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
|
|
| Name or Startup Item | Status | Command or Data | Description | Tested? |
|---|
| Disspy | U | disspy.exe | Disspy spyware detection and removal software | No |
| Dist-FBGeneve | X | GDC.exe | NettoyeurDePC French rogue privacy tool - not recommended. A member of the PCPrivacyTool family | No |
| Distiller Assistant 3.01 | N | DISTASST.EXE | From Adobe. Creates PDF universal files for Acrobat Reader. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Distributed File System | X | Dfsvc.exe | Added by the MYFIP.A or MYFIP.K WORMS! | No |
| Distributed File System | X | kernel32dll.exe | Added by the MYFIP-C or MYFIP.K WORMS! | No |
| Distributed File System | X | blade.exe | Added by the MYFIP.AC WORM! | No |
| Distributed File System | X | win.exe | Added by the MYFIP.AB WORM! | No |
| Distributed Link Tracking | X | ascvt.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-GH BACKDOOR! | No |
| distributed.net client | U | DNETC.EXE | Dsitributed computing projects client from Distributed.net where numerous computers are used to share a projects workload - similar to SETI@Home and Folding@Home. Also prone to being distributed by viruses | No |
| Dit | Y | dit.exe | "Drive Icon and Label Utility" - assigns drive icons and names to flash memory cards. Required, otherwise the drives aren't found | No |
| Dit | X | dit.exe | Added by the LAZAR-A TROJAN! Note - this is located in the System (9x/Me) or System32 (NT/2K/XP) folder | No |
| DiTask.exe | N | DiTask.exe | Associated with an Eicon Networks ISDN or ADSL modem. System Tray icon which shows you the status of your lines (free, occupied with incoming or outgoing call). Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| Divamon.exe | ? | Divamon.exe | Associated with an Eicon Networks Diva ISDN or ADSL modem - what does it do and is it required? | No |
| divx | X | divxenc.exe | Added by the SPBOT.B TROJAN! | No |
| Divx | X | codll.exe | Added by the GRAVEBOT-A TROJAN! | No |
| DivX MediaPlayer 7.0 | X | Dr.DivX.exe | Added by the ALADINZ.G TROJAN! | No |
| DivX Player | X | DivXPlayer.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| DivX Updater | X | DivX.Exe | Added by the NALDEM TROJAN or MASTAK VIRUS! | No |
| DIVX Video Player | X | DIVXPloyer.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| Divx4 codec | X | devldr32.exe | Added by an unidentfied VIRUS! Note - this is not the legitimate Creative Labs devldr32.exe file | No |
| Dixons Insert Detect | ? | InsDetect.exe | Part of Dixons Picture Suite. Detects a digital camera is plugged into a USB port or when a memory card with photos is inserted? | No |
| DJRegFix | N | regedit /s c:\hp\djregfix.reg | DJRegFix showed up first in WinME as a "clever" way to ensure that all Hewlett-Packard DeskJet printers actually worked with WinME - since most were having major problems. This "utility" adds the functionality and compatibility HP forgot to add in its WinME drivers | No |
| DJSNetCN | ? | DJSNetCN.exe | "Symantec Licensing Detect Internet Connection", part of Norton Antivirus. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| djtopr1150.exe | X | djtopr1150.exe | WebRebates adware | No |
| dKernel | X | dKernel.exe | Added by the DECOY-A WORM! | No |
| DkService | Y | DkService.exe | From Executive Software's Diskeeper defragmenting utility - a replacement for Windows Disk Defragmenter. It's recommended to leave this enabled, otherwise you could have problems starting it manually. | No |
| DKTime | X | dktime.exe | Added by the LUNII TROJAN! | No |
| Dkware lptt01 | X | dkware.exe | RapidBlaster variant (in a "DonkeySoft" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here | No |
| Dkware ml097e | X | dkware.exe | RapidBlaster variant (in a "DonkeySoft" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here | No |
| dkzzixm | ? | dkzzixm.exe | ?? | No |
| dla | Y | tfswctrl.exe | Drive letter access to a UDF packet writer for CD-RW - from HP, Veritas an others. Similar to Roxio's DirectCD and does the same thing. From HP - "This is a needed file as it controles the readability of the Combo drives. Without this file loading the end user will be able to burn CD's but wont be able to read them. The drive itself will be able to read store bought master Cd's without the file but not burnt ones" | Yes |
| DLA | Y | DLACTRLW.EXE | Drive letter access to a UDF packet writer for CD-RW - from HP, Veritas and others. Similar to Roxio's DirectCD and does the same thing. From HP - "This is a needed file as it controles the readability of the Combo drives. Without this file loading the end user will be able to burn CD's but wont be able to read them. The drive itself will be able to read store bought master Cd's without the file but not burnt ones" | Yes |
| DLACTRLW | Y | DLACTRLW.EXE | Drive letter access to a UDF packet writer for CD-RW - from HP, Veritas and others. Similar to Roxio's DirectCD and does the same thing. From HP - "This is a needed file as it controles the readability of the Combo drives. Without this file loading the end user will be able to burn CD's but wont be able to read them. The drive itself will be able to read store bought master Cd's without the file but not burnt ones" | Yes |
