"Unidentified malware! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a ""Level4"" subfolder"
"Added by the BANCBAN-ET TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a ""Central de Segurança"" subfolder"
"Added by the RBOT-AOF WORM! Note - the executable is spelt with a lower case ""L"" rather than an lower or upper case ""i"" which is the case with Internet Explorer"
"Added by the QQROB-R 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 ADUYO-A TROJAN! 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 a variant of the RBOT WORM! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%"
"Added by the RANKY.X TROJAN! 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 either a ""config""
"Added by the AGENT.AGV BACKDOOR! 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 %Windir%\etc"
"Added by the RBOT.ARM WORM! 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 %Windir%\winsock"
MS WebTV for Windows. Used to display TV on your PC via a compatible video card with in-built tuner (such as ATI All-In-Wonder). If you don't use it - uninstall it
"Added by the RBOT-SG WORM! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%"
"Added by the PUSHBOT.QD 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%"
"Supports multiple languages and alternative method inputs in Windows and MS Office. The language bar is displayed alongside the System Tray if more than one keyboard layout is enabled (for switching input languages) or
"Part of MSN Toolbar from version 4.* onwards (renamed ""Bing Bar"" from version 5.* onwards) which includes the Bing search engine. Via Start → All Programs → Microsoft Default Manager you can elect to keep Bing as the default search engine and set it to notify you of any changes to your browsers default settings. Not required if you choose not to use Bing"
"Added by the RBOT.BMS BACKDOOR! 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 AGENT.AJQG 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 POEBOT-LY WORM! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%"
From older versions of MS Office - searches disk drives for Office file types and creates an index to make opening them easier. When indexing is in progress it can use lots of CPU time and memory - especially on slower/older machines
"Added by the SDBOT.EXT 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 FORBOT-AG WORM! 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%"
"Microsoft IntelliPoint utility (up to version 5.4) - required to support the programmable buttons and additional features on Microsoft's range of mice
"Added by the POEBOT-J WORM! 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 IRCBOT-AK TROJAN! 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 a ""drivers"" subfolder"
"Added by the RBOT-AMM WORM! Note - the executable is spelt with a lower case ""L"" rather than an lower or upper case ""i"" which is the case with Internet Explorer"
"Added by the FORBOT-DV WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate msconfig.exe which should only appear in Msconfig/Startup if you leave the warning box unchecked after changing an Msconfig entry and rebooting"
"Added by the BUZUS.AYX 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"
On older versions of MS Office this launches common Office components to help speed up the launch of Office programs. On slower machines it can be a resource hog and some users claim there's no difference with or without it - but it usually isn't required. This must be left enabled if you use the Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar (MSOFFICE.EXE) and have set it to load at startup. Available via Start → All Programs
Feature included with older versions of MS Office giving you access to common Office functions and optional shortcuts to Office (and other) programs. Some people prefer it but a better way is to create desktop shortcuts if you want access these features and programs quickly. Also available via Start → All Programs
On older versions of MS Office this launches common Office components to help speed up the launch of Office programs. On slower machines it can be a resource hog and some users claim there's no difference with or without it - but it usually isn't required. This must be left enabled if you use the Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar (MSOFFICE.EXE) and have set it to load at startup. Available via Start → All Programs
"Added by the RBOT-ZI WORM! - NOTE - do no confuse with the legitimate Msoicons.exe file described here. The latter wil not be listed among your startups!"
"Added by the IBOT-A TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Machine Debug Manager (mdm.exe) process which is located in %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug (98/Me/XP/Vista) or C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM (Me only)"
"Part of SharePoint Server 2010 which is part of the Microsoft Office 2010 suite. ""Business Connectivity Services (BCS) uses a cache to store a copy of the external data required by the BCS solutions deployed on the Office client. A process called BCSSync.EXE runs on the client and provides automatic cache refresh and data synchronization of the entity instances."" For more information - see here"
"System Tray access to and alerts for MS Office Groove - a stand-alone product or included with the Enterprise/Ultimate versions of MS Office 2007. ""A collaboration software program that helps teams work together dynamically and effectively
"Added by the VBOT.A BACKDOOR! Note that OSA.exe was used in older versions of Office to launch common components to help speed up the launch but it is no longer normally used - see here. This file is located in a valid MS Office 2003 (aka Office 11) directory - %Program Files%\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11 - and may overwrite a valid file"
Feature included with older versions of MS Office giving you access to common Office functions and optional shortcuts to Office (and other) programs. Some people prefer it but a better way is to create desktop shortcuts if you want access these features and programs quickly. Also available via Start → All Programs
On older versions of MS Office this launches common Office components to help speed up the launch of Office programs. On slower machines it can be a resource hog and some users claim there's no difference with or without it - but it usually isn't required. This must be left enabled if you use the Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar (MSOFFICE.EXE) and have set it to load at startup. Available via Start → All Programs
On older versions of MS Office this launches common Office components to help speed up the launch of Office programs. On slower machines it can be a resource hog and some users claim there's no difference with or without it - but it usually isn't required. This must be left enabled if you use the Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar (MSOFFICE.EXE) and have set it to load at startup. Available via Start → All Programs
"Added by the IRCBOT.ALT 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"
"Signs a user into the People Near Me feature at login in Windows 7 and Vista. People Near Me enables you to use certain peer-to-peer (P2P) programs on a network - that ""identifies people nearby who are using computers and allows those people to send you invitations for programs such as Windows Meeting Space. They can only invite you to participate in programs that are installed on your computer."" Available via Start → Control Panel"
