Windows startup programs - Browse database

If you're frustrated with the time it takes your Windows 7/Vista/XP PC to boot and then it seems to be running slowly you may have too many programs running at start-up - and you have come to the right place to identify them. This is the original start-up programs (as opposed to processes/tasks) list - one of the most accurate and comprehensive. Services are not included - see below. For further information on this and how to identify and disable start-up programs please visit the Introduction page.

See here for further information on random entries - which are typically added by viruses and other malware or unwanted programs.

Last database update :- 31st October, 2012
26738 items listed

Alternatively, you can search the full database or use the alphabetical index on that page.

You can also manually change the page number in the address bar.

You can also manually change the page number in the address bar.

Notes & Warnings

If you can help identify new entries and verify/identify those entries with a "?" status (especially hardware specific - such as laptops and motherboards) then please E-mail us (startups_at_pacs-portal_dot_co_dot_uk).

"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\System32 (7/Vista/XP)
  • C:\Winnt\System32 (2K/NT)
  • C:\Windows\System (Me/9x)
• %Windir% - refers to the Windows installation folder; by default this is
  • C:\Windows (7/Vista/XP/Me/9x)
  • C:\Winnt (2K/NT)
• %ProgramFiles% - refers to the Program Files folder; typically the path is C:\Program Files
• %UserProfile% - refers to the current user's profile folder; by default this is
  • C:\Users\{user} (7/Vista)
  • C:\Documents and Settings\{user} (XP/2K/NT)
• %AllUserProfile% - refers to the common profile folder for all users; by default this is
  • C:\Users\All Users (7/Vista)
  • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users (XP/2K/NT)
• %AppData% - refers to the current user's Application Data folder; by default this is
  • C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Roaming (7/Vista)
  • C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\Application Data (XP/2K/NT)
• %CommonAppData% - refers to the common Application Data folder for all users; by default this is
  • C:\ProgramData (7/Vista)
  • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data (XP/2K/NT)
• %LocalAppData% - refers to the current user's Local Application Data folder; by default this is
  • C:\Users{user}\AppData\Local (7/Vista)
  • C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\Local Settings\Application Data (XP/2K/NT)
• %Templates% - refers to the current user's Templates folder; by default this is
  • C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates (7/Vista)
  • C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\Templates (XP/2K/NT)

DISCLAIMER: It is assumed that users are familiar with the operating system they are using and comfortable with making the suggested changes. We will not be held responsible if changes you make cause a system failure.

WARNING: This is NOT a database of tasks/processes taken from Task Manager or the Close Program window (CTRL+ALT+DEL) but a database of start-up 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 start-up. 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 malware 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.exe" above for example. Multiple malware can also use the same start-up entries, in this case only those with significant differences (such as file location) are repeated in this database.

As more than 15K entries in this database related to malware you should use a quality internet security package. Which ever you choose, keep it updated and get the latest version at least every two years.

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 ComboFix, a program written by sUBs that can remove many different types of Trojans and Worms. See here for a tutorial on how to use the program

NOTE: 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.

SERVICES: "Services" from the NT/2K/XP/Vista/7 operating systems are not included. We fully understand that some programs with these OS's use "Services" as an alternative to load their component parts at startup but these are handled in a different way. We recommend you try BlackViper for information on services for the relevant operating systems.

Copyright

Presentation, format & comments Copyright © 2001 - 2012 Pacman's Portal
Portions Copyright © Peter Forrest, Denny Denham, Sylvain Prevost, Tony Klein, CastleCops & Bleeping Computer
All rights reserved