I would like to thank Paul Collins for letting me use his list for this section on my site. This list is taken from Paul's site. You can also view the startup contents on his site. Since this list is too big, I have taken some time to split it into two sections. The first section (this one) will have the letters A-L (including alpha-numeric) and the second section will have the letters M-Z.

This is NOT a list of tasks 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. Therefore, please don't send E-mails asking what <filename.exe> (or <filename>) is as I won't respond. For a list of tasks try AnswersThatWork

Spyware/Adware/Malware & Hijackers

Check SpywareInfo for information about these types of program. They have a very active forum and a list of programs that may remove them here.

To find a program in this list by "Name", "Startup Item" or <filename>.<extension> (ie, "systray.exe") use your browser's find facility. For example, for Internet Explorer you can use CTRL+F.

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"

Alphanumeric index

Num  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Num

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A

	Name/Startup Item	Command	Comments
U	A1000 Settings Utility	cpqa1000.exe	Compaq A1000 Print Fax All-in-One copy scan printer software. Required in the Startup in order to scan, print, copy and fax. Only required if you use these features
?	AAAKeyboard	??	??
N	AAATraySaver	TraySaver.exe	System Tray management utility from Mike Lin which allows you to hide, show, restore icons that are lost in an Explorer crash, remove dead tray icons, minimize any window to the System Tray
X	ABC	keylogger.exe	Monitors keystrokes so you can check if someone has typed anything while your away from your PC. Reported as spyware by SpyCop in their FAQ
N	ABBYY Community Agent	CAGENT.EXE	Installed with the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software that comes bundled with a Compaq A3000 all-in-one printer/scanner. Its function appears to be to link you to the internet in an attempt to buy the 5.0 version of the software
X	ABsr	absr.exe	Added as a result of the AUTOUPDER VIRUS!
X	abtu	mp3serch.exe lopsearch.exe	Loads the executable for Lop.com. mp3serch.exe is the final version whilst lopsearch.exe is the beta version
N	Access Ramp Monitor	armon32.exe	Monitors your progress on the internet; hang-ups, connection speeds, internet congestion and traffic flow. It prevents some games from running also. To disable the Access Ramp Monitor (1) Open Windows Explorer (2) Open the Program Files folder (3) Open the MindSpring folder (4) Open the AccessRamp folder (5) Double-click on the ARMCfg32.exe file (6) Uncheck Enable Dialup Monitor and click OK (7) Restart the computer and try again
N	AccessRamp Monitor01	ARMon32a.exe	From a visitor "Just wanted to provide you with some info on Access Ramp software installed with Verizon DSL accounts in those areas that use the Winpoet PPPoE software. The Access Ramp TSRs are installed as part of IP Insight software (can't remember the software maker). You can decline to install IP Insight during Winpoet setup, or go into Add/Remove programs uninstall IP Insight by hand if it's already installed. It really doesn't do a darn thing for you. It was intended to help DSL techs monitor QoS, but the backend part was never implemented (at least as of earlier this year). This will not affect the user's ability or inability to access their DSL service."
N	AccessRampLAN01	ARUpld32.exe	Version of the above for LAN connections - a history uploader. The key in turning it off is a file named ARUCfg32.exe. This file (ARUCfg32.exe) does not show up in the startup process. If you have this file, you can execute it and remove all the monitoring activities it does. Removing all the checks in all the boxes (both tabs) still calls ARUpld32.exe to start when you start the dial up. You can block it from sending info if you have Zone Alarm installed. Renaming the extension of ARUCfg32.exe to ARUCfg32.exe1 works. The ARUpld32.exe is not loaded when launching the dial up client
?	AcerPowerkey	??	PowerKey utility for Acer TravelMate notebook PCs. What does it do and is it needed?
X	acocash	fastdown.exe	Adult content dialler
U	Acombo3dmouse	Acombo3d.exe	Mouse driver - required if you use non-standard Windows driver features
U	acoustic	acoustic.exe	Control panel program for Philips Acoustic Edge soundcard. Not required unless changed settings aren't retained
?	acpart	agpart11.exe	??
N	Acrobat Assistant	ACROTRAY.EXE	If you want to create a PDF using Acrobat Distiller, you can execute this program manually just before doing so
