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? |
|---|
| Adaware lptt01 | X | adaware.exe | RapidBlaster variant (in a "Adaware" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here. Note - this is not the valid Lavasoft Adaware | No |
| Adaware ml097e | X | adaware.exe | RapidBlaster variant (in a "Adaware" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here. Note - this is not the valid Lavasoft Adaware | No |
| AdBin | U | AdBin.exe | AdBin - "Free and easy solution to managing your Window's hosts file. A fun way to block ads" | No |
| Add**.exe [* = random char] | X | Add**.exe [* = random char] | CoolWebSearch/HomeSearch adware - for examples, see this log | No |
| Add**32.exe [* = random char] | X | Add**32.exe [* = random char] | CoolWebSearch/HomeSearch adware - for examples, see this log | No |
| AddClass | X | AddClass.exe | CoolWebSearch Addclass parasite variant | No |
| AddClass | X | [Installation_Path] | Added by the STARTPAGE.F hijacker | No |
| AddClass | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the SECDL-A TROJAN! | No |
| AdDelete | U | AdDelete.exe | Banner advertisment blocker | No |
| AdDestroyer | X | AdDestroyer.exe | Virtual Bouncer - malware from Spyware Labs. It is distributed by the same bundling and drive-by download techniques as the parasites it claims to remove, so definitely qualifies as unsolicited commercial software in itself. It also has an update feature that can download and execute arbitrary code. Warning - choose "custom" uninstall as "automatic" may remove other programs - see here | No |
| ADDITIONAL Services | X | pkgadd.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| addproxy | ? | addproxy.exe | Related to Adobe Photoshop | No |
| ADG | ? | ADG.exe | SoundBlaster Audigy related? | No |
| ADGJdet | N | ADGJDet.exe | Added with SoundBlaster Live! or Audigy soundcards for headphone autodetection | No |
| adi CleanUp | Y | CleanUp.exe | Utility that only runs once after installing the drivers for Analog Devices SoundMax integrated soundcards to clean-up the files no longer required once the installation is complete. Other programs/drivers may use the same filename for the same purpose. In this case, the file is located in %System% and is listed under the HKLM\RunOnce registry key | Yes |
| adi DSndUp | Y | DSndUp.exe | Utility that only runs once after installing the drivers for Analog Devices SoundMax integrated soundcards. It's exact purpose is unknown at the present time but from the filename it's probably used to configure the default or generic speaker arrangement for the system it's used on | Yes |
| aDir | X | adirss.exe | Added by the SPAMSRV-E TROJAN! | No |
| Adiras | Y | Adiras.exe | ADSL USB modem related | No |
| adirka | X | adirka.exe | Added by the TIBS-QT TROJAN! | No |
| AdKiller | U | AD Defender.exe | Part of Advanced Spyware Remover anti-spyware tool | No |
| adlhidp | X | psncc32.exe | Added by the SLAPER.AI TROJAN! | No |
| ADM Library Loader | X | admlib32.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT TROJAN! | No |
| Admanager Controller | X | AdManCtl.exe | Adware, probably a Windupdates variant | No |
| Admilli Service | X | AdmilliServ.exe | Windupdates adware variant | No |
| Administrator | X | svchost.scr | Added by the NOVACAL TROJAN! | No |
| Administrator | X | winlogon.exe | Added by the RUBBLE-C WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate winlogon.exe process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| Administrator di Dago | X | Dago.exe | Added by the PUNYA-B WORM! | No |
| AdminSoft | X | sysfile.vbs | Added by the STARGRUB-A WORM! | No |
| admtray.exe | U | admtray.exe | Related to Acer Inc. destop tray | No |
| Adobe | X | Adobe.exe | Added by an unidentified VIRUS, WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| Adobe | X | sysconfig.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| adobe | X | gam.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| Adobe | X | sysbat32.exe | Added by the LOWZONES.T TROJAN! | No |
| Adobe | X | zteam.exe | Added by an unidentified TROJAN! | No |
| Adobe Acrobat | N | READER~1.EXE | Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader PDF document reader. "The Speed Launcher quickly opens and closes all of the files that Acrobat or Adobe Reader will use when the application starts. Opening and closing the files allows your virus protection software to check these programs and add them to its list of safe files" - see here. Not required for Adobe Reader to function properly | No |
| Adobe Acrobat | N | Reader_sl.exe | Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader PDF document reader. "The Speed Launcher quickly opens and closes all of the files that Acrobat or Adobe Reader will use when the application starts. Opening and closing the files allows your virus protection software to check these programs and add them to its list of safe files" - see here. Not required for Adobe Reader to function properly | Yes |
| Adobe Acrobat Distiller Application | X | acrotray.exe | Added by the RANDEX.DFJ WORM! | No |
| Adobe Acrobat Reader CFG | X | [random filename] | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| Adobe Acrobat Speed Launcher | N | acrobat_sl.exe | Speeds up the time it takes to load Adobe's Acrobat PDF creation and management tool. From version 7.0 onwards | No |
| Adobe Filter Platform | X | afilterplatform.exe | Added by the RBOT-OP WORM! | No |
| Adobe Gamma Loader | U | Adobe Gamma Loader.exe | Adjusts monitor colours across all programs, including Photoshop. It is needed by some graphics professionals who want their monitor calibrated. Most home users will not need it. In my case I can verify this as Photoshop loads fine | Yes |
| Adobe Gamma Loader.exe | U | Adobe Gamma Loader.exe | Adjusts monitor colours across all programs, including Photoshop. It is needed by some graphics professionals who want their monitor calibrated. Most home users will not need it. In my case I can verify this as Photoshop loads fine | No |
| Adobe Photo Downloader | N | apdproxy.exe | Part of Adobe's Photoshop Album or Photoshop Elements packages - starts each time you connect an external image device to your PC (see here) | No |
| Adobe Reader Speed Launch | N | Reader_sl.exe | Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader PDF document reader. "The Speed Launcher quickly opens and closes all of the files that Acrobat or Adobe Reader will use when the application starts. Opening and closing the files allows your virus protection software to check these programs and add them to its list of safe files" - see here. Not required for Adobe Reader to function properly | Yes |
| Adobe Reader Speed Launch | N | READER~1.EXE | Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader PDF document reader. "The Speed Launcher quickly opens and closes all of the files that Acrobat or Adobe Reader will use when the application starts. Opening and closing the files allows your virus protection software to check these programs and add them to its list of safe files" - see here. Not required for Adobe Reader to function properly | No |
| Adobe Reader Speed Launcher | N | Reader_sl.exe | Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader PDF document reader. "The Speed Launcher quickly opens and closes all of the files that Acrobat or Adobe Reader will use when the application starts. Opening and closing the files allows your virus protection software to check these programs and add them to its list of safe files" - see here. Not required for Adobe Reader to function properly | Yes |
| Adobe Reader Synchronizer | U | AdobeCollabSync.exe | Adobe Synchronizer - installed along with Adobe Reader 8.x. "Synchronizer is a small application that runs in the background, providing synchronization of document reviews and Tracker subscriptions so that your data is available when you need it." See the link for more information | No |
| Adobe Version Cue CS2 | U | VersionCueCS2Tray.exe | File manager that's part of Adobe Creative Suite 2 - "find files fast, track versions across applications, link files together, and share them in creative collaboration without fear of overwriting someone else's work" | No |
| AdobeA | X | adobes.exe | Added by the FLOOD.BA TROJAN! | No |
| AdobeFonts | X | fonts.hta | Browser hijacker - redirecting to Hugesearch.net | 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