INTRODUCTION

If you are a regular visitor, click here to go straight to the PROGRAMS

The intention of these pages is to provide a central resource for PC users and Tech Support staff alike who are concerned about the poor performance of their PCs due to the number of programs that run at system start-up. The following information is provided:

• Background to the problem

• Techniques that can be used to identify and disable start-up programs from running

• A comprehensive list of programs that are loaded at start-up

• A request for additional programs or updated information

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.

Paul Collins
(aka Pacman)
Pacman's Portal

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WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Virtually all applications you install using the default installation these days decide that they should start-up when Windows starts. If you allow these to take control, you can end up with a situation where (unless you have sufficient memory installed) every other program slows down to be unusable.

The reason for this is that all of these programs use a portion of the system memory and resources which leaves a smaller percentage for other programs once they're opened. On my old system for example, prior to tweaking I had 33 programs running at start-up with the system resources at 59% and Windows took an age before it was ready for use. Post tweaking I had a mere 10, with system resources back to 92% and Windows was up and running within a minute.

HOW CAN I IDENTIFY THESE PROGRAMS?

Win9x/Me/2K/XP users:

Use the "System Configuration Utility" (MSCONFIG) to identify startup programs. MSCONFIG is available for all Win9x/Me/2K/XP users (Win95/2K user can use the respective versions from here).

You invoke it by clicking Start then Run. In the Open box, type msconfig.exe followed by enter. Once displayed, click on the "Startup" tab. You will see a list of items and the 2 columns that we're interested in are "Name" (WinME) or "Startup Item" (WinXP) and "Command". For Win98 the columns aren't named but the one on the left is the equivalent of "Name" and the one on the right is the equivalent of "Command":

WinNT users:

Use a free utility from SysInternals called AutoRuns v1.2, which displays all the startup locations. Highlight an item and click on "Jump to" and it will take you to the appropriate startup location, including the registry keys where appropriate:

If the registry editor is opened (REGEDIT), you will see a list of items and the 2 columns I'm interested in are "Name" and "Data":

Alternatively, you can use a startup manager.

Notes:

(1) The "Close Program" window in Win9x/Me and "Task Manager" window in WinNT/2K/XP (both can be accessed via the CTRL+ALT+DEL key combination) displays some startup programs AND other background tasks and "Services". This site is concerned with startup programs ONLY (from the common startup locations) and if you're interested in other background tasks try AnswersThatWork

(2) I won't be including "Services" from the WinNT/2K/XP operating systems. I fully understand that some programs with these OS's use "Services" as an alternative to load their component parts at startup but I don't have the time available to include these as well. For Win2K services information see TechSpot's article here or Black Viper's article here. For WinXP services see TechSpot's article here or Black Viper's article here

HOW CAN I DISABLE THEM FROM RUNNING AT START-UP?

A number of methods can be prevent programs from running at startup. What these are how you use them is described here.

My recommendations are that you try each of the methods listed below in that order. Each method has an indication of which Windows operating system it is applicable to.

1) Using a program's own configuration options - Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

The best option is to check if a program gives you an option to disable the function you're interested in - via a right-click on a System Tray icon or maybe an "options" menu within the program. If this isn't available then you have to try something else.

For example, Norton SystemWorks has an "Options" tab on the main start-up screen that allows you to configure the utilities in the suite - Norton Utilities, Norton Antivirus and Norton Cleansweep.

2) Windows StartUp folder - Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

If you click on Start -> Programs -> StartUp (Win9x/Me/NT/2K) or Start -> All Programs -> StartUp (WinXP) you may find programs loading from here via shortcuts. If this is the case, you have two options :-

• Delete the shortcut from the StartUp directory (based on your OS):

  • Win9x/98/Me - C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp

  • WinNT/2K - C:\Winnt\Profiles\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp

  • WinXP - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

• Create a temporary directory for your OS called "Disabled StartUp Programs" and move the shortcuts there. If a program doesn't work as expected you can always move the relevant shortcut back again

  • Win9x/98/Me - C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

  • WinNT/2K - C:\Winnt\Profiles\All Users\Start Menu\Programs

  • WinXP - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs

3) System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG) - Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP

Work your way through the list of programs included here and deselect the appropriate boxes in your version then click OK followed by re-starting Windows.