N	Action Manager 32	am32.exe	Associated with a Plustech scanner. Small utility that runs in the background for doing fax/copy/etc. Available via Start -> Programs
N	Activation	Activation.exe	Part of Microsoft Money
U	Activboard	MMKeybd.exe	Packard Bell ActiveBoard keyboard - multimedia keyboard manager. Required if you use the additional keys and want to see the status of the Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock keys
N	ActiveEyes	ActiveEyes.exe	ActiveEyes from TFI Technology
U	ActiveMenu	ActiveMenu.exe	Goes with WildTangent demo games that come with some HP computers. Unchecking it can prevent the games from running occasionally
U	ActivePlus	activeplus.exe	Interactive Agents Plugin for Messenger Plus! (MSN Messenger add-on)
Y	ActiveShield	MCVSSHLD.EXE	McAfee VirusScan On-line. See also McAgentExe
N	ActivSurf	backweb*****.exe	Packard Bell ActivSurf - automatically detects an internet connection and downloads any available updates
U	AD2KClient	AD2KClient.exe	Executable for Active Disk from Iomega disk - allows software applications to be run directly from an Iomega Zip® disk. Required if you wish the applications to launch on insertion of a disk
N	Adaptec DirectCD	Directcd.exe	DirectCD primarily allows you to drag and drop files onto a suitably formatted CD-RW disc. Unless you use this on a frequent basis it isn't required and is available via Start -> Programs. Start the program before inserting a DirectCD formatted CD-RW in the drive. A re-boot is recommended if you close Adaptec DirectCD before re-opening it again later
N	Adaware Bootup	ad-aware.exe	Ad-aware from Lavasoft. Checks your PC for "Spyware" which reports back your internet activities to "base". Available via Start -> Programs
N	ADGJdet	ADGJDet.exe	Added with SoundBlaster Live! or Audigy soundcards for headphone autodetection
U	Ad-Muncher	ADMUNCH.EXE	Ad Muncher removes adverts, pop-ups and general annoyances in your browser, file-sharing and messenger programs. Causes conflicts with Outlook, game sites and web-building applications
U	Adobe Gamma Loader	Adobe Gamma Loader.exe	Adjusts monitor colours across all programs, including Photoshop. It is needed by some graphics professionals who want their monitor calibrated. Most home users will not need it. In my case I can verify this as Photoshop loads fine
?	Ad Online Guide	adonlineguide.exe	??
X	adp	adp.exe	Spyware installed by Net2Phone, Limewire, Cydoor, Grokster, KaZaa, etc
N	ADQuickAccess	Adtray.exe	After Dark for Windows. Screen saver creation program produced before screen savers became integrated into Win95
U	ADService	ADService.exe	Part of Iomega's Active Disk - allows software applications to be run directly from an Iomega Zip® disk. Required if you wish the applications to launch on insertion of a disk
U	AdsGone	Adsgone.exe	AdsGone - pop-up stopper
N	ADSL Diagnostic Tools	mapiicon.exe	System tray access to ADSL modem diagnostic tools. Available via Start -> Programs
Y	ADSS	ADSS.exe	ADSS is part of Access Denied security and privacy software (Access Denied Security Server) that monitors power status and provides some other services for Screen Guard. Important to keep its running while using Access Denied
U	AdSubtract	adsub.exe	AdSubtract blocks ads, cookies, pop-up windows, animations, music, and more. Can be disabled from within AdSubtract. Available via Start -> Programs
U	ADUserMon	ADUserMon.exe	Part of Iomega's Active Disk - allows software applications to be run directly from an Iomega Zip® disk. Required if you wish the applications to launch on insertion of a disk
N	Advanced Tools Check	ADVCHK.EXE	Checks when you install a new version of a Norton product that you have uninstalled all previous versions. Serves as a reminder if you forget
X	Advapi	Advapi.exe	Added as a result of the NETDEVIL.12 (NetDevil 1.2) VIRUS!
U	Advertising Killer	Akiller.exe	AKiller - pop-up stopper
N	AELaunch	AELaunch.exe	Audio Applications Launcher for the Philips Acoustic Edge soundcard
U	AEZBProc	aptezbp.exe	IBM Aptiva keyboard customizer - enables certain special buttons on keyboard for CD operation, volume control, and few quickstart buttons. Keyboard will work without it but you lose the special functions
N	Agent	Agent.exe	Cyberlink Power VCR II 3.0 is a TV tuner recording utility. If you want to schedule recordings you'll need this, otherwise can be disabled. Available via Start -> Programs
U	AgfaCLnk	AgfaCLnk.exe	For Agfa digital cameras connected via USB. Enables Windows to access the contents of the memory stick (while the stick's still on the camera) via a virtual drive
