mstask.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	Mstask	mstask.exe	"Added by the OPASERV.N WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate mstask.exe system file and the executable resides in %Windir%"
X	mstask	mstask.exe	"Browser hijacker - redirecting to find-more.net. Note - this is not the legitimate mstask.exe system file"
U	Planl�gningsagent	mstask.exe	"Windows Task Scheduler (on Danish language versions of Windows) - displayed as a box with a stopwatch in the System Tray. Required if you have regularly scheduled tasks like defragmenting
U	SchedulingAgent	mstask.exe	"MS Scheduling Agent in Win98/Me/2K - displayed as a box with a stopwatch in the System Tray that is only needed if you have regular scheduled disk defragmenting
X	SchedulingAgent	mstask.exe	Added by unidentified MALWARE! Note - this is not the MS Scheduling Agent in Win98/Me/2K. This one also loads via the HKLM\RunServices registry key but is located in %System% on a WinXP machine - where a file of that name does not normally exist

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.