NOTEPAD.exe

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If you're not finding what you're looking for please go to this forum and submit a new startup entry.

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	(Default)	NOTEPAD.exe	"Added by the RUSTY WORM! Note - not to be confused with the valid Windows ""NOTEPAD"" text editor! Note - this malware actually changes the value data of the ""(Default)"" key in HKLM\Run in order to force Windows to launch it at boot. The name field in MSConfig may be blank"
X	Microsoft NotePad	notepad.exe	"Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM!"
X	Notepad lptt01	notepad.exe	"RapidBlaster variant (in a ""Notepad"" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here. Note - this is not Windows Notepad which has the same executable name"
X	Notepad ml097e	notepad.exe	"RapidBlaster variant (in a ""Notepad"" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here. Note - this is not Windows Notepad which has the same executable name"
X	notepad.exe	upx.exe	Added by a variant of the AGENT.AH TROJAN!
X	notepad.exe	msmsgs.exe	"Added by the ZLOB TROJAN and variants! 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"
X	[random name]	notepad.exe	"PurityScan adware. Note - this is not Windows Notepad which has the same executable name"

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.