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? |
|---|
| aaprotect | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the BANCBAN-MJ TROJAN! | No |
| AASSKK2 | X | LSASS.EXE | Added by the SILLYFDC.BDB WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate lsass.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %AppData% | No |
| aauclient | ? | ACNUpdater.exe | Appears to be related to software from Accenture.com | No |
| AAW | U | Ad-Aware.exe | Ad-Aware SE Personal from Lavasoft - popular spyware/adware removal tool. Now superseded by Ad-Aware 2008 Free | No |
| AAWTray | U | AAWTray.exe | System Tray access to Ad-aware from Lavasoft - popular spyware/adware removal tool | No |
| ab EazyScheduler | ? | ezsched.exe | ?? | No |
| abass | X | abass.exe | Added by a variant of the Storm/Nuwar/Zhelatin WORM! See here for an example | No |
| ABBYY Community Agent | N | CAGENT.EXE | Installed with the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software that comes bundled with a Compaq A3000 all-in-one printer/scanner. Its function appears to be to link you to the internet in an attempt to buy the 5.0 version of the software | No |
| ABC | U | keylogger.exe | Keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself!
| No |
| abcdefgh | X | abcdefgh.exe | EPJ TROJAN!
| No |
| ABIT uGuru | U | uGuru.exe | ABIT µGuru - on motherboards incorporating the µGuru processor this provides quick access to "hardware monitoring, overclocking, BIOS flashing and audio tweaking" | No |
| ABITEQ | N | abiteq.exe | Monitoring utility for ABIT Motherboards. Displays system voltages, temperatures and fan speeds | No |
| Abox | X | Abox.exe | Adultbox adware | No |
| Abrada WIN32 | X | abrada.exe | Added by the DERMON-G TROJAN!
| No |
| ABRegmon | Y | ABregmon.exe | Part of the ArcaVir antivirus suite from Polish company Arcabit. What does this part do? | No |
| Absolute Shield | U | dseraser.exe | Absolute Shield Evidence Eliminator - internet history eraser
| No |
| Absolute StartUp monitor | U | ASMon.exe | Absolute Startup - startup monitor from F-Group Software | No |
| AbsoluteShield Internet Eraser | U | cseraser.exe | AbsoluteShield Internet Eraser - "protects your privacy by cleaning up all the tracks of your Internet and computer activities"
| No |
| ABsr | X | absr.exe | Added by the AUTOUPDER TROJAN! | No |
| absr | X | mwsvm.exe | SeekSeek search hijacker related - see here
| No |
| abtu | X | mp3serch.exe | Loads the executable for Lop.com - final version | No |
| abtu | X | lopsearch.exe | Loads the executable for Lop.com - beta version | No |
| Abyssus | U | razerhid.exe | Razer Abyssus gaming mouse driver - required if you use the additional features and programmed keys/macros | No |
| AbyssWebServer | U | abyssws.exe | Abyss web server | No |
| Ac97Sound | X | snddrv.exe | Added by the VB.AXG TROJAN! | No |
| aca | U | aca.exe | Access Controller - "a desktop locking security utility you can use to protect your desktop when you are not near your PC. To activate protection, define a password in Options, and select the Lock command. Password protection can be automatically activated on boot or with a click of an icon in the system tray." The same program as 1 Click & Lock and
Access Lock (and maybe others) - the same file for the same version is used by all programs but the filename is different in each case | Yes |
| aca.exe | U | aca.exe | Access Controller - "a desktop locking security utility you can use to protect your desktop when you are not near your PC. To activate protection, define a password in Options, and select the Lock command. Password protection can be automatically activated on boot or with a click of an icon in the system tray." The same program as 1 Click & Lock and
Access Lock (and maybe others) - the same file for the same version is used by all programs but the filename is different in each case | Yes |
| AcBtnMgr_X63 | U | AcBtnMgr_X63.exe | "Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program" for the Lexmark X63 all-in-one multifunction printer/copier/scanner. Button manager for features such as scan, scan to E-mail, copy, etc | No |
| AcBtnMgr_X63.exe | U | AcBtnMgr_X63.exe | "Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program" for the Lexmark X63 all-in-one multifunction printer/copier/scanner. Button manager for features such as scan, scan to E-mail, copy, etc | No |
| AcBtnMgr_X73 | U | AcBtnMgr_X73.exe | "Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program" for the Lexmark X73 all-in-one multifunction printer/copier/scanner. Button manager for features such as scan, scan to E-mail, copy, etc | No |
| AcBtnMgr_X83 | U | AcBtnMgr_X83.exe | "Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program" for the Lexmark X83 all-in-one multifunction printer/copier/scanner. Button manager for features such as scan, scan to E-mail, copy, etc | No |
| AcBtnMgr_X84-X85 | U | AcBtnMgr_X84-X85.exe | "Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program" for the Lexmark X84-X85 all-in-one multifunction printer/copier/scanner. Button manager for features such as scan, scan to E-mail, copy, etc | No |