Notes:

• When you have deselected an item in MSCONFIG, you will be starting in "Selective startup" mode. This can be seen under the "General" tab. Working in "Selective startup" mode is perfectly acceptable - I do and don't have a problem. Warning:  If you subsequently decide to choose "Normal startup", all disabled items will be re-enabled

• Some disabled items may disappear from MSCONFIG when you re-start Windows

• MSCONFIG is intended to be used to temporarily disable programs from running at system start-up. In some cases, disabled items may be added to a new category under Start -> Programs (Win9x/Me/NT/2K) or Start -> All Programs (WinXP) called "Disabled Startup Items". If the entry has disappeared from MSCONFIG and is available here they can be copied back into the appropriate OS StartUp directory:

  • Win9x/98/Me - C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp

  • WinNT/2K - C:\Winnt\Profiles\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp

  • WinXP - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

• For WinME users - If you have disabled items in MSCONFIG and at a later date uninstall the program they are associated with, you can click on the "Cleanup" button to verify and remove all invalid entries from the startup sections of the registry
• If there is an option within a program to disable parts of it running at start-up (see here) and you don't use that method to disable them, you may find they are re-enabled in MSCONFIG the next time the program runs

4) Use a 3rd party utility to control start-up programs - Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

There are a number of programs widely available as shareware or freeware that achieve the same purpose. One such is Peter Forrest's "StartMan". Two things that make Peter's program unique are that he has kindly linked to these pages and the list held here within the program and it also handles duplicate entries. Click on the thumbnail below for a screenshot:

"StartMan is a startup manager created to address some of the shortcomings in Microsoft's original System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG.EXE). MSCONFIG is primarily a troubleshooting tool, not a startup manager, and as such it does not permit the permanent removal of startups - they can only be disabled."

Peter also includes detailed information on the locations where startup programs reside in the documentation for "StartMan" here.

Want to try other start-up managers? Try from the list given here.

5) The System Registry - Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

Note: if you are running NT and don't have a startup manager you only have this choice remaining, which is a last resort.

You can both disable and permanently stop programs from running during start-up by editing the relevant entries from the System Registry using REGEDIT. This option isn't for the faint hearted and should only be used by those who are comfortable with editing the System Registry and understand what implications any changes may have. If you delete something from the System Registry accidentally, it may be corrupted to the extent that Windows may not re-start at all so beware.

For information about the Windows registry and editing it's contents try the Windows Guide Network registry pages.

To invoke the Registry Editor, click Start then Run. In the Open box, type regedit.exe followed by enter.

The keys you're interested in are as follows:-

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

THE PROGRAMS

The list of applications is available in one of four formats, updated every Thursday (where possible). If you're a regular visitor and just need to know what program entries have changed in the full list consult the Monthly Updates

• Full-list - searchable index to 27 tables on individual pages (26 letters and one for others) and a single page including all programs

• Full-list ZIP - for users who want see all 27 tables on the same page - also including the search facility . Includes a cascading style sheet (startups.css) that allows the page to be displayed the same off-line as the on-line version. Extract all files to the same directory

• All items - single page displaying all programs and descriptions

• Start_ups.exe - self-executable file with in-built browser and search capabilities

• Short-list - simple list without search facility for search engine cache purposes

All programs are listed alphabetically according to "Name" or "Startup Item" (from MSCONFIG, Registry, etc) rather than "Command" or "<filename>.exe".

I have marked each entry in the table according to a general consensus of opinions. Of course, you may disagree with some of these:

• "Y" - Normally leave to run at start-up

• "N" - Not required - 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"

Entries in the list highlighted with a ? and those in red indicate that they are unfinished. This may be due to:

• Missing information

• Functionality unknown

• Functionality known but whether it's needed at start-up is unknown

If you can help fill in the missing information then please let me know.

