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? |
|---|
| Alarm Manager | U | Alarmapp.exe | Palm alarm event reminder that coordinates what is on your Palm with settings on your desktop | No |
| AlarmWatcher | ? | AlarmWatcher.exe | Associated with SynTPEnh and SynTPLpr which are from Synaptics for touchpads on laptops. What does it do and is it required? | No |
| Alaunch | Y | Alaunch | Part of Acer eRecovery - "a powerful utility that does away with the need for recovery disks provided by the manufacturer, and also acts as a versatile standalone backup and recovery manager". This entry isn't normally running but once eRecovery starts it's used to re-install the software included with the system | Yes |
| Album Fast Start | N | ABMTSR.EXE | Scanner software, not required for scanner to work | No |
| AlcFDMonitor | ? | ALCFDRTM.EXE | RealTek related - Real-Time SPDIF-in Monitor for nVidia chipset - is it required in startup? | No |
| ALCFDRTM16 | ? | ALCFDRTM16.com | RealTek related - Real-Time SPDIF-in Monitor for nVidia chipset - is it required in startup? | No |
| Alchem | X | Alchem.exe | ClickAlchemy adware | No |
| Alcmtr | U | ALCMTR.EXE | Realtek Azalia Audio - Event Monitor, installed with the XP/2K drivers for on-board Realtek HD audio codecs. Some users believe that Realtek uses this file in order to gather data about the customer but it's exact purpose is unknown and it doesn't run on an ALC885 based test system or try to access the internet. Some users report problems with their on-board sound if this is disabled - hence the "U" recommendation | Yes |
| Alcmtr | X | Malware Doctor.exe | MalwareDoc rogue security software - not recommended, removal instructions here | No |
| Alcohol | N | Alcohol.exe | Alcohol 120% - "a powerful Windows CD and DVD burning software that makes it easy to create backups of DVDs and CDs. In addition, the program lets you store your most used CDs as images on your computer, so you can call them up at the click of a button". The original can be stored in a safe place and the loading times are significantly reduced as the virtual drive is much faster | Yes |
| Alcohol 120% | N | Alcohol.exe | Alcohol 120% - "a powerful Windows CD and DVD burning software that makes it easy to create backups of DVDs and CDs. In addition, the program lets you store your most used CDs as images on your computer, so you can call them up at the click of a button". The original can be stored in a safe place and the loading times are significantly reduced as the virtual drive is much faster | Yes |
| Alcohol Soft Development Team | N | axcmd.exe | Part of Alcohol 120% - "a powerful Windows CD and DVD burning software that makes it easy to create backups of DVDs and CDs. In addition, the program lets you store your most used CDs as images on your computer, so you can call them up at the click of a button". This entry automatically re-loads a disk image in the virtual CD/DVD drive on a system reboot | Yes |
| Alcohol.exe Autorun | N | Alcohol.exe | Alcohol 120% - "a powerful Windows CD and DVD burning software that makes it easy to create backups of DVDs and CDs. In addition, the program lets you store your most used CDs as images on your computer, so you can call them up at the click of a button". The original can be stored in a safe place and the loading times are significantly reduced as the virtual drive is much faster | Yes |
| AlcoholAutomount | N | axcmd.exe | Part of Alcohol 120% - "a powerful Windows CD and DVD burning software that makes it easy to create backups of DVDs and CDs. In addition, the program lets you store your most used CDs as images on your computer, so you can call them up at the click of a button". This entry automatically re-loads a disk image in the virtual CD/DVD drive on a system reboot | Yes |
| Alcom PCL Capture | ? | FMW_PCAP.EXE | ?? | No |
| alcomrg.exe | X | alcomrg.exe | Added by the SDBOT-DNT WORM! | No |
| AlcWzrd | U | ALCWZRD.EXE | RealTek AlcWzrd Application, installed with the drivers for on-board Realtek HD audio codecs. On an ALC885 based test system it runs only once after the drivers have been installed and the startup entry is then removed. Disabling it appears to have no ill effects but it's exact purpose is unknown - hence the "U" recommendation | Yes |
| AlcxMonitor | U | Alcxmntr.exe | Installed with hardware drivers for a Realtek AC97 audio device. It's believed that Realtek uses this file in order to gather data about the customer. Some users report problems with their on-board sound if this is disabled - hence the "U" recommendation | No |
| aldefr ere service | X | tay0x.exe | Added by the RBOT-XS WORM! | No |
| alerter | X | alerter.exe | MAHA.F spyware | No |
| Alevir | X | Alevir.exe | Added by the OPASERV-A WORM!
