"Windows Messenger instant messenger utility included with Windows 2K/XP. Available via the Start menu. Go to Windows Messenger → Tools → Options → Preferences and uncheck ""Run this program when Windows starts"""
"Added by the SILLYFDC-AP WORM! Note - this particular msmsgs.exe file is located in %System% and should not be mistaken for the MSN Messenger file of the same name which is located in %Program Files%\Messenger"
"Added by the SCLOG-AL TROJAN! Note - this particular msmsgs.exe file is located in %System% and should not be mistaken for the MSN Messenger file of the same name which is located in %Program Files%\Messenger"
"Added by the BRONTOK-BS WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate winlogon.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in Documents and Settings\<User>\Local Settings\Application Data\WINDOWS"
"Added by the VB.FQX TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
"Added by the MYTOB or MYTOB.B WORMS! Note - this is not the valid MSN Messenger (now Windows Live Messenger) utility which is located in either %ProgramFiles%\MSN Messenger or %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Messenger. This one is located in %System%"
"Added by the PROSTI.AA BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate winlogon.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%\Media"
"Added by the PUSHBOT.FA WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate svchost.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%"
"Added by the DOWNLOADER.19456.C TROJAN! Note - this is not the valid MSN Messenger (now Windows Live Messenger) utility which is located in either %ProgramFiles%\MSN Messenger or %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Messenger. This one is located in %System%"
"Added by the AGOBOT.AOQ WORM! Note - this is not the valid MSN Messenger (now Windows Live Messenger) utility which is located in either %ProgramFiles%\MSN Messenger or %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Messenger. This one is located in %System%"
"Added by the ZLOB TROJAN! Note - this particular msmsgs.exe file is located in %System% and should not be mistaken for the MSN Messenger file of the same name which is located in %Program Files%\Messenger"
"MSN Messenger utility (now replaced by Windows Live Messenger) - available via the Start menu. Disable by clicking on Tools → Options → General → deselect ""Automatically run Messenger when I log on to Windows"""
"Added by the RBOT.KX WORM! Note - this is not the valid MSN Messenger (now Windows Live Messenger) utility which is located in either %ProgramFiles%\MSN Messenger or %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Messenger. This one is located in %System%"
"System Tray access to Windows Desktop Search for XP from Microsoft - which adds additional search options including a search box on the Taskbar. For this version
"MSN Toolbar from version 4.* onwards (now known as Bing Bar from version 5.* onwards). This entry loads the toolbar into memory at start-up before you open your internet browser. Not required - it will load with the browser and remains in memory after the browser is closed"
"Added by the SDBOT.FKX WORM! Note - this is not the valid MSN Messenger (now Windows Live Messenger) utility which is located in either %ProgramFiles%\MSN Messenger or %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Messenger. This one is located in %System%\inetsrv"
"Added by the AGOBOT-NL WORM! Note - this particular msmsgs.exe file is located in %System% and should not be mistaken for the MSN Messenger file of the same name which is located in %Program Files%\Messenger"
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.