| DLACTRLW.EXE | Y | DLACTRLW.EXE | Drive letter access to a UDF packet writer for CD-RW - from HP, Veritas and others. Similar to Roxio's DirectCD and does the same thing. From HP - "This is a needed file as it controles the readability of the Combo drives. Without this file loading the end user will be able to burn CD's but wont be able to read them. The drive itself will be able to read store bought master Cd's without the file but not burnt ones" | Yes |
| DlaTray | N | Dlatray.exe | System Tray access to DLA - Drive letter access to HP's and Veritas' version of DirectCD. Does the same thing as DirectCD. From HP - "This is a needed file as it controles the readability of the Combo drives. Without this file loading the end user will be able to burn CD's but wont be able to read them. The drive itself will be able to read store bought master Cd's without the file but not burnt ones" | No |
| dlbcserv | N | dlbcserv.exe | Related to Dell Photo Printers and provides additional configuration options for these devices | No |
| DLBTCATS | Y | rundll32 [path] DLBTtime.dll, _RunDLLEntry@16 | Resolves a timing problem where a Dell service tries to communicate with the printer but Windows is too busy - by either delaying the start of the service or restarting if the service failed to load. See here for more details on a similar Lexmark DLL entry (LXDCtime.dll) | No |
| DLBUCATS | Y | rundll32 [path] DLBUtime.dll, _RunDLLEntry@16 | Resolves a timing problem where a Dell service tries to communicate with the printer but Windows is too busy - by either delaying the start of the service or restarting if the service failed to load. See here for more details on a similar Lexmark DLL entry (LXDCtime.dll) | No |
| DLBXCATS | Y | rundll32 [path] DLBXtime.dll, _RunDLLEntry@16 | Resolves a timing problem where a Dell service tries to communicate with the printer but Windows is too busy - by either delaying the start of the service or restarting if the service failed to load. See here for more details on a similar Lexmark DLL entry (LXDCtime.dll) | No |
| DLCCCATS | Y | rundll32 [path] DLCCtime.dll, _RunDLLEntry@16 | Resolves a timing problem where a Dell service tries to communicate with the printer but Windows is too busy - by either delaying the start of the service or restarting if the service failed to load. See here for more details on a similar Lexmark DLL entry (LXDCtime.dll). If you use the 964 printer, Dell recommends leaving dlcctime.dll in place as it fixes compatibility issues on some Dell systems. If you receive an error message on system startup that reads: "Error in C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\W32\x86\3DLCCtime.dll Missing entry: RunDLLEntry" Dell offers help here | No |
| dlccmon.exe | U | dlccmon.exe | Dell Photo AIO Printer 924 device monitor | No |
| DLCDCATS | Y | rundll32 [path] DLCDtime.dll, _RunDLLEntry@16 | Resolves a timing problem where a Dell service tries to communicate with the printer but Windows is too busy - by either delaying the start of the service or restarting if the service failed to load. See here for more details on a similar Lexmark DLL entry (LXDCtime.dll) | No |
| dlcdmon.exe | U | dlcdmon.exe | Dell Photo AIO Printer 944 device monitor | No |
| DLCFCATS | Y | rundll32 [path] DLCFtime.dll, _RunDLLEntry@16 | Resolves a timing problem where a Dell service tries to communicate with the printer but Windows is too busy - by either delaying the start of the service or restarting if the service failed to load. See here for more details on a similar Lexmark DLL entry (LXDCtime.dll) | No |
| DLCGCATS | Y | rundll32 [path] DLCGtime.dll, _RunDLLEntry@16 | Resolves a timing problem where a Dell service tries to communicate with the printer but Windows is too busy - by either delaying the start of the service or restarting if the service failed to load. See here for more details on a similar Lexmark DLL entry (LXDCtime.dll) | No |
| dlcgmon.exe | U | dlcgmon.exe | Dell Photo AIO Printer 810 device monitor | No |
| DLCICATS | Y | rundll32 [path] DLCItime.dll, _RunDLLEntry@16 | Resolves a timing problem where a Dell service tries to communicate with the printer but Windows is too busy - by either delaying the start of the service or restarting if the service failed to load. See here for more details on a similar Lexmark DLL entry (LXDCtime.dll) | No |
| dlcipscl | X | dcpavss.exe | Added by the MAILBOT-CB TROJAN! | No |
| DLCJCATS | Y | rundll32 [path] DLCJtime.dll, _RunDLLEntry@16 | Resolves a timing problem where a Dell service tries to communicate with the printer but Windows is too busy - by either delaying the start of the service or restarting if the service failed to load. See here for more details on a similar Lexmark DLL entry (LXDCtime.dll) | No |
| dlcjmon.exe | U | dlcjmon.exe | Dell Photo AIO Printer 964 device monitor | 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