Y	AGRSMMSG	AGRSMMSG.exe	IBM AMR modem driver
N	AGSatellite	AGSatellite.exe	Program from AudioGalaxy that lets you download some MP3s from their server. Available via Start -> Programs
N	AHQInit	ahqinit.exe	Part of AudioHQ for the Soundblaster Live!. Appears as though it makes the AudioHW toolbar drop down from the top of the desktop and isn't required
N	AIM	aim.exe	AOL Instant Messenger. If connected to the internet, automatically runs up AIM. Convenience more than anything. Available via Start -> Programs
N	AimingClick	AimingClick.exe	AimingClick from AimingTech. Web searching tool. Available via Start -> Programs
X	AIM reminder	AIM reminder.exe	Added as a result of the BUDDY VIRUS!
N	AIMster	??	Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing client that runs over the AOL Instant Messenger network. Available via Start -> Programs
Y	Aiptek Graphics Tablet (USB)	atwtusb.exe	USB interface for Aiptek Graphics Tablet (USB)
?	AlarmWatcher	AlarmWatcher.exe	Associated with SynTPEnh and SynTPLpr which are from Synaptics for touchpads on laptops. What does it do and is it required?
N	Album Fast Start	ABMTSR.EXE	Scanner software, not required for scanner to work
?	Alcom PCL Capture	FMW_PCAP.EXE	??
X	Alevir	Alevir.exe	Added as a result of the OPASERV.A VIRUS!
N	Alexa	Alexa.exe?	Alexa Toolbar "is a downloadable toolbar that helps you navigate the Internet as you surf, by instantly providing you with related information about the site you're viewing". Available via Start -> Programs
?	ALFY Accellerator	AlfyAC~1.exe	??
U	All Aboard Status	stswin.exe	All Aboard! Internet Connection Sharing status icon
U	Alogserv	Alogserv.exe	From McAfee VirusScan for logging scanning activities. In some cases, if left running it can cause CPU % usage to go between 5-95% or go to and stay at 100%. Disabling it impacts on the reported last scan date. It is reported to cause jerky graphics response in many games. As of version 6, this is a critical component of McAfee and disabling it can cause a PC to lock up
?	Alps Electric USB Server	Monserv.exe	Alps Electric USB Server. What does Monserv.exe do and is it required?
U	AlpsPoint or Apoint	Apoint.exe	Touchpad software for laptop PC's. For instance it is found on the Panasonic machines and allows part of the touchpad to be used for document or Web-page scrolling. Required for proper functioning of the pointing software but not required for the laptop to work
N	America Online *.* Tray Icon	aoltray.exe	Puts AOL icon in System Tray (*.* denotes version if present). Connect to AOL via the desktop shortcut or Start -> Programs
Y	Amon	AMON.EXE	Monitoring part of Eset's NOD32 virus-scanner
N	Announcements	Annclist.exe	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
N	Anntext	Anntext.exe	Caere Pagekeeper text annotation server
U	Anti-keylogger check	antikey.exe	Anti-keylogger - protects against keylogger programs monitoring your keystrokes
?	AntiVirusProtection	qumk.exe	??
Y	AnVir	AnVir.exe	AnVir virus destroyer
U	anvshell	anvshell.exe	System Tray tool for ASUS video cards. If disabled you lose all the ASUS specific video card options in Control Panel -> Display Properties -> Advanced as well as the System Tray shortcuts toolbar
N	AolFix	AolFix.exe	Run on Gateway Astra computers, and maybe a few others. Designed to repair a bad registry key in Gateway computers that would not allow AOL  to run correctly. Not seen much any more and should only run once
X	Aornum	aornum.exe	Installed along with iWon Prize Machine. Based upon their privacy statement this can be regarded as spyware
Y	apc_tray	apc_tray.exe	Part of the APC UPS software loaded with the BACK-UPS CS 350 unit. Required to monitor the APC unit in case of power failure.
U	Appcon	vAppCon.exe	Vital Application Console - part of POS-partner 2000 point-of-sale software from Vital. This is the taskbar icon and is enabled at startup by the "Auto-start when OS starts" option. Required for a connection to be established
U	AppExtender	AppExtCB.exe	Loads the Confimax add-in for popular E-mail programs to confirm E-mails have been sent and received
Y	Apwheel	Apwheel.exe	Wheel support for an Alps mouse
?	Apvxd	APVXDWIN.EXE	Part of Panda Anti-Virus. What is this part and is it required?
Y	Apvxdwin	APVXDWIN.EXE	Part of Panda Anti-Virus. Required to enable permanent virus protection
N	ARCSolo Recovery	N/A	Backup software by Computer Associates - no longer supported
Y	AspireTimeMachine	acertmb.exe	System recovery software supplied with some Acer notebook PCs. Similar to GoBack and the restore program in WinXP, allowing you to restore a PC back to a working state with minimal re-entry
