | U | Center.exe | Associated with Hawking Technologies, Inc wireless products. Located in %Program Files%\Hawking\WLAN Card Utilities | No |
| Control handler | X | ***********.exe [* = random char] | CoolWebSearch parasite variant | No |
| Control handler | X | ahjinst.exe | CoolWebSearch parasite variant | No |
| Control handler | X | [10 to 14 random char]THD.EXE | Added by the KREPPER-AI TROJAN! | 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