Close Program/Task Manager
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.

Operating System Differences
A number of entries are repeated due to the way that different operating systems display startup items. For example, WinMe lists "POPROXY.EXE" as "Norton eMail Protect" in both MSCONFIG and the registry whereas WinXP lists it as "Poproxy" in MSCONFIG and "Noeton eMail Protect" in the registry.

To avoid the list becoming too large, all VIRUSES are shown using the registry version which is common to all Windows versions.

Alternatively use your browsers search facility - Ctrl+F for IE users.

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

Use your browsers search facility - Ctrl+F for IE users.

U	H/PC Connection Agent	WCESCOMM.EXE	Active sync for use with Windows CE based palm PC
U	HalifaxHowardCluster	skinkers.exe	Howard the Weatherman desktop client from Halifax by Skinkers - marketing/messaging tool. Leave enabled if you want to receive messages
U	HaMFrontPanel	hampanel.exe	Displays a panel simulating modem lights for the Intel HaM internal modem. The lights are useful as a reminder to disconnect from the net if you are likely to forget, but otherwise pointless
U	Handy Backup 3.9	hbagent.exe	Handy Backup - automatic backup of your critical data to virtually any type of storage media including CD-RW devices and remote FTP servers
U	Hardware Doctor	Hwdoctor.exe	Winbond Hardware Doctor - as included on some motherboard using Winbond's hardware monitoring chips. Displays fan speeds, voltages, temperatures. Only required if you're concerned about your system temperature - typically for "overclocked" systems
X	Hardware Profile	hxdef.exe	Added by a variant of the LOVGATE WORM!
X	Hardware Profile	hxdef.exe...	Added by a variant of the LOVGATE WORM!
U	Hardware Sensors Monitor	hmonitor.exe	Utility to monitor fan speed and temperatures - similar to Motherboard Monitor. Only required if you're concerned about your system temperature - typically for "overclocked" systems
U	Hare	hare.exe	Hare - improve and optimize performance of desktop/laptop PCs
U	HawkEye	HAWK_95.EXE	Control Panel application for the old Number Nine graphics cards to change resolution, colour depth, etc. Available via Start -> Programs
U	HawkEye IV Control Panel	HAWK_32.EXE	Control Panel application for the old Number Nine graphics cards to change resolution, colour depth, etc. Available via Start -> Programs
X	Hbinst	Hbinst.exe	Hotbar enhances the surfing experience offering a variety of innovative and fresh skins to the browser while providing users worldwide with access to various services of added value and fun. Also regarded as adware/spyware due to it's adds and browsing habits information gathering - see here
N	HC Reminder	hc.exe	For Compaq PC's. Help Compiler, crunches help database, will run without being in startup when needed
N	HCDetect	HCDetect.exe	MS HomeClick Network - simple home network setup and configuration program included with 3Com HomeConnect home networking products. Runs in the background for network printer notification, detection, and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) taskbar icon. Not required - network can be set-up manually, also has a known memory leak problem
U	hcenter	tgcmd.exe	See also TgAddServer. This part ensures the software is installed correctly (similar to an installation wizard) as reported by Cox. Regarded as spyware by some as it has the ability to retrieve user information. Whether it does so depends upon the provider. One Toshiba user reports problems with hibernate on his laptop if disabled - hence the "U" recommendation
U	Hcontrol	hcontrol.exe	Hotkeys on an ASUS Notebook. Only required if you use the additional keys
U	HDDHealth	hddhealth.exe	HDD Health is a "full-featured failure-prediction agent for machines using Windows 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000 and XP. Sitting in the system tray, it monitors hard disks and alerts you to impending failure"
?	HDhelp	tbhdhelp.exe	Associated with Philips Edge series soundcards. Is it required?
N	HDtray	HDtray.exe	Philips Edge Series Control Panel Tray Utility - system tray icon for a Philips Edge series soundcards. Available via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel
X	he3e3fc4	rundll32.exe [path] he3e3fc4.dll, EnableRunDLL32	LZIO.com adware downloader
X	hellodolly	shost.exe	Added by the YODO WORM!
?	Help	helpext.exe	??
X	helpctl.exe	helpctl.exe	Added by the GASLIDE TROJAN!
X	Helper	eschlp.exe	Added by the BLASTER.T WORM!
X	helper.dll	helper.dll, Rundll32	CnsMin "Chinese Keywords" hijacker related
X	HelpExp.exe	HelpExp.exe	Attune HelpExpress - spyware. Disable and uninstall - see here
X	helpmanager	spoler.exe	Added by the RANDEX.J WORM!
X	helpw	helpw.exe	Adware downloader
X	hen	[filename].exe	Added by the TARNO.G TROJAN!
X	hErcUnes	softhost.exe	Added by the GARROCH WORM!
U	Hermes Messenger	DGDRHE~1.EXE	A LAN messenger alternative to WinPopUp - Digital Dreams Software
N	Hewlett Packard Recorder	Remind32.exe	HP multifunction registration
U	Hf	Hf.exe	Hide Folders - hide your folders so only you can view them
U	hfxp	hfxp.exe	Hide Folders XP - hide your folders so only you can view them
N	HGTXPEI	FirstReboot.exe	Herucles Audio tool for the Hercules Game Theater XP soundcard. Available via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel
?	HiberMonitor	HCount.exe	??
U	Hibernation	hib32.exe	Reduces the power consumption when the laptop isn't being used to preserve battery power. Similar programs on other laptops reduce the processor clock rate, etc. Required if you run of battery regularly