"Added by a variant of the VBOT.A BACKDOOR! Note that OSA.exe was used in older versions of Office to launch common components to help speed up the launch but it is no longer normally used - see here. This file is located in a valid MS Office 2003 (aka Office 11) directory - %Program Files%\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11 - and may overwrite a valid file"
"Added by the SHEUR.HC TROJAN! Note - this is not the valid Windows registry editor which resides in %Windir% and will not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This version resides in %System%"
"System Tray access to a notifications from Microsoft Security Essentials which ""provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses
"Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! Note - this is NOT the popular Winamp media player which resides in a ""Winamp"" subdirectory of the Program Files directory"
"Added by the RBOT.TU WORM! Note - this is NOT the popular Winamp media player which is located in %ProgramFiles%\Winamp. This one is located in %System%"
"Added by the KRYNOS.B 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%\Help"
"Added by the ALETS 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 %Windir%"
This is a Blue version of the yellow speaker icon on the system tray and is used to edit advanced Sound Features that the MS DSS80 Speakers add. Should be accessible via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel
"Microsoft Sticky Notes - virtual sticky notes tool from Windows Vista. This implementation of the popular yellow ""Post-It"" tool is part of the Tablet PC features and allows you to enter either handwriting (via a pen or mouse) or record a voice note. AVailable via Start → All Programs"
"Added by the SDBOT-AEA WORM! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%"
Entry that appears when you uncheck an item in the MSConfig Startup group and will disappear if on the next reboot you select the option to not be reminded that you are running in Selective Startup mode. Located in %System% (98/Me/Vista) or %Windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries (XP)
"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%"
"Added by the RBOT.AEU BACKDOOR! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%"
"Added by the RBOT-ARF WORM! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%"
"Added by the RBOT.AWS WORM! Note - do no confuse with the legitimate Msoicons.exe file described here. The latter should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup!"
On older versions of MS Office this launches common Office components to help speed up the launch of Office programs. On slower machines it can be a resource hog and some users claim there's no difference with or without it - but it usually isn't required. This must be left enabled if you use the Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar (MSOFFICE.EXE) and have set it to load at startup. Available via Start → All Programs
"Added by the SDBOT-DOO WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Machine Debug Manager (mdm.exe) process which is located in %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug (98/Me/XP/Vista) or C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM (Me only)"
"Added by the KALEL-A WORM! Note - this worm replaces the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup!"
System Tray access to Windows Desktop Search for XP from Microsoft - which adds additional search options including a search box on the Taskbar. This version (3.0.1) also includes the Windows Search (WSearch) service which indexes files and e-mails items so you can quickly find words and phrases. Disabling this entry does not affect the normal operation and this is the Windows Defender entry
"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 (2.6.*)
"Added by the PROXYSER-R TROJAN! 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%"
"System Tray access to Windows Search 4.0 for XP from Microsoft - which adds additional search options including a search box on the Taskbar. This version also includes the Windows Search (WSearch) service which indexes files and e-mails items so you can quickly find words and phrases. Disabling this entry does not affect the normal operation"
"Added by the PROXYSER-R TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate smss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%"
"Windows Sidebar is a pane on the side of the Microsoft Windows Vista desktop where you can keep your gadgets organized and always available. In Windows 7 this feature is known as Desktop Gadgets and each gadget can be placed anywhere on the desktop. If the file isn't located in %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar or you're using other versions of Windows it could be part of the Searchcentrix hijacker"
"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%"
"Added by the KEBEDE-G WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%\Systems32"
"Added by the AUTORUN.DVE WORM! 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 %Windir%"
"Added by the BANCBAN-DB TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a ""s1613"" subfolder"
"Added by the BANKER-DJ TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a ""protect"" subfolder"
"Added by the BANKER-DP TROJAN! ! Note - this is not the legitimate csrss.exe process which is always located in %System% and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a ""JavaVM"" subfolder"
If you schedule an event at any time in Microsoft Works Calendar and set a reminder then a shortcut will be added to Start → All Programs → Startup so this reminder service loads every time Windows starts
The Works Portfolio tool lets you collect and organize text and pictures from the Web or your favorite program. The Works Portfolio provides a location where you can store items you want to later put into a document or other file. Can be prevented from starting from a setting within Portfolio
"Added by the IRCBOT-ACO 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%\dllcache"
"Windows Sidebar is a pane on the side of the Microsoft Windows Vista desktop where you can keep your gadgets organized and always available. In Windows 7 this feature is known as Desktop Gadgets and each gadget can be placed anywhere on the desktop. If the file isn't located in %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar or you're using other versions of Windows it could be part of the Searchcentrix hijacker"
"Signs a user into the People Near Me feature at login in Windows 7 and Vista. People Near Me enables you to use certain peer-to-peer (P2P) programs on a network - that ""identifies people nearby who are using computers and allows those people to send you invitations for programs such as Windows Meeting Space. They can only invite you to participate in programs that are installed on your computer."" Available via Start → Control Panel"
"Microsoft Sticky Notes - virtual sticky notes tool from Windows Vista. This implementation of the popular yellow ""Post-It"" tool is part of the Tablet PC features and allows you to enter either handwriting (via a pen or mouse) or record a voice note. AVailable via Start → All Programs"
If you schedule an event at any time in Microsoft Works Calendar and set a reminder then a shortcut will be added to Start → All Programs → Startup so this reminder service loads every time Windows starts
If you schedule an event at any time in Microsoft Works Calendar and set a reminder then a shortcut will be added to Start → All Programs → Startup so this reminder service loads every time Windows starts
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.
Copyright 2003-2013 iamnotageek &/or Martin Krohn.