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? |
|---|
| afmsmsgs | X | afmsmsgs.exe | Added by the DLOADR-CUX TROJAN! | No |
| afskfask8 | X | fsfjasj8.exe | Added by the ONLINEG-L TROJAN! | No |
| AGEIA PhysX SysTray | N | TrayIcon.exe | System Tray access to display properties for AGEIA PhysX graphics cards. Unless you change your desktop resolution, etc, regularily use Control Panel -> Display Properties or right-click on the desktop | No |
| Agent | N | Agent.exe | Cyberlink's Power VCR II 3.0 is a TV tuner recording utility. If you want to schedule recordings you'll need this, otherwise can be disabled. Available via Start -> Programs
| No |
| Agent | X | alsys.exe | Added by the DREF-V VIRUS! | No |
| agent | X | ppl.exe | Added by the DREF-U VIRUS! | No |
| Agent Browser | X | [random filename] | Added by the PPdoor.M-bdr backdoor TROJAN! | No |
| Agent Explorer | X | [random filename] | Unidentified adware | No |
| agent.exe | X | agent.exe | Part of rogue security tools, including Privacy Center and Privacy Components | No |
| Agente | ? | Remupd.exe | Part of an older version of Panda Antivirus. Is this an update reminder (guess because of the name), virus definition update reminder or something similar? | No |
| agentsvr | X | agentsvr.exe | Detected by Kaspersky as Monker.A adware. Note - do not confuse with the Microsoft Agent Server application of the same name as described here - the legitimate file will always be located in the Windows\Msagent folder | No |
| Agere SoftModem Messaging Applet | U | AGRSMMSG.exe | Installed with the drivers for internal software modems based upon Lucent/Agere Systems chipsets - required if you use the SoftModem Assistant to configure the modem | Yes |
| AgfaCLnk | U | AgfaCLnk.exe | For Agfa digital cameras connected via USB. Enables Windows to access the contents of the memory stick (while the stick's still on the camera) via a virtual drive | No |
| agp | X | agp32.exe | Added by the GAOBOT.SY WORM! | No |
| AGRSMMSG | U | AGRSMMSG.exe | Installed with the drivers for internal software modems based upon Lucent/Agere Systems chipsets - required if you use the SoftModem Assistant to configure the modem | Yes |
| AGSatellite | N | AGSatellite.exe | Program from AudioGalaxy that lets you download some MP3s from their server. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| ahfp | U | ahfp.exe | Advanced Hide Folders - "is powerful file security program. It allows to hide folders or hide files. Advanced Hide Folders is very useful to keep your personal data away from others. Others will not know where your personal files exist and they will not be able to accidentally view, delete or modify them either" | No |
| ahfprog | U | ahfp.exe | Advanced Hide Folders - "is powerful file security program. It allows to hide folders or hide files. Advanced Hide Folders is very useful to keep your personal data away from others. Others will not know where your personal files exist and they will not be able to accidentally view, delete or modify them either" | No |
| AHNSD | Y | AhnSD.exe | AhnLab V3 antivirus updater - leave enabled unless you manually update on a regular basis | No |
| AHNUE | ? | AHNUE.exe | ?? | No |
| AhorreMemoria | X | SysRep.exe | AhorreMemoria rogue system error and cleaning utility - not recommended. A member of the ErrClean family | No |
| ahost | X | ahost.exe | Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM! | No |
| AHQInit | N | ahqinit.exe | Part of AudioHQ for the Soundblaster Live!. Appears as though it makes the AudioHW toolbar drop down from the top of the desktop and isn't required | No |
| Ahst | X | iebs.exe | PurityScan adware | No |
| AHU | X | [path to worm] | Added by the ANACON-B WORM! | No |
| AHU | X | ANACON.EXE | Added by the NACO.A WORM! | No |
| ahui32.exe | X | ahui32.exe | Added by the CERTIF-M TROJAN! | No |
| Ai Gear Help | U | GearHelp.exe | Included with some ASUS motherboards (such as the Maximus Extreme & Striker II Extreme), AI Gear "is a utility designed to configure and support all ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit) features." Provides system performance profiles to adjust CPU frequency and voltage for different computing needs. Part of AI Suite | No |
| Ai Nap | U | AiNap.exe | Included with some ASUS motherboards (such as the Maximus Extreme & Striker II Extreme), "AI Nap allows you to minimize the power consumption of your computer whenever you are away. Enable this feature for minimum power consumption and quieter system opearation." Part of AI Suite | No |
| Ai Quicker Help | U | AsRc.exe | ASUS DH Remote media portal launcher for their Digital Home range of motherboards that are designed for users to control the computer at a distance away, such as the M2N DH. "ASUS DH Remote is a convenient PC remote controller that gives users unprecedented control over their PCs from the comfort of their couches" | No |
| Aica | X | tuaa.exe | PurityScan adware | No |
| Aida | X | ttuh.exe | PurityScan adware | No |
| Aida | X | eetu.exe | PurityScan adware | No |
| AidemHotKey | ? | DVMAIN.EXE | Keyboard related | No |
| AidemHotKey | ? | KEYAPP.EXE | Keyboard related | No |
| aiepk | U | aiepk2.exe | Another IE Popup Killer - pop-up stopper | No |
| AIM | N | aim.exe | AOL Instant Messenger. If connected to the internet, automatically runs up AIM. Convenience more than anything. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| AIM | U | AIM+.exe | AIM plus - a free add-on to AOL's Instant Messenger for Windows from Big-O Software | No |
| AIM Instant Message Cookies | X | [random filename] | Added by the RBOT-AFV WORM! | No |
| AIM Logger | N | AIMLogger.exe | AIM Logger - saves AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) conversations to log files. Can be started when you are using AIM | No |
| Aim Plugin | X | aimplugin.exe | Added by the GUAP-F WORM! | No |
| AIM reminder | X | AIM reminder.exe | Added by the BUDDY.E TROJAN! | No |
| Aim6 | N | AOLLaunch.exe | AOL Instant Messenger - start it when you want to use it | No |
| Aim6 | N | aim6.exe | AOL Instant Messenger - start it when you want to use it | No |
| AIM95 Startup | X | aim95.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.AEE WORM! | No |
| aimaol lptt01 | X | aimaol.exe | RapidBlaster variant (in a "Aimaol" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here | No |
| aimaol ml097e | X | aimaol.exe | RapidBlaster variant (in a "Aimaol" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here | No |
| aimb.exe" -h | U | aimb.exe | IMSufSentinel is a spy program which can record IM conversations, log keystrokes, record URLs visited, and take screenshots. If you didn't install this yourself remove it | No |
| AimingClick | N | AimingClick.exe | AimingClick from AimingTech. Web searching tool. Available via Start -> Programs | No |
| AimMonitor | U | AimMonitor.exe | AIM Monitor Sniffer surveillance software for the AIM instant messenger. Uninstall this software unless you put it there yourself | 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