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? |
|---|
| Ad-Aware | X | Ad-Aware.exe | Added by the RBOT-ADJ WORM! Note - this is not the popular Ad-Aware spware/adware removal tool and is located in %System% | No |
| Ad-Eliminator | X | ad-eliminator.exe | Ad-Eliminator rogue spyware remover - not recommended, see here | No |
| Ad-Muncher | U | ADMUNCH.EXE | Ad Muncher removes adverts, pop-ups and general annoyances in your browser, file-sharing and messenger programs. Causes conflicts with Outlook, game sites and web-building applications | No |
| Ad-Protect | U | ad-protect.exe | Ad-Protect spyware and spam monitoring tool
| No |
| Ad-watch | U | Ad-watch.exe | Part of Lavasoft Ad-aware Plus - realtime spyware-monitor watching your memory and registry for spyware that tries to install or change your system | No |
| AD2KClient | U | AD2KClient.exe | Active Disk from Iomega - allows software applications to be run directly from compatible removable media such as Zip®, Rev, FireWire, USB and Mini flash. Required if you wish the applications to launch on insertion of a disk | No |
| Adaptec 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 |
| AdaptecDirectCD | 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 |
| AdAware | X | wini.exe | Added by the RBOT-XN WORM! | No |
| Adaware Bootup | U | Ad-aware.exe | Ad-Aware from Lavasoft - popular spyware/adware removal tool | No |
| 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 Guard | X | WI[random characters].exe | Additional Guard rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| ADDITIONAL Services | X | pkgadd.exe | Added by a variant of the IRCBOT TROJAN! | No |
| addproxy | ? | addproxy.exe | Related to Adobe Photoshop | No |
| AddrPlus3 | X | [path] stup.exe [path] Adplus.dll Rundll32 | TCent adware | 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 | X | AD Defender.exe | Part of the Advanced Spyware Remover rogue spyware remover - not recommended, see here | 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 | ? | admtray.exe | Part of Acer Empowering Technology. What does it do and is it required? | 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 |
|
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