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.

X	RA Server	Slave.exe	Added by the RA TROJAN!
X	RabbitWannaHome	rabbit.exe	Added by the MIMAIL.S WORM!
Y	Rabo Session Monitor	RaboSessionMon.exe	Related to RaboBank electronic banking software
N	RadarSync	RadarSync.exe	Radarsync utility comes from DFI with their latest motherboards, e.g., DFI LanParty Ultra - checks for BIOS and driver updates periodically
U	RadBoot	RadBoot.exe	RadLinker - tweaker/linker for ATI Radeon based graphics cards. It allows you easy access to per game settings
U	RadioSvr	RadioSvr.EXE	Used to configure wire less networks. Windows automatically detects the Wireless network and it configures the network
U	RAMASST	RAMASST.exe	Optionally installed with some DVD drives (LG, Panasonic, etc). Disables Windows XP's CD-burning abilities because they cause some incompatibilities. It does not affect your ability to burn CDs. If you do not have this program running, you may have some compatibility issues with burnt DVDs
X	RamBooster2	rb.exe	Added by the AKAK TROJAN!
U	RAMDef	ramdef.exe	Ram Def Xtreme - monitors and defragments your system RAM to improve reliability and speed. Some users swear by programs such as this but I suggest you read this article and make up your own mind
U	RamIdle	ramidle.exe	RAM Idle - "A smart memory management program that will keep your computer running better, faster, and longer. RAM Idle works by  freeing up physical RAM wasted by Windows and other applications. In addition, RAM Idle also includes Cache and startup manager program that will give you more power to optimize your Windows." Some users swear by programs such as this but I suggest you read this article and make up your own mind
U	RAMpage	RAMpage.exe	Small Windows utility that displays the amount of available memory in an icon in the System Tray. It can also free memory by double clicking the tray icon, or by setting a threshold that activates the program automatically, or by having it run automatically when an application exits. RAMpage is free, and open source
X	Randex virus built for IRBMe	irbme.exe	Added by the RANDEX.RH WORM!
X	RandomWin32	mgnwin32.exe	Added by the SDBOT-DV WORM!
Y	RapApp	RAPAPP.EXE	Application protection component of BlackICE PC Protection (was Defender) firewall, informing you of any modifications to programs, files or folders and detecting unknown programs trying to launch
U	Rapid Restore	rrpcsb.exe	XPoint "Rapid Restore PC" - a "Managed Recovery™ solution that enables IT Administrators to protect the corporate image, while offloading personal data backup and recovery chores to the end user"
X	RapidBlaster	rb32.exe	Homepage hijacker (adult content) - see this newsgroup thread
Y	Raptor Mobile	vpnservices.exe	Symantec VPN Client used to connect to corporate networks. If unchecked, must be uninstalled using Add/Remove Programs as it tightly integrates into networking
X	RasCon Remote Access Service Manager	rasmngr.exe	Added by the SPYBOT.EM WORM!
X	Rase	boln.exe	PurityScan/Clickspring adware
X	rate.exe	i11r54n4.exe	Added by the BEAGLE.E or BEAGLE.F or BEAGLE.G or BEAGLE.H or BEAGLE.I WORMS!
X	rate.exe	********.exe [* = random char]	Unidentified adware
Y	RAV8Tray	ravtray8.exe	RAV anti-virus related
X	RAVEN_VLZS.EXE	RAVEN_VLZS.EXE	Another eAcceleration program - spyware. Read their privacy statement here
Y	RavMon	RavMon.exe	RAV AntiVirus
X	RavTime	Mstray.exe	Added by the WUKILL.A WORM!
X	RavTimer	RavTimer.exe	RAV AntiVirus
X	RavTimeXP	[worm filename]	Added by the WULLIK.B WORM!
X	RavTimXP	[worm filename]	Added by the WULLIK.B WORM!
?	rav_temp.exe	rav_temp.exe	??
N	Ray Process Killer	Prkill.exe	Ray Process Killer - clicking right mouse button produces popup menu with current active tasks. You can choose any task and click "Ok" to terminate it. Use CTRL+ALT+DEL instead
X	rb32 lptt01	rb32.exe	Variant of the RapidBlaster parasite (in a "RapidBlaster" folder in Program Files). It is not recommended you manually uninstall RapidBlaster but use RapidBlaster Killer - see here
X	rb32 ml097e	rb32.exe	Variant of the RapidBlaster parasite (in a "RapidBlaster" folder in Program Files). It is not recommended you manually uninstall RapidBlaster but use RapidBlaster Killer - see here
X	rbenh ml***e	rbenh.exe	Variant of the RapidBlaster parasite (in a "RBEnhance" folder in Program Files) where *** represents random digits. It is not recommended you manually uninstall RapidBlaster but use RapidBlaster Killer - see here
X	Rcf Driver	rcf.exe	Added by the RANDEX.BLD WORM!