| acc | U | acc.exe | Advanced Call Center - "full-featured yet easy-to-use answering machine software for your voice modem" | No |
| ACCDEFRAGINFO | X | [path to worm] | Added by the DARBY-O WORM! | No |
| Accelerate | U | accelerate.exe | Webroot Accelerate - allows you to optimize Windows network registry settings in order to boost surfing speeds. Leave this enabled if you find it improves your connection | No |
| AccelerometerSt | Y | AccelerometerSt.exe | HP 3D DriveGuard uses a digital accelerometer protects your disk drive by parking and halting I/O requests if you drop your PC or if you move your PC with the display lid closed | No |
| AccelerometerSysTrayApplet | Y | AccelerometerSt.exe | HP 3D DriveGuard uses a digital accelerometer protects your disk drive by parking and halting I/O requests if you drop your PC or if you move your PC with the display lid closed | No |
| Access Connections | U | ACTray.exe | System Tray access to the ThinkVantage Access Connections connectivity-assistant program for IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad or 3000 Family notebook computers - "allowing users to seamlessly switch between wired and wireless environments, managing security settings, printers, home page and other location-specific settings automatically" | Yes |
| Access Control App | X | winsto.exe | Added by the AGENT.DGO TROJAN! | No |
| Access IBM Message Center | N | ibmmessages.exe | "The Access IBM Message Center displays messages to inform you about helpful software that may be pre-installed on your PC. The Message Center can also provide messages about new updates available from the IBM Support Center to keep your computer current" | Yes |
| Access Ramp Monitor | N | armon32.exe | Monitors your progress on the internet; hang-ups, connection speeds, internet congestion and traffic flow. It prevents some games from running also. To disable the Access Ramp Monitor (1) Open Windows Explorer (2) Open the Program Files folder (3) Open the MindSpring folder (4) Open the AccessRamp folder (5) Double-click on the ARMCfg32.exe file (6) Uncheck Enable Dialup Monitor and click OK (7) Restart the computer and try again | No |
| Access WebControl | X | [path to file] | Added by the PPDOOR-M TROJAN! | No |
| AccessManager | U | AccessMgr.exe | Part of SmartPipes SecureSite software. "SecureSite enables rapid turnup and enhanced administration of VPNs. It automates and simplifies tasks for VPN design and policy management, access control management, and key management" | No |
| AccessMedia P2P Loader | X | amp2pl.exe | My AccessMedia toolbar related, stealth installed! | No |
| AccessoriesPlus | U | clockplus.exe | Clock Plus, part of Accessories Plus allows you to select from dozens of alternatives for the Windows clock | No |
| AccessRamp Monitor01 | N | ARMon32a.exe | From a visitor "Just wanted to provide you with some info on Access Ramp software installed with Verizon DSL accounts in those areas that use the Winpoet PPPoE software. The Access Ramp TSRs are installed as part of IP Insight software (can't remember the software maker). You can decline to install IP Insight during Winpoet setup, or go into Add/Remove programs uninstall IP Insight by hand if it's already installed. It really doesn't do a darn thing for you. It was intended to help DSL techs monitor QoS, but the backend part was never implemented (at least as of earlier this year). This will not affect the user's ability or inability to access their DSL service" | No |
| AccessRampLAN01 | N | ARUpld32.exe | Version of the AccessRamp Monitor01 entry for LAN connections - a history uploader. The key in turning it off is a file named ARUCfg32.exe. This file (ARUCfg32.exe) does not show up in the startup process. If you have this file, you can execute it and remove all the monitoring activities it does. Removing all the checks in all the boxes (both tabs) still calls ARUpld32.exe to start when you start the dial up. You can block it from sending info if you have Zone Alarm installed. Renaming the extension of ARUCfg32.exe to ARUCfg32.exe1 works. The ARUpld32.exe is not loaded when launching the dial up client. Written by IP Insight and also included with Earthlink Total Access 2003 | No |
| accrdsub | Y | accrdsub.exe | ActivIdentity ActivClient - security software from ActivIdentity Corporation which "enables organizations to secure workstations with smart cards and smart USB tokens while enforcing strong authentication for desktop access and network login" | No |
| AcctMgr | U | AcctMgr.exe | Norton™ Password Manager - part of Norton SystemWorks 2004 - stores passwords and other personal information, and retrieves the data needed for email logins, shopping orders, banking, and other online activities - all from the safety of your own PC | No |
| AccuWeather.com® Desktop | N | AccuWeatherDesktop.exe | Desktop weather from AccuWeather | No |
|
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