X	Hid.exe	hid.exe	Added by the RATSOU.B TROJAN!
X	HideRun.exe	Hiderun.exe and svhost.exe and pro.gif	Added by the BOOHOO WORM!
X	HideStyle	Ante Browse Trust.exe	IE toolbar taking you to Lop.com. If the exe is running, end it and remove the "Stupidmore" directory from C:Program Files
U	hidserv	hidserv.exe	This is the Human Interface Device Server for Win98SE/2000/Me/XP, it is required only if you are using USB Audio Devices you can disable via Msconfig. See here. Typical examples are USB multimedia keyboards with volume control and web-ready keyboards. For example - loaded by default with MS DSS80 Speakers because they have Volume, Mute and Bass controls on the speaker. Some users may experience problems disabling this - if this is the case then re-enable it. Equivalent to MMHid in Win98. On HP Computers, HIDSERV is the controller for the keyboard sound controls on the USB and PS/2 keyboards
N	High Definition Audio Property Page Shortcut	HDAudPropShortcut.exe	Realtek audio card related - probably adds the odd feature to one of the "Sounds" Control Panel applet tabs - doesn't appear to be required
N	HistoryKill	histkill.exe	HistoryKill removes your web surfing path by removing the URL drop-list history, detailed history file, cache, and cookies in both IE and Netscape Navigator browsers. Available via Start -> Programs
U	HitwarePKLite	HITWAR~1.EXE	Hitware Popup Killer Lite
X	HIV	HIV.exe	Added by the HIVA TROJAN!
U	hkcmd	hkcmd.exe	Installed by the Intel 810 and 815 chipset graphic drivers. If you want the Ctrl+Alt+F12 or similar keypresses to access Intel's customised graphics properties, you need it, otherwise not. Can be disabled via the Display Properties in Control Panel
X	HKLM\Run	windowsupdate.exe	Added by the FORBOT-BJ WORM! (where HKLMRun represents HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun)
U	hkserv	HKserv.exe	Keyboard manager program required to use programmable power and function keys on some laptops such as the Sony PCG R505TS
U	hkss	hkss.exe	Compaq HotKey Support - multimedia keyboard support
X	HLL Data Parameter	hllcxpa.exe	Added by the RBOT.AFG WORM!
X	HMI PowerSystem	hmisvc32.exe	Added by the RANDEX.CZZ WORM!
U	Hmonitor	Hmonitor.exe	Hardware sensor monitoring program. Only required if you overclock your system and want to check on the status
N	Holiday Lights	Holiday Lights.exe	Holiday Lights from Tiger Technologies. Festive desktop enhancement that adds lights. Available via Start -> Programs
N	Home Theater SchSvr	SchSvr.exe	WinScheduler is installed with Home Theater Remote Control for WinDVD from Intervideo. If you want to schedule recordings from your TV tuner card, you will need it. Available via Start -> Programs
U	HomeAlarm	HomeAlarm.exe	Chameleon Clock - system tray clock replacement
?	HomeCentre WakeUp	LGWAKEUP.EXE	Associated with the no longer supported Xerox HomeCentre printer/scanner
?	Honor	honor.exe	??
U	Hook99startup	hk2re.exe	"Hook99 enables the user to customize the start button. You can change or remove the text and replace the Windows flag on button with icon of your choice. Supports Windows icons, bitmaps and can extract icons from executables and libraries. Hook99 can also make the background of desktop icons captions transparent"
U	HookSys	HookSys.exe	SurfinGuard Pro - protects against all malicious code delivered through executables, scripting files, ActiveX and Java
Y	HorngTech4D	bally4d.exe	HorngTech 4D mouse driver
X	Host	N/A	Added by the POPDIS or STARTPAGE.F TROJANS!
?	HostManager	AOLHostManager.exe	In a Program FilesCommon FilesAOL folder. What does it do, and is it required?
U	Hot Corners	Hotc.exe	Hot Corners - "lets you quickly activate or disable your screen saver by moving the mouse into a given corner of the screen"
U	Hot Key Kbd 2690 Daemon	SK9910DM.exe	Multimedia keyboard manager - required if you use any special keys
U	Hot Key Keybd 9910 Daemon	SK9910DM.exe	Multimedia keyboard manager - required if you use any special keys
?	Hot Party 22	hotpart22.exe	??
X	Hotbar	Hbinst.exe	Hotbar enhances the surfing experience offering a variety of innovative and fresh skins to the browser while providing users worldwide with access to various services of added value and fun. Also regarded as adware/spyware due to it's adds and browsing habits information gathering - see here
X	Hotfix Updat	svdhost32.exe	Added by the GAOBOT.ZW WORM!
U	HotIDE	hotide.exe	HotIDE allows Acer TravelMate owners to hot-swap external drives without switching of their notebooks
U	HotkeyApp	HotkeyApp.exe	Part of Acer Launch Manager - programmable keys on such laptops as the TravelMate 610
U	HotKeysCmds	hkcmd.exe	Installed by the Intel 810 and 815 chipset graphic drivers. If you want the Ctrl+Alt+F12 or similar keypresses to access Intel's customised graphics properties, you need it, otherwise not. Can be disabled via Control Panel -> Display Properties
X	HotPix	hotpix.exe	Adult content dialler
X	hotplug	hotplug.exe	Added by the SILLYDL TROJAN!
N	HotSync Manager	hotsync.exe	Installed when connecting a Palm HotSync cradle up to a USB port. The Blue and Red Arrow Icon that enables Palm / Handspring Synchronizing.  Available via Start -> Programs
X	hotwetlove	hotwetlove.exe	Adult content dialler. Will not uninstall - components have to be manually deleted
X	Hot_Kiss	Hot_Kiss.exe	Adult content dialler
X	Hot_Tarts	Hot_Tarts.exe	Adult content dialler
X	Hot_Tarts_**	Hot_Tarts_**.exe	Premium rate adult content dialer (where * is a random char)
U	HoverDesk	HoverDesk.exe	HoverDesk - desktop replacement software