osa.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
N	Microsoft Office	osa.exe	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
X	Microsoft Office quick launch	OSA.exe	"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"
N	Microsoft Office Startup	osa.exe	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
X	Microsoft quick launch	OSA.exe	"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"
X	mmxrun	msosa.exe	Added by an unidentified TROJAN or WORM!
X	msfindosa.exe	msfindosa.exe	"Added by the DOWNLOADER-BS TROJAN!"
N	Office Startup	osa.exe	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
X	SeekmoSA	SeekmoSA.exe	"180Solutions.Seekmo adware variant - also see here"
X	ZangoSA	ZangoSA.exe	"Zango Search Assistant adware"

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.