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? |
|---|
| Dialog Box Assistant | N | OSDEx.exe | Dialog Box Assistant from Duality Software. Helps with the standard Open and Save As dialog boxes by showing recently used files and folders | No |
| Dialog Helper | N | PDDLGHLP.EXE | Dialog Helper from PowerDesk Pro by Ontrack. Helps with the standard Open and Save As dialog boxes by showing recently used files and folders. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| DialUp Network Application | X | Rnaap.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| Diam prlaer | X | oqedrhg.exe | Added by the SDBOT-DEU WORM! | No |
| Diamondview | ? | Diamondview.exe | Manulife Financial Insurance program. Is it required at startup? | No |
| DIECOX | X | csrss.exe | Added by a variant of the ATM.GEN TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| Diesel | X | Recalculate.exe | Added by the LAZAR TROJAN! | No |
| DietK | U | DietK.exe | Diet Kazaa add-on for Kazaa Media Desktop - "removes all adware and popups, built in Download Accelerator, makes searches faster and helps produce more results" | No |
| DigiCell | U | DigiCell.exe | MSI DigiCell - "the most useful and powerful utility that MSI has spent much research and efforts to develop, helps users to monitor and configure all the integrated peripherals of the system, such as audio program, power management, MP3 files management and communication / 802.11g WLAN settings. Moreover, with this unique utility, you will be able to activate the MSI well-known features, Live Update and Core Center" | No |
| DigiD | X | DigitalSound.exe | Adware downloader
| No |
| DigiGuide | N | CLIENT.EXE | TV guide and reminder | No |
| DigiGuide | N | client01.exe | TV guide and reminder | No |
| Digisoft AntiDialer | U | AntiDialer.exe | Digisoft AntiDialer | No |
| DigiSrv | U | DigiSrv.exe | Related to camera software from DigitalDreams | No |
| Digital Dashboard | N | devgulp.exe | For Compaq PC's. Loads Digital Dashboard options | No |
| Digital Line Detect | N | DLG.exe | Detects whether your are plugged into a digital telephone line and displays the information graphically. Installed by Dell (and maybe others) and is included with all Connexant V.92 and Broadcom modems | No |
| Digital Patrol Update 5 | Y | update.exe | Digital Patrol - "a powerful anti trojan scanner, which detects and eliminates more than 180'000 Trojan Horses and Spywares. Digital Patrol detects viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, malicious ActiveX controls and Java applets" | No |
| Digital River eBot | N | downlo~1.exe | Digital River Systems EBOT for downloading software from their site. In some cases, if you purchase software online for a download from a software manufacturer, you will be sent to this online company's site for the download after the purchase is complete. Read more here | No |
| DigitalNames | X | DigitalNamesStart.exe | DigitalNames spyware variant | No |
| DigitalWizard | N | ISWizard.exe | InstallShield's DigitalWizard - free, complete Digital Content Management Solution that makes it easy to experience digital content | No |
| DigitalWizard Monitor | N | dwMon.exe | InstallShield's DigitalWizard - free, complete Digital Content Management Solution that makes it easy to experience digital content | No |
| DIGServices | U | DIGServices | Created by Disney but licensed to ESPN for watching videos | No |
| DIGServices | N | DIGServices.exe | Created by Disney but licensed to ESPN for watching videos | No |
| DIGStream | N | digstream.exe | DIGStream Cache Manager - part of ESPN Motion and Disney Motion that periodically check for new videos and indication they're available in the System Tray. Starting ESPN Motion/Disney Motion starts digstream automatically | No |
| Dimension | U | Dimension.exe | Dimension - a program which lets you customize MSN messenger such as adding animated and coloured nicknames, personal toast creator, war tools (login flooder), and allows viewing and interacting with the raw MSN protocol | No |
| Dimension4 | U | d4.exe | Dimension 4 - network time synchronization freeware - starts-up, adjusts the system clock, then shuts down | No |
| Dino3 | X | dino3.exe | Related to Jurassic Park III and enables a dinosaur to walk across the screen. Also generates adverts and classified as adware as a result | No |
| Dinst | X | dinst.exe | IMIServer/IEPlugin adware | No |
| Dir1 | X | caKe | Added by the CAKE WORM! | No |
| Direct settings | X | sdchost.exe | Added by the DAEMONI-I TROJAN! | No |
| Direct Update | U | DUControl.exe | DirectUpdate dynamic DNS updater | No |
| Direct X Direct3D | X | dxd3d.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM!
| No |
| Direct X Opengl | X | dxopengl.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT-CJ WORM!
| No |
| direct3d.exe | X | direct3d.exe | Added by the CERTIF-F TROJAN! | No |
| DirectCD | N | DirectCD.exe | DirectCD primarily allows you to drag and drop files onto a suitably formatted CD-RW disc. Unless you use this on a frequent basis it isn't required and is available via Start -> Programs. Start the program before inserting a DirectCD formatted CD-RW in the drive. A re-boot is recommended if you close Adaptec DirectCD before re-opening it again later | No |
| Directory Opus Desktop Dblclk | Y | dopusrt.exe | Directory Opus - an advanced file manager. "Directory Opus goes beyond the simple file manager metaphor, and offers you a complete replacement for Windows Explorer and many other utility programs for handling FTP, ZIP, viewing files and images, running slideshows and more" | No |
| directs.exe | X | directs.exe | Added by the BEAGLE.O or BEAGLE.R or BEAGLE.S or BEAGLE.T WORMS! | No |
| DIRECTVDSL | U | Directvdsl.exe | Starts DirectTV DSL modem at boot up. Can also be started manually | No |
| DirectX | X | ddhelp32.exe | Added by the BIONET.318 TROJAN! Note - not the DirectX helper which is ddhelp.exe | No |
| directx | X | Directx.exe | Added by the SDBOT.D TROJAN! | No |
| directx | X | Sqlexploit.exe | Added by the SDBOT.D TROJAN! | No |
| DirectX | X | DirectX.exe | Added by the BLAXE or LOGPOLE WORMS! | No |
| directx | X | NTCmd.exe | Added by the SDBOT.D TROJAN! | No |
| directx | X | PipeCmd.exe | Added by the SDBOT.D TROJAN! | No |
| DirectX 32 | X | directx32.exe | Added by a variant of the AGOBOT/GAOBOT WORM! | No |
| DirectX Driver | X | stdhost.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! See here | No |
| DirectX Driver | X | stdhost.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here | No |
| DirectX For Microsoft Windows | X | dtxservice.exe | Added by the PROGENT TROJAN! | No |
| DirectX for Microsoft Windows | X | Fservice.exe | Added by the PRORAT TROJAN! | No |
| DirectX for Microsoft Windows | X | Sservice.exe | Added by the PRORAT TROJAN! | No |
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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