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? |
|---|
| AdobeManager | X | rundtl.exe | Added by the INJECT.IB TROJAN! | No |
| adobemgr | X | adobemgr.exe | Added by the ADCLICKER TROJAN! | No |
| AdobeReader | X | msni.exe | Added by the RBOT.DAO TROJAN! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | msnxpsp.exe | Added by the RBOT-ASK or RBOT-AUS WORMS! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | ntkernell32.exe | Added by the RBOT-ATY WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | msnserve.exe | Added by the SDBOT-AKH WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | updt.exe | Added by the IRCBOT-VQ WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | rruxdkf.exe | Added by the RBOT.ADF BACKDOOR! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | svxhost.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM - see here | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | winslog.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | lxlfsprrj.exe | Added by the RBOT.BDZ BACKDOOR! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | cbdzfrsl.exe | Added by the RBOT.AZQ BACKDOOR! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | subset.exe | Added by the RBOT.OCU WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | winini.exe | Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | rvdjlefr.exe | Added by the RBOT-CQZ WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | spoolss.exe | Added by the SDBOT-AKZ WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | lssas.exe | Added by the RBOT-CLB WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | msnservex.exe | Added by the RBOT.AKM BACKDOOR! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | msnsrcdv.exe | Added by the INJECT-H WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | chkdisk.exe | Added by the RBOT-BDV WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPro | X | service.exe | Added by the RBOT-BCA WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderProfessional | X | msx64.exe | Added by the RBOT-GAT WORM! | No |
| AdobeReaderPros | X | sysmsn.exe | Added by the RBOT-BGH WORM! | No |
| AdobeUpdater | N | AdobeUpdater.exe | Automatic updater for Adobe software - run manually | No |
| AdobeVersionCue | N | VersionCueTray.exe | "An exclusive feature of the Adobe® Creative Suite, Version Cue™ helps you find files fast, track multiple versions of your files, and share your files for creative collaboration" | No |
| Adobe_ID0EYTHM | ? | VERSIO~2.EXE | Part of an Adobe product. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| adodemaster | X | adodemaster.exe | Downloader of Korean origin, detected as ADOD.28672 | No |
| Adope File Manager | X | lsasv.exe | Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! | No |
| adp | X | adp.exe | Spyware installed by Net2Phone, Limewire, Cydoor, Grokster, KaZaa, etc | No |
| AdPopup | X | dcf5678.exe | Added by the AGENT-FZ TROJAN! | No |
| adprot | X | adprot.exe | AdBlaster adware | No |
| ADQuickAccess | N | Adtray.exe | After Dark for Windows. Screen saver creation program produced before screen savers became integrated into Win95 | No |
| ADriver | X | windrv.exe | Added by the DELF.WG TROJAN! | No |
| AdRoarUpdate | X | ARUpdate.exe | AdRoar adware updater | No |
| AdRotator.Application | X | [path to csrss.exe] | Added by the SMALL-AQ TROJAN! Note - this worm replaces the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! | No |
| AdRotator.Application | X | services.exe | FakeMessage/AdRotator adware. Note - this is not the legitimate services.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in an "Inetsrv" subfolder | No |
| ADS Adware Remover | X | ADS Adware Remover.exe | ADS Adware Remover, rogue adware remover - not recommended, see here | No |
| AdsBlocker | X | stopAds.exe | AdsBlocker - detected by NOD32 as DIALER.DW! | No |
| AdsCleaner | U | AdsCleaner.exe | "AdsCleaner is a powerful ad blocking software designed to stop ads (block banners ad, kill popup), guard your online privacy" | No |
| ADService | U | ADService.exe | Part of Active Disk from Iomega - allows software applications to be run directly from an Iomega Zip® disk. Required if you wish the applications to launch on insertion of a disk. Appears as a service in XP/Vista and under the "RunServices" registry key in Win98/ME | No |
| AdsGone | U | Adsgone.exe | AdsGone - pop-up stopper | No |
| ADSL Diagnostic Tools | N | mapiicon.exe | System tray access to ADSL modem diagnostic tools. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| ADSLSYSTEMTRAY | ? | SystemtrayV100B.exe | Apparently Annex A ADSL modem related. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| AdslTaskBar | Y | rundll32.exe stmctrl.dll, TaskBar | ISP software, initializes DSL modem | No |
| AdslTaskBars | X | taskmng.exe | Added by the RBOT-AXZ WORM! | No |
| ADSL_A2 | ? | A2Installed | Associated with an Integrated Telecom Express (ITeX) ADSL driver installation. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| adsnwe | U | adsnwe.exe | EmailSpyMonitor E-mail surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| adsnwk | U | adsnwk.exe | Keylogger Spy Monitor keystroke logger/monitoring program - remove unless you installed it yourself! | No |
| adsnws | U | adsnws.exe | ScreenSpyMonitor surveillance software. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | No |
| aDSProcMngr | U | aDSProcMngr.exe | Part of PC Tools Disk Suite from PC Tools - which "is an all-in-one hard-disk management utility that integrates disk optimization, defragmentation and backup tools in one easy to use package". Proxy (or agent) for the Disk Suite Service. Based upon my experience, if this is disabled it does not appear to adversely affect on-demand or scheduled tasks but has a "U" recommendation as it's function isn't fully known | Yes |
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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