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? |
|---|
| ctf.exe | X | ctf.exe | Added by a variant of the BIFROSE TROJAN! | No |
| ctflog manager | X | ctflog.exe | Added by the DONBOMB.A TROJAN! | No |
| CTFM0N.exe | X | CTFM0N.exe | Added by the STARTPAGE.P TROJAN! Notice the digit "0" in both columns rather than the upper case "o" | No |
| ctfmen | X | cssrs.exe | Added by the STARTP-DC TROJAN! | No |
| ctfmgr | X | ctfmgr.exe | Added by the PWS-ATU TROJAN! | No |
| ctfmom | X | ctfnom.exe | Added by the BCKDR-QTA BACKDOOR! | No |
| ctfmon | U | ctfmon.exe | Supports multiple languages and alternative method inputs in Windows and MS Office. The language bar is displayed alongside the System Tray if more than one keyboard layout is enabled (for switching input languages) or, for example, if speech is selected as an alternative input for MS Office or Notepad. Required to support advanced text services (such as right to left text) for East Asian users. Can be disabled via Start → Control Panel → Regional and Language Options → Languages → Text Services and Input Languages → Details → Advanced → System Configuration → Turn off advanced text services (which also turns off the language bar). See also here and here. Can also cause problems with some other programs if left enabled - see here for such an example | Yes |
| ctfmon | X | taskmgr32*.exe [* = number] | Added by the SOWSAT.B WORM! | No |
| ctfmon | X | cftmon.exe | Added by the DELIVE-A BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate ctfmon.exe process associated with alternate text inputs which is always located in %System%. This one is located in %Windir% | No |
| ctfmon | X | mIRC.dll | Added by the DELBOT-E TROJAN! | No |
| ctfmon | X | WinConst.exe | Added by the ASSASIN-G TROJAN! | No |
| CTFMon | U | ctfmon.exe | Family KeyLogger keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! Note - this is not the legitimate ctfmon.exe process associated with alternate text inputs which is always located in %System%. This one is located in a "CTF" sub-folder | No |
| ctfmon | X | msnmsgr.exe | Added by the BDOOR-JV BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the valid MSN Messenger (now Windows Live Messenger) utility which is located in either %ProgramFiles%\MSN Messenger or %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Messenger. This one is located in %System% | No |
| CTFMON | X | wscript.exe /E:vbs winjpg.jpg | Added by the RUNAUTO.F WORM! Note that wscript.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch script files and shouldn't be deleted. The "winjpg.jpg" file is located in %System% | No |
| CTFMON | X | wscript.exe /E:vbs regedit.sys | Added by the VBSAUTO-A WORM! Note that wscript.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch script files and shouldn't be deleted. The "regedit.sys" file is located in %System% | No |
| CTFMON | X | win.exe | Added by the VBS.RUNAUTO.G WORM! | No |
| Ctfmon | X | wmisys.exe | Added by the IRCBOT-ADS WORM! | No |
| ctfmon | X | WinUP.exe | Added by the BANKER-VV TROJAN! | No |
| ctfmon | X | ctfmon.exe | Added by the AUTORUN-G WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate ctfmon.exe process associated with alternate language and method inputs which is always located in %System%. This one is located in a "1046" sub-folder | No |
| CTFMON.CPL | X | CTFM0N.CMD | Detected by Symantec as the SILLYFDC WORM! See here | No |
| Ctfmon.exe | X | ctfmon32.exe | CoolWebSearch Ctfmon32 parasite variant | No |
| ctfmon.exe | X | ctfmon.exe | Added by the RAIDYS TROJAN! Note - this overwrites the legitimate ctfmon.exe process associated with alternate text inputs which is located in %System% | No |
| ctfmon.exe | X | msupdate32.exe | Spy Sheriff/SpywareNO malware, also detected as the SPYHOAX-A TROJAN, pretends to be a spyware remover! - file names spotted sofar include VXH8JKDQ2.EXE, NS6281400.so, CVXH8JKDQ2.EXE, down3.exe, sefe.exe, winstall.exe, and tool2.exe | No |