NEW & UPDATED ENTRIES

PLEASE READ THIS before submitting new programs to be added to the list. Submissions can be made via E-mail or the Message Board:

The following information would be useful:

• Program name: This is the descriptive part of the program entry, such as "NAV Agent" in this example and NOT the "<filename>.exe" or similar part as below. Some entries may be blank - if so just let me know

• File name: This is the actual file loaded by at start-up by the descriptive part above, such as NAVAPW32.EXE in this example. If possible include the location of the file as well. Some entries may be blank - if so just let me know

• Description: If you know what the program does then please include a simple description, referring to a host web-site if known. You can also use Start -> Search (or Find) to locate the executable on your PC and

  • Note the folder it's in

  • See if there's a "readme" file or similar

  • Right-click on the executable and check the "properties" for its name and who wrote it

• Is it needed: There are 4 options available

  • If the program must run at start up for correct operation the answer is Yes

  • If it's optional and could be useful the answer is User's Choice

  • If it's not needed at all or can be accessed via Start -> Programs or a Desktop Shortcut the answer is No

  • If it's known to be a wasteful "resource hog", spyware or a virus the answer is Ditch It

• Is there a shortcut available: See if the program is available via Start -> Programs and/or a Desktop shortcut

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SITE LINKS

MIRROR SITE:

Thanks to Mike Healan for providing the following mirrors:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/startup_content.htm - this page
http://www.spywareinfo.com/startup_pages/startups_short.htm - the short list in HTML format
http://www.spywareinfo.com/startup_pages/startup_full.htm - the full list in HTML format
http://www.spywareinfo.com/startup_pages/startups_full.zip - the zipped version of the full list
http://www.spywareinfo.com/startup_pages/start_ups.exe - the self-executable
http://www.spywareinfo.com/startup_pages/Updates/updates.htm - the updates page

OTHER LINKS:

Startups:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q177/2/85.asp - By Microsoft.

Knowledge Base article explains the purpose behind MSCONFIG and why you may see double entries

Streamlining Startups - By PCForrest

Author of "StartMan" which links to the program list referred to by this site. You can also see the author's original list of applications with a very good explanation of what you can do to prevent them running

http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/index.htm - By DJDenham

Another list of applications good explanation of the background to this page

http://www.lafn.org/webconnect/mentor/startup/index.html - by John Mayer

An alternative version of displaying the information in my full startup list

Startup managers:

The following startup managers and other utilities use the information from this site:

Ace Utilities from Hari Krishnan

jv16 PowerTools from Jouni Vuorio

Spybot - Search & Destroy from Patrick Kolla

StartMan from Peter Forrest

Spyware:

http://www.cexx.org/

Counterexploitation - "Actively protect your rights. Do not let the Man keep you down. Do what is good and right, not what some authority figure tells you is good and right. Challenge the belief systems of yourself and your society. Stay informed and keep others informed. Use logic and reason for positive social change. And above all, don't take crap from anybody!"

Good site for learning more about spyware, other silent install apps and "craputers". Slightly controversial in places but useful resource.

http://www.spychecker.com/

"Not sure if the free software you are about to download is in fact a so called Spyware or Adware or otherwise advertising enhanced product that installs additional third party components on your system?"

SpywareInfo

"This site is dedicated to giving you the tools and knowledge you need to protect your privacy from the onslaught of spyware, adware, and corporate and government surveillance. Particular attention is paid to detecting and defeating spyware"

Darnit

Sandra Hardmeier is one Microsoft's Most Valued Professionals (MVP) and this page on her site is dedicated to spware/adware/malware, hijackers and other annoyances

PestPatrol

Alphabetical list and descriptions of common spware/adware/malware and other annoyances plus software to eliminate these and tojans, etc

Ad-aware

Free multi-spyware removal tool from Lavasoft

Spybot - Search & Destroy

Free multi-spyware removal tool from Patrick Kolla

Spyware Eliminator

Aluria Software's multi-spyware removal tool

Services:

TechSpot

For hardware and software tweaking, reviews and news. Includes their guides to Win2K and WinXP services

Black Viper

Features OS install guides and tricks. Includes guides to Win2K and WinXP services

Tasks:

AnswersThatWork

An online helpdesk with answers to questions on hardware, software, configuration and others. Includes a companion list of background programs (or tasks) as listed by name when you press CTRL+ALT+DEL to display the "Close Program" or "Task Manager" windows.

General Help:

http://www.rselby.com/Windows.html - Rick Selby's Microsoft Windows Help Page

Useful tips and tricks for Windows covering topics as diverse as installing Windows to defragmenting and error messages