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? |
|---|
| Debugger | X | explorer32dbg.exe | Added by the CWS-M TROJAN! | No |
| Debugger | X | iexplore_dbg.exe | Added by the CWS-M TROJAN! | No |
| debugger | X | help.pif | Added by the DELF-DRA WORM! | No |
| DebugMonitor | X | debugmonitor.exe | Added by the MYDOOM.BG WORM! | No |
| DeeEnEs | U | DeeEnEs.exe | DeeEnEs - automatically updates a dynamic IP address when it changes | No |
| deejay | X | forboo.exe | Added by the FORBOT-AY WORM! | No |
| Deewoo | X | ncntnkwd.exe | Identified as a variant of the AdWare.Win32.ZenoSearch.am malware | No |
| Default | X | explore.vbs | Added by the ALLEM WORM! | No |
| Default | X | mtask.vbe | Added by the ALLEM WORM! | No |
| default | X | shell32.exe | Added by the BINGHE TROJAN! | No |
| Default | X | _default.pif | Added by the RUBBLE-C WORM! | No |
| default | U | mskbw.exe | PC Surveillance PRO surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| Default System Research | X | vhchost.exe | Added by the TARNO.I TROJAN! | No |
| Default web browser | X | IexpIore.exe | Added by the OBLIVION.B TROJAN! Note - do not confuse "IexpIore.exe" with "iexplore.exe" (Internet Explorer), the first has a captial "i" in place of lower case "L" | No |
| DefaultConfiguration | X | defaultconfh.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-JC WORM! | No |
| Default_Page_URL | X | http://find.naupoint.com | Naupoint browser hijacker | No |
| Default_Search_URL | X | http://find.naupoint.com | Naupoint browser hijacker | No |
| defender | X | defender25.exe | DollarRevenue adware | No |
| defender | X | dfndref_7.exe | DollarRevenue adware | No |
| DefensaAntiMalware | X | pgs.exe | DefensaAntiMalware, Spanish rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family | No |
| DefenseNetSurfage | X | GDC.exe | DefenseNetSurfage rogue privacy tool - not recommended. A member of the PCPrivacyTool family | No |
| defergui | ? | defergui.exe | Related to IBM Standard Software Installer. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| defragm_check | X | defragment.exe | CoolWebSearch parasite variant | No |
| defragsys | X | svchost.exe | Added by the BIFROSE-TH TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate svchost.exe process which should normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| DefragTaskBar | U | defragTaskBar.exe | System Tray access to Ashampoo® Magical Defrag 2 from Ashampoo GmbH & Co. KG - which "works is similar to a screensaver. Whenever the computer is idle the program cuts in automatically and starts cleaning up your hard disk" | Yes |
| defragTaskBar.exe | U | defragTaskBar.exe | System Tray access to Ashampoo® Magical Defrag 2 from Ashampoo GmbH & Co. KG - which "works is similar to a screensaver. Whenever the computer is idle the program cuts in automatically and starts cleaning up your hard disk" | Yes |
| defwatch | U | defwatch.exe | Detects out-of-date virus definitions for Norton Anti-Virus Corporate Edition and runs the Defwatch Wizard. Only required if you don't update the virus definitions manually on a regular basis | No |
| Deko550 | U | Deko550.exe | Associated with the Deko550 entry-level SD real-time graphics system from Avid Technology | No |
| Delay | U | delayrun.exe | On HP PCs this program is used to help prevent conflicts or timing issues on fast computers | No |
| DelayLoad | X | msprint.exe | Added by a variant of the Win32.Agent.ryo malware - see here | No |
| Delayrun | U | delayrun.exe | On HP PCs this program is used to help prevent conflicts or timing issues on fast computers | No |
| DelayShred | N | ShrCL.EXE | McAfee Delay Shreder - not required at startup. You can use QuickClean manually via McAfee Security Center and run it from there | No |
| delcab | ? | deltreew.exe C:\cabs | ?? | No |
| Delete Me | X | worm.exe | Added by the DOOMHUNTER WORM! | No |
| DeleteHistoryFree | U | dhf.exe | Delete History Free - "Privacy protection software for deleting Internet surfing and other computer activity tracks from your PC"
| No |
| Dell AIO Printer A920 | U | dlbkbmgr.exe | System Tray application for the Dell Photo AIO Printer 920 that enables scan or fax functions to run directly from the printer via the buttons | No |
| Dell AIO Printer A940 | U | dlbabmgr.exe | System Tray application for the Dell Photo AIO Printer 940 that enables scan or fax functions to run directly from the printer via the buttons | No |
| Dell AIO Printer A960 | U | dlbfbmgr.exe | System Tray application for the Dell Photo AIO Printer 960 that enables scan or fax functions to run directly from the printer via the buttons | No |
| Dell Alert | N | DAMon.exe | "Dell Alert" utility, that's supposed to make interaction with Support easier | No |
| Dell DataSafe Scheduler | U | DataSafeOnlineScheduler.exe | Scheduler for Dell DataSafe™ Online which "helps protect your music, photos and other important files by placing backup copies on a secure storage site using your internet connection" | No |
| Dell Photo AIO Printer 922 | U | dlbtbmgr.exe | System Tray application for the Dell Photo AIO Printer 922 that enables scan or fax functions to run directly from the printer via the buttons | No |
| Dell Photo AIO Printer 942 | U | dlbubmgr.exe | System Tray application for the Dell Photo AIO Printer 942 that enables scan or fax functions to run directly from the printer via the buttons | No |
| Dell Photo AIO Printer 962 | U | dlbxmon.exe | DellPhoto AIO Printer 962 Device Monitor | No |
| Dell QuickSet | N | quickset.exe | Dell taskbar icon allowing you to quickly change settings | No |
| Dell Webcam Central | Y | WebcamDell.exe | Dell Webcam Central - webcam management software controlling aspects such as picture control, anti-motion blur and face tracking | No |
| DELL Webcam Manager | N | DellWMgr.exe | Dell Webcam Manager - Webcam management software provided on Dell PCs | No |
| Dell Wireless Manager UI | N | wltray.exe | System tray access to wireless LAN card configuration options
| No |
| DellAutomatedPCTuneUp | Y | PTAgnt.exe | PC TuneUp from Dell - "silently monitors your system, automatically running needed maintenance during idle time to keep you at peak performance" | No |
| DellDMI | ? | delldmi.exe | Possibly part of Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation - software that allows remote management application programs to access information about, monitor the status of or change the state of the client computer, such as shutting it down remotely. Uses the DMI and/or common information model (CIM) protocols, which are systems management protocols defined by industry standards? | No |
| DELLMMKB | U | DELLMMKB.EXE | Multimedia keyboard control for Dell based PCs - only required if you use the multimedia keys | 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