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? |
|---|
| DesktopUpdate | X | rundll32.exe MSA64CHK.dll, DllMostrar | MatrixDialer related. 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 the Winnt or Windows folder | No |
| DesktopX | U | DESKTOPX.EXE | A program that replaces the regular Desktop and Taskbar, and can be changed to the user's liking | No |
| deskup | N | deskup.exe | Adds Iomega Zip drive icons to the desktop | No |
| desp2k | U | desp2k.exe | Part of the Turbo Analyzer tool from LightComm Brazil Telecom that analyzes and corrects ADSL configurtations | No |
| destroyb11 | X | destroyb11.exe | Added by the DELF-KO TROJAN! | No |
| detect | U | idetect.exe | iNTERNET Turbo from Clasys Ltd. "It accelerates any Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP internet connection in seconds". If you find it helps your connectivity leave it enabled | No |
| detect | ? | turbodetect.exe | ?? | No |
| Detector | N | detector.exe | USB port detector for LG scanners. Sits in the System Tray, and when it detects the scanner through the USB port, you can run the scanner software from the tray. It is not required at all, since you can use the scan software from almost any photo editing software | No |
| DetectorApp | U | DetectorApp.exe | Related to Roxio MyDVD (was Sonic) DVD authoring software | No |
| DevconDefaultDB | ? | READREG | Appears to be related to older Creative Soundblaster soundcards | No |
| Development Environment | X | devenv.exe | Added by the DELBOT-AH WORM! | No |
| DEventAgent | U | eventagt.exe | DEvent Agent Module client - part of Dell OpenManage and used for server management. Only required if you use this | No |
| devenv | X | smvss.exe | Added by the DEDLER-G TROJAN! | No |
| Device Configuration Loader | X | msdvc32.exe | Added by a variant of the AGOBOT/GAOBOT WORM!
| No |
| Device Detector | U | DevDetect.exe | ACDSee Auto Device Detector detects when a device is connected to your PC and gives you the option to acquire images from it automatically | No |
| Device Detector 2 | N | DevDtct2.exe | Installed by various Olympus products, this program detects the active connection of a speech device (voice recorder, etc) to a USB port then runs specific client software used to access that device. The DevDtct2 process has a "high" priority level which can negatively impact system resources | No |
| Device Hardware | X | devicehnd.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here | No |
| Device IO System | X | deviceio.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here | No |
| Device Management | X | wnsystem.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-LH WORM! | No |
| Device Manager | X | wfxmgr.exe | Added by the RBOT.AJU WORM! | No |
| Device Security | X | dvcsecure.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here | No |
| Device Security Driver | X | devicesec.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here | No |
| Device Security Manager | X | dvcsecure.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here | No |
| DeviceDiscovery | U | hpotdd01.exe | Detection of new imaging, printing and other peripherals on HP machines such as USB printers, cameras and Bluetooth products | No |
| DevicePath | X | Proyecto1.exe | Added by the GRUEL WORM! | No |
| DevicePath | X | Root.exe | Added by the GRUEL WORM! | No |
| Devices | U | olesvr.exe | Salfeld Child Control - parental control software | No |
| Devicewin | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the BANKER-AEV TROJAN! | No |
| devldr16 | U | devldr16.exe | Associated with some Creative Labs sound cards. Provides audio support for DOS applications. Not needed if you don't have those. Required if you use "Sound Play Control" and "Sound Recorder". To disable: (1) Disable via MSCONFIG (2) Start → Settings → Control Panel → System → Device Manager then disable "Creative SB16 Emulation" under Creative Miscellaneous Devices | No |
| devldr16.exe | U | devldr16.exe | Associated with some Creative Labs sound cards. Provides audio support for DOS applications. Not needed if you don't have those. Required if you use "Sound Play Control" and "Sound Recorder". To disable: (1) Disable via MSCONFIG (2) Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager then disable "Creative SB16 Emulation" under Creative Miscellaneous Devices | No |
| Devlog | ? | devlog.exe | Apparently mainboard/chipset related, by a French company called AS Media - what exactly is it, and is it required | No |
| dfgfdgrergd | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the RANKY.CK TROJAN! | No |
| DGJM | ? | DGJM.exe | ?? | No |
| dgtstart | X | dgtstart.exe | DigitalNames.g adware | No |
| dguard | U | dguard.exe | eAcceleration Stop-Sign security software related. Previously not recommended, see here | No |
| DHCP | X | smss.exe | Added by the WINSPY.AG TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate smss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%\display | No |
| DHCP Server | X | regsvr.exe | Added by the RBOT-PR WORM! | No |
| DHCP32 | X | services.exe | Added by the WINSPY.AG TROJAN! 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 %Windir%\display | No |
| dhcpagnt | Y | dhcpagnt.exe | Intel DSL modem driver - leave enabled or you'll have to re-install the drivers | No |
| DHNUXB | ? | DHNUXB.exe | ?? | No |
| DI2 | X | [path to file] | BroadcastPC adware | No |
| diagent | N | diagent.exe | System Tray access for Creative Diagnostics for the Creative SoundBlaster series soundcards. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Diagnostic | X | diagnostic.exe | Added by the ALPHA-C TROJAN! | No |
| Dial22 | X | dlm.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| Dial33 | X | dlm.exe | Adult content dialler | No |
| Dialer | X | rundll32.exe msa32chk.dll | Unidentfied malware | No |
| Dialer Control | U | dc.exe | Dialer-Control. Detects and protects from premium rate adult content diallers | No |
| Dialer Detect | U | dd.exe | DialerDetect detects stealth installed premium rate diallers, and sounds the alarm when such a connection is being installed without you knowing it
| No |
| Dialgo SDK | U | PhoneAnswer.exe | Dialgo Wave Modem ActiveX - "Telephone Answering Machine for scripting your own professional call center business scripts using a voice modem. Features Caller-ID, Wave Playback, Wave Recording, Digit Monitoring, POP3 e-mail Manipulation, Speech Recognition and Synthesis" | No |
| DialNet | X | mxt32.exe | Adult content dialler | 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