N	Astro	Astro.exe	Checks for updates to Quicken on a system reboot
N	ASUSKey	V38SHELL.EXE	System tray Icon for quickly changing video modes
U	ASUS SmartDoctor	VGAProbe.exe	ASUS video card fan/thermal monitor
U	ASUS TweakEnable	astart.exe	Restores manually changed settings for ASUS based video cards such as overclocking. Only required if you use non-standard settings
?	Ati2cwxx	Ati2cwxx.exe	For some ATI video cards. Probably used to access features and may not be required - for example the ATI Radeon works fine without it
?	Ati2mdxx	Ati2mdxx.exe	For some ATI video cards. Probably used to access features and may not be required
U	AtiCwd AtiCwd32	AtiCwd.exe AtiCwd32.exe Ati2cwad.exe	This utility adds the ATI tab in the advanced display properties (gives the option for TV out). Do not uncheck if there is TV out on the video card
N	ATI GART Set-up Utility	Atigart.exe	Program that checks the motherboard chipset and determines which GART driver bundle to install on ATI video cards. If you have one, once installed it shouldn't be needed
N	AtiKey	AtiKey32.exe atiptkad.exe	System Tray access and key-combo shortcuts to common display functions on ATI video cards. Can be run from Start-> Settings -> Control Panel -> Display
U	ATIPOLAB	ati2evxx.exe	ATI External Event Utility EXE Module. This task can comsume lots of CPU resournces  on some computers, but it can help with graphics card problems. Leave enabled unless it consumes too many CPU resources
U	AtiQiPcl	AtiQiPcl.exe	Used for hardware DVD decoding on ATI video cards supporting this feature. Not required unless you regularly play DVD's
U	AtiPTA or atiptaxx	Ati2ptxx.exe Atiptaxx.exe	Control panel for the ATI series of video cards allowing access to such features as display resolution, colour depth, etc. Available via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Display. Some users may need it if they have optimised their settings
U	ATI Lauchpad	launchpd.exe	Convenient way to start all your Multimedia Center applications (DVD, Video CD, CD Audio, File Player). You can right-click LaunchPad, and uncheck Load on Startup in the menu
N	ATI Scheduler	Atisched.exe	Component that remains resident in memory and automatically launches the ATI VIDEO PLAYER at a user selected time and date. Delete the shortcut in the Start -> Programs -> Startup folder as well. Functions could re-enable the program to load at start-up and re-introduce the shortcut. Try it and see
U	ATISmart	ati2s9ag.exe	ATI's "SMARTGART", which is included with the "Catalyst" drivers. When the system boots, it runs a couple of bus tests & tries to apply the most stable settings
N	ATI Task Application (Atikey)	Atitask.exe	System Tray access and key-combo shortcuts to common display functions on ATI video cards. Can be run from Start-> Settings -> Control Panel -> Display
N	ATI Task Application	Atitkad.exe	System Tray access to common display functions on ATI video cards. As above
U	ATIX10	atix10.exe	Remote control driver for the ATI All-in-Wonder 8500DV graphics card
N	ATnotes	atnotes.exe	Loads the ATnotes program for virtual sticky notes for your desktop. Available via Start -> Programs
N	Atomica	atomica.exe	Atomica runs from the System Tray and allows the user to find out more about a word or phrase on any screen by pointing at it with the mouse and clicking button one while holding down the Alt key
N	AtomicTime	ATOMICTIME.EXE	AtomicTime - utility that synchronizes your PC clock to an atomic clock
U	Atrack	atrack.exe	New feature of Norton Internet Security (NIS) and Norton Personal Firewall (NPF) 3.0 is the Alert Tracker, an instant notification feature. The Alert Tracker displays information about events as they happen. This way, when a rule has been triggered or an access to the Internet made, you know about it immediately rather than finding out about it when you check your logs or notice that the NIS icon indicates a security alert
U	ATTBroadbandUpdate	SAUpdate.exe	Big Brother from Quest Software. System and network monitor
U	ATTRedUpdate	AutoUpdate.exe	Additional item added to start-ups after AT&T took over the now bankrupt Excite@home high-speed internet service. Included for automatically downloading and installing updates. Leave it unless you plan to regularly run it to check for updates
X	AttuneClientEngine	attune_ce.exe	"Attune is a revolutionary service that provides you with targeted Intelligram messages to help you avoid common computer problems. Attune may also let you know when you need a specific product, service, or upgrade to optimise the use of your computer". Not required - treated as adware
