MSNMSGR.EXE

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Key:

"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"
"?" - Unknown

	Startup Name	Process Name	Details
X	Configuration Loader	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by the SDBOT-SO 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%"
X	ctfmon	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by the BDOOR-JV BACKDOOR! 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%"
N	Messenger	MsnMsgr.exe	"Windows Live Messenger (was MSN Messenger) utility - available via the Start menu. Disable by clicking on the ""Show menu"" icon and select Tools → Options → General → deselect ""Automatically run Windows Live Messenger when I log on to Windows"". This is the Windows Defender/Vista MSConfig entry for version 8.*"
X	Microsoft System Firewall 2006.2	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by a variant of the SDBOT 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%"
X	Microsoft Windows Update	MSNMSGR.EXE	"Added by the SDBOT-WM 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%"
X	MSN	msnmsgr.exe	"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%"
X	Msn Messager	msnmsgr.exe	"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%"
X	MSN Messenger	msnmsgr.exe	"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%"
N	MSN Messenger	MsnMsgr.exe	"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"""
X	Msn Messengers	MSNMSGR.EXE	"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%"
X	MSN Tray Monitor	msnmsgr.exe	"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"
X	MsnMessengerSvc	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by a variant of the RBOT 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%"
N	msnmsgr	msnmsgr.exe	"Windows Live Messenger or the older MSN Messenger utility - available via the Start menu. For Windows Live Messenger
X	MsnMsgr	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by the ANNEW-FAM 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%"
X	Msnmsgr.exe	lsass.exe	"Added by the DWNLDR-GWE TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate lsass.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in the root directory (i.e. C:\ or D:\)"
X	picview	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by the BANLOA-AF 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 %Windir%"
X	SN Messenger	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by the RBOT-AVP 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%"
X	SysCom	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by the BANK-AF 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 LiveMessenger. This one is located in %Windir%\system"
X	Windows Live Messenger	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by a variant of the RBOT 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%"
N	Windows Live Messenger	msnmsgr.exe	"Windows Live Messenger (was MSN Messenger) utility - available via the Start menu. Disable by clicking on the ""Show menu"" icon and select Tools → Options → Sign In → deselect ""Automatically run Windows Live Messenger when I log on to Windows"". This is the Windows Defender/Vista MSConfig entry for version 14.*"
X	Windows Login	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by the AGOBOT-UC 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%"
X	Windows Service Agent	msnmsgr.exe	"Added by the RBOT.ABIK BACKDOOR! 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%"

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.