"Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here. Note - this is not the legitimate winlogon.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup!"
"Added by the AGOBOT.BY WORM! Note - this is not the valid NVIDIA Driver Helper Service and is located in the System (9x/Me) or System32 (NT/2K/XP) folder"
"MatrixDialer related. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The ""MSA64CHK.dll"" file is located in the Winnt or Windows folder"
GetRight from Headlight Software - download manager for resuming downloads and choosing multiple download locations. The freeware version is/was spyware. The registered version isn't if you don't install the Aureate/Radiate software. Available via Start -> Programs
"MatrixDialer related. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted. The ""MSA64CHK.dll"" file is located in the Winnt or Windows folder"
"MacDrive 7 from Mediafour Corporation - ""enables anyone using Windows Vista XP and 2003 Server to seamlessly access Mac disks (HFS/HFS+) of all types including CDs DVDs hard drives floppy Zip Jaz and more!"""
"Detected by Kaspersky as the AGENT.AOU TROJAN! See here. Note that rundll32.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch DLL file types and shouldn't be deleted"
"Part of SpyCatcher spyware remover from Tenebril. Prevents rogue programs from sending personal information to a remote user via the Internet. If you use SpyCatcher with real time scanning you'll want to leave this file in place"
"Giganews Accelerator from Giganews Inc. - ""a software-based news proxy which will allow you to compress headers and enable 256-bit SSL encryption regardless of whether or not SSL is supported natively by your news client"""
"Added by the ZAPCHAS-R TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate svchost.exe process which should NOT appear in Msconfig/Startup and is always located in the System32 folder. This worm file is found in the System folder"
"Added by the ZAPCHAS-AA TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate svchost.exe process which is always located in the System (9x/Me) or System32 (NT/2K/XP) folder and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one replaces svchost.exe in the System32 folder with a copy of Mirc on (NT/2K/XP) systems and just adds svchost.exe to the System folder on (9x/Me) systems"
"Roxio's (nee Adaptec) GoBack software which allows you to revert back to a previously working state on you hard drive if you install a new program and your system goes faulty - performing the same functions with extra features as System Restore on WinMe/XP systems. Disable before running Scandisk or Defrag. Not required for WinMe/XP users recommended for Win9x/NT/2K users"
"System Tray icon access to Roxio's (nee Adaptec) GoBack software which allows you to revert back to a previously working state on you hard drive if you install a new program and your system goes faulty - performing the same functions with extra features as System Restore on WinMe/XP systems. Disable before running Scandisk or Defrag. Not required for WinMe/XP users recommended for Win9x/NT/2K users"
"Roxio's (nee Adaptec) GoBack software which allows you to revert back to a previously working state on you hard drive if you install a new program and your system goes faulty - performing the same functions with extra features as System Restore on WinMe/XP systems. Disable before running Scandisk or Defrag. Not required for WinMe/XP users recommended for Win9x/NT/2K users"
"Roxio's (nee Adaptec) GoBack software which allows you to revert back to a previously working state on you hard drive if you install a new program and your system goes faulty - performing the same functions with extra features as System Restore on WinMe/XP systems. Disable before running Scandisk or Defrag. Not required for WinMe/XP users recommended for Win9x/NT/2K users"
Goldensoft CD Ghost related - turns a computer into a 200X-speed CD-ROM tower. Working from the hard drive users can simultaneously access as many as 23 virtual CD-ROM drives at a speed of 200X for true multitasking
"Added by the DLOADER-ET TROJAN! 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 a ""golumm"" subfolder"
"Google Desktop Search - ""a desktop search application that provides full text search over your email computer files chats and the web pages you've viewed. By making your computer searchable Google Desktop Search puts your information easily within your reach and frees you from having to manually organize your files emails and bookmarks"""
"Google Desktop Search - ""a desktop search application that provides full text search over your email computer files chats and the web pages you've viewed. By making your computer searchable Google Desktop Search puts your information easily within your reach and frees you from having to manually organize your files emails and bookmarks"""
"Google Pinyin Input Method Editor (IME) - allows a user to input Chinese characters by entering the pinyin of a Chinese character (with or without tone depending on the system) and then presenting the user with a list of possible characters with that pronunciation"
"Google Compute Client - only present if you installed the Google Toolbar with ""Google Compute"" client active. Does complex calculations in the background when idle. If you want to turn it off go to your browser click on the little double-helix on the Google Toolbar and click ""Stop Computing"". No longer supported"
"ExpertCity GoToMyPc logon - web-based remote-access solution that allows individuals and companies to register their computers online and then securely access those computers from any web browser"
"GotSmiley - ad supported program that provides the user with smileys for use in emails. Not recommended. Please note that Claria Corporation no longer support GAIN-Supported software - see here"
Looks at system resources at startup and warns you if they have dropped. Contains links to the Disk Clean Up Defrag and Start Up Menu. It does have a link to a startup configuration utility. Similar to msconfig but can keep a list of disabled apps. Not really necessary. Only appears if you load the Gateway Startup Utility
"Looks like it's associated with Gravis game controllers and the Keyset Manager allowing the user to program the buttons for games that don't support them"
"Driver for Gravis game controllers such as the Eliminator Aftershock. Must be loaded if you run the supplied application software for the controller to be recognized. Start it manually via a shortcut if not used"
"X-Stream ISP software. Offers free Net access funded by on-screen ads. Is it required or can you create your own dial-up networking connection to use on demand?"
"Added by the GPREMIER WORM! Note that wscript.exe is a legitimate Microsoft file used to launch script files and shouldn't be deleted. The ""gpremier.vbs"" file is found in the System (9x/Me) or System32 (NT/2K/XP) folder"
"""Groove Virtual Office uses a peer-to-peer networking model to connect users in Groove Workspaces. In these workspaces geographically dispersed coworkers can do almost everything they could do in the same office. They can hold online meetings store files and folders save threaded discussions scribble on whiteboards share calendars and track project information and timelines."" Formerly by Groove Networks - now owned by Microsoft and part of MS Office"
"Microsoft Office Groove 2007 - Groove Folder Sharing synchronization (GFS). If you kill it your GFS workspaces may not synchronize properly (particularly around unread-marks) and you might experience some nagging discomfort"
"Microsoft Windows Program Group Converter - used by installers (ONLY in the RunOnce keys) - provides the translation of groups and group items to folders and links. Also see this MS Knowledge Base article"
"ADSL modem monitor from Eicon Networks (as used by BT for its Broadband internet service for example). Can safely be disabled without affecting the connection - all this does is give an indication of connectivity and access to the diagnostic facilities"
McAfee's QuickClean an offline version of the one in their online Clinic. Normally run offline and not needed. Incidentally incorporates more cleanup programs than the likes of WinOptimizer and System Mechanic
From a visitor - "I must keep it active in start up or my Lexmark printer and RCA Cam program cannot discover a working port to work". From the file properties the file is known as "Smart Thru Fax Drive Spy" and is supplied by Samsung
"Used with internal modems on Gateway PCs such as the 450SX Notebook. Required for audio settings to be maintained and does not remain in memory once run. See here for more information"
Gigabyte utility manager. Loads if you have a Gigabyte motherboard and got a full bundle of utilities installed. Monitors CPU fans BIOS etc. Only used by system "tweakers"
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.
This is NOT a list of tasks/processes taken from Task Manager
or the Close Program window (CTRL+ALT+DEL) but a list 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
WinTasks 5 Standard/Professional from LIUtilities or the list at
AnswersThatWork. 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.