X	AttuneContentUpdater	attune_cu.exe	Related to the above. All needed for the program to do its job properly
X	AttuneDiscovery	attune_di.exe	Related to the above. All needed for the program to do its job properly
X	AttuneSystray	attune_st.exe	Related to the above. All needed for the program to do its job properly
Y	atwtusb	atwtusb.exe	USB interface for Aiptek Graphics Tablet (USB)
U	AU Agent	AUagent.exe	Au Agent from Zilab Software. Win2K/NT enhancement tool. Allows you to run applications under any security context without closing the whole logon session to process a new logon
N	AudioHQ	Ahqtb.exe	For Creative Soundblaster Live! series soundcards. System tray application for SB Live! functions. Available via Start -> Programs
N	AutoEA	Ahqrun.exe	For Creative Soundblaster Live! series soundcards. Specify for any audio application what audio preset to automatically associate with currently active speaker output. Available via AudioHQ
N	AutoMate Task Service	automate.exe	Task scheduler for Unisyn Automate 4 task automation/macro running software. Available via a desktop shortcut or Start -> Programs
N	Automatically launches the United Devices Agent when you start your computer	UD.EXE	The United Devices Agent can recycle your PC's unused resources and use them to perform valuable scientific and medical research without disturbing your usual computer use - similar to SETI@home but for medical research. Available via Start -> Programs
U	AutoSizer	AUTOSIZER.EXE	AutoSizer - utility that automatically maximizes windows when they're opened
Y	Aureal A3D Interactive Audio	sa3dsrv.exe	For Aureal based 3D soundcards. A3D sound features won't work with this disabled
Y	Aureal A3D Interactive Audio Init	A3dInit.exe	For Aureal based 3D soundcards. A3D sound features won't work with this disabled
X	ausvc	ausvc.exe	Added as a result of the AUTOUPDER VIRUS!
N	AUTOPROP	REGPROP.EXE WMPADDIN.DLL	Both the files are in the MS Office/Bots/FP_WMP directory. Apparently, it registers the FrontPage WiMP extension
N	AutoSpell 5	ASWATC32.EXE	AutoSpell - spell checker
N	autoupd	autoupd.exe	Raxco Software Auto Update utility ."Used to keep your software up-to-date"
X	autoupd	autoupd.exe	VIRUS! - found in a folder of the same name
N	AUXXTRAY	au30setp.exe	System Tray application for Aureal Vortex based soundcards. Can be run manually via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel
?	AutoShutdown	pssvc.exe	Utility to fix vCard Export in MS Outlook 2000 - although why are these together?
Y	Avast32	Astart32.exe	Avast32 anti-virus - scanner
U	AvconsoleEXE	Avconsol.exe	From McAfee VirusScan up to version 4.x and Dr Solomon's VirusScan. Used to schedule regular scans. If you don't have scans scheduled you don't need it
X	AveoAttune	atmdlusr.exe	Related to AttuneClientEngine above
Y	AVG_CC or avgcc32	avgcc32.exe	AVG anti-virus control center. Also enables scheduled tests, Outlook E-mail plug-in and automatic updates
Y	AVGCtrl	AVGCTRL.EXE	Background task of the AntiVir antivirus program which scans files transparently in the background
Y	Avgserv9.exe	Avgserv9.exe	Background monitoring program for AVG anti-virus
Y	AvMaiSrv	Avmaisrv.exe	Avast32 anti-virus - E-mail scanner
Y	avpcc	avpcc.exe	Kaspersky Labs anti-virus
U	AVWUpd32	AVWUPD32.EXE	AntiVir updater. Useful, but can be run manually
Y	avx communicator	xcommsur.exe	Anti-virus part of BitDefender virus scanner/firewall
Y	avxlni	avxinit.exe	Anti-virus part of BitDefender virus scanner/firewall
N	awhost32	awhost32.exe	Part of Symantec's pcAnywhere remote PC management software. Provides an automatic startup of the client PC in host mode in conjuction with a host-definition file, so system administrators can access the machine. Can cause a 10% reduction in speed and not recommended

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B

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C

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D

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E

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F

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G

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H

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I

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J

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K

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L

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Presentation, format & comments Copyright © Paul Collins, 17th Sptember 2001
Portions Copyright © Peter Forrest, Denny Denham, Sylvain Prevost
All rights reserved