| ctfmon.exe | U | ctfmon.exe | Supports multiple languages and alternative method inputs in Windows and MS Office. The language bar is displayed alongside the System Tray if more than one keyboard layout is enabled (for switching input languages) or, for example, if speech is selected as an alternative input for MS Office or Notepad. Required to support advanced text services (such as right to left text) for East Asian users. Can be disabled via Start → Control Panel → Regional and Language Options → Languages → Text Services and Input Languages → Details → Advanced → System Configuration → Turn off advanced text services (which also turns off the language bar). See also here and here. Can also cause problems with some other programs if left enabled - see here for such an example | Yes |
| ctfmon.exe | X | ctfmon.exe eminem.exe | Added by the BHARAT.A WORM! | No |
| CTFMON.EXE | X | svchost.exe | Added by the JUEGO-B WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate svchost.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir% | No |
| CTFMON32 | X | CTFMON32.EXE | CoolWebSearch Ctfmon32 parasite variant - also detected as the CWS-E TROJAN! | No |
| ctfmon32 | X | [random filename].exe | Added by the RBOT-GSN WORM! | No |
| ctfmon32 | X | taskmgr32*.exe [* = digit] | Added by the SOWSAT.C WORM! | No |
| ctfmona | X | ctfmona.exe | Added by the DLOADR-BME TROJAN! | No |
| CTFMONSS | X | CTFMONSS.EXE | Added by the CWS-F TROJAN! | No |
| ctfmoon | X | microsoftconfigurator.exe | Added by the DELF-ALS TROJAN! | No |
| ctfmun | X | ctfmun.exe | Added by the AGENT.ACEZ TROJAN! | No |
| ctfnnon | X | ctfmon.exe | Added by the TURKOJAN.IL BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate ctfmon.exe process associated with alternate text inputs which is always located in %System%. This one is located in %Windir% | No |
| ctfnom | X | rundIl32.exe | Added by the LEGMIR-AW TROJAN! | No |
| ctfnom.exe | X | SVOHOST.exe | Added by the DIGIDOR-A TROJAN! | No |
| ctfnom.exe | X | OSRSS.exe | Added by the DLOADER-UQ TROJAN! | No |
| cthelp | X | cthelp.exe | Added by the SDBOT TROJAN! | No |
| CTHELPER | U | CTHELPER.EXE | CTHELPER is a background task that is a plug-in manager for Creative drivers. The theory is that 3rd party manufacturers can use the CTHELPER plug-in interface to produce drivers, add-on features, and fixes that will integrate with a tighter fit with Creative's sound drivers and utilities. Given its purpose CTHELPER would normally be classified as a "leave alone" background task. It also allows Creative speaker setup to be synchronized with Windows Control Panel speaker setting. Without it running that check box in Creative speaker setting is not functional (settings are not in sync). Unfortunately there are often problems with CTHELPER, most notably that it can use 100% of CPU time so it's best left disabled unless you need it | No |
| CTHelper | X | cthelper.exe | Added by the RBOT-XB WORM! Note - do not confuse with the Creative application of the same name described here | No |
| CTHELPER | X | svhost.exe | Added by the SDBOT-RZ WORM! | No |
| CTime | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the HTTPDOS TROJAN! | No |
| CTin10 | X | CTin10.exe | Added by the BANCOS.E TROJAN! | No |
| CtModule | X | CtModule.exe | Added by the CLICKER-EG TROJAN! | No |
| CTMON.EXE | X | cfmon.exe | Added by the CLCKR-AN TROJAN! | No |
| CTNMRUN | U | ctnmrun.exe | Detects the Creative NOMAD jukebox/MP3 player at the time it is attached to USB and starts the needed application (Creative PlayCentre 2) that you use to copy MP3 files to and from it. This is required if you want PlayCentre 2 to take control of the NOMAD once connected | No |
| CTPDPSRV | ? | CTPDPSRV.EXE | Compaq A3000 printer driver (in the %System%\spool\DRIVERS\W32\X86 folder). Is it required? | No |
| CTPerformanceUtility | N | CTPowUti.exe | Related to Creative PowerSysTrayApp. This program is a non-essential process, but should not be terminated unless suspected to be causing problems | No |
| ctpmon | X | ctpmon.exe | Registry Cleaner rogue - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| CTRegRun | N | CTRegRun.exe | For Creative Soundblaster Live! series soundcards. Reminds you to register your card with Creative | 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