| No |
| AlevirOld | X | [worm filename] | Added by the OPASERV WORM!
| No |
| Alexa | N | alexa.exe | Related to Alexa. Note - collects and stores information about the web pages you view, the data you enter in online forms and search programs and, with versions 5.0 and higher, the products you purchase online whilst using the toolbar. Although Alexa state's they do not attempt to analyze the data it may collect about you to determine who you are, some of your information collected by the software is personally identifiable. Please read the Privacy Policy. Not Recommended | No |
| AlexaToolbar | X | alt.exe | Identified by Ewido Security Suite (Ewido is now part of AVG Technologies) as the DELF.EB TROJAN! | No |
| AlfaCleaner | X | AlfaCleaner.exe | AlphaCleaner is now a stealth install using exploits on unpatched systems. Seen alongside RazeSpyware
| No |
| AlfaClock Classic | U | AlfaClock.exe | AlfaClock Free Edition from AlfaSoft Research Labs - "enhances your taskbar clock (tray clock) with fully customizable clock display, alarms, time synchronization and more" | No |
| AlfaClock2 | U | AlfaClock2.exe | AlfaClock2 from AlfaSoft Research Labs -"enhances your tray clock functionality. Of course, you can customize the look, adjusting fonts, colors, backgrounds and more. But, the main goal of this program is to extend your tray clock functionality" | No |
| ALFY Accellerator | ? | AlfyAC~1.exe | ?? | No |
| alg | X | alg.exe | Added by the SDBOT-DJC WORM! | No |
| ALG.EXE | X | iexplorer .exe | Added by the DEMOTRY-B WORM! | No |
| ALG32 | X | ALG32.EXE | Added by the STARTPAGE.K hijacker | No |
| algchk.exe | X | algchk.exe | Detected by Kaspersky as the VB.ATE TROJAN! | No |
| ALGU | X | ALGU.EXE | Added by the CWS-I TROJAN! | No |
| ALGU.exe | X | ALGU.exe | Added by the STARTPAGE.O TROJAN! | No |
| algv.exe | X | algv.exe | Added by the AUTORUN-BEA WORM! | No |
| ALi5289 | U | ALi5289.exe | Related to Uli Integrated Drivers from Uli Electronics Inc | No |
| Alias SketchBook Snapshot | N | ALIASS~2.EXE | Screen-capture utility for Alias Sketchbook | No |
| AlienAutopsy | N | Test_BS.exe | Alienware computer technical support software | No |
| ALiSndMgr | Y | ALiSndMg.exe | ALi AC97 Sound driver | No |
| AliUSBfix | ? | GREENMK.exe | May be realted to a USB 2.0 PCI card - the IOgear GIC220OU? | No |
| Alive SYstem | X | scchost.exe | Added by the TOFDROP-B TROJAN! | No |
| Alive SYstem | X | scchostc.exe | Added by the TOFDROP-B TROJAN! | No |
| alkasr | X | ?????.exe | Added by the BALKART TROJAN! | No |
| All Aboard Status | U | stswin.exe | All Aboard! Internet Connection Sharing status icon | No |
| All Sea screen saver | X | TaskTray.exe | Free screensaver, installs lots of foistware - remove it | No |
| All Sea web link | X | FWLink.exe | Free screensaver, installs lots of foistware - remove it | No |
| AllerCalc | N | AllerCalc.exe | AllerCalc is an expression calculator which allows you to directly enter an expression to be evaluated. Can be started manually | No |
| Allopassw | X | [path to trojan] | Added by the RANKY.CU TROJAN! | No |
| AllSeeingEye | U | ase.exe | All-Seeing_Eye security software - "monitors everything that takes place on your computer, and alerts the user as soon as anything suspicious or out-of-the-ordinary is happening, providing the user with alternatives for possible actions" | No |
| allSnap | U | allSnap.exe | "allSnap is a small system tray app that makes all top level windows automatically align like they do in programs such as Winamp or Photoshop" | 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