X	rCron	rcron.exe	"Switch" adult content dialler
X	rCron	dservice.exe	Switch premium rate adult content dialer
U	RCScheduleCheck	RCSCHED.EXE	Scheduler for VCOM's Recovery Commander - which "can restore your non-booting system back to normal. It only takes a few minutes to get your system back up and running"
X	RCSync	RCSync.exe	PrizeSurfer related. "PrizeSurfer is the free software that automatically enters you to win cash and prizes just for surfing the web and shopping online!" Stealth installed malware
U	RDClient	RDCLIENT.EXE	Remote Disconnection Utility from Twiga. Used for connecting and disconnecting dial up connections on a network - only needed if there is a shared internet connection
X	RDLL	RunDll16.exe	Added by the SDBOT.F TROJAN!
X	rdvs	[worm filename]	Added by the ULTIMAX WORM!
X	Reactor3	[random name]32.exe	Added by the BOFRA.A WORM!
X	Reactor5	[random name]32.exe	Added by the BOFRA.D WORM!
X	Reactor6	[random name]32.exe	Added by the BOFRA.C WORM!
X	Reactor7	[random name]32.exe	Added by the BOFRA.B WORM!
X	Reactor8	[random name]32.exe	Added by the BOFRA.E WORM!
X	Reactor9	[random name]32.exe	Added by the BOFRA.E WORM!
X	readdb40	rundll32.exe [path] readdb40.dll, EnableRunDLL32	LZIO.com adware downloader
X	Real Internet Player	Reaiplay.exe	Added by a variant of the SPYBOT WORM!
X	Real player updater	realupd.exe	Added by the PARLAY TROJAN!
X	real scheduler.hta	RealAudio.exe	Added by the CEEGAR TROJAN!
X	Real-Tens	Real-Tens.exe	DownloadWare based advetising spyware
X	RealAudio	RealAudio.exe	Added by the CEEGAR TROJAN! Note - this is not associated with the popular RealPlayer media player
N	RealDownload	RealPlay.exe	Download manager. Available via Start -> Programs
X	RealDownload Express	npnzdad.exe	Advertising spyware
N	Reality Fusion GameCam SE	RFTRay.exe	System Tray access for Logitech's Reality Fusion GameCam. For more details see here. Available via Start -> Programs
N	RealJukeboxSystray	tsystray.exe	System Tray icon for RealJukebox
X	realone_nt2003	moniker.exe	Added by the SNONE.A WORM!
X	RealP1ayer	[path to file]	Added by the RPLAY.A TROJAN! Note that the name has a number "1" in place of the second lower case "L"
N	realplay	realplay.exe	System Tray icon for RealPlayer. If you subsequently start RealPlayer manually it adds itself back to the start-up list. You can stop this from happening by right-clicking on the tray icon and disabling StartCenter via Preferences
X	realplay lptt01	realplay.exe	Variant of the RapidBlaster parasite (in a "RealPlay" folder in Program Files). It is not recommended you manually uninstall RapidBlaster but use RapidBlaster Killer - see here. Note - this is not RealPlayer which can have the same executable name
X	realplay ml097e	realplay.exe	Variant of the RapidBlaster parasite (in a "RealPlay" folder in Program Files). It is not recommended you manually uninstall RapidBlaster but use RapidBlaster Killer - see here. Note - this is not RealPlayer which can have the same executable name
X	Realplayer One	realplay.exe	Added by the RBOT-NK WORM!
?	Realpopup	Realpopup.exe	RealPopup - "Replaces old winpopup with a full featured freeware tool which remains stable and simple as its predecessor"
N	Realsched	realsched.exe	Application Scheduler installed along with RealOne Player. Runs independently of RealOne Player, to remind AutoUpdate and Message Center to perform their tasks at pre-scheduled intervals. If it can't be disabled try deleting or renaming realsched.exe and then delete the entry in the registry
?	Realtime Audio Engine	mmrtkrnl.exe	??
Y	Realtime Monitor	realmon.exe	Realtime scanner part of eTrust Antivirus/InoculateIT version 6 virus scanners from Computer Associates
?	RealTimeUpdate	RealTimeUpdate.exe	Product description in properties is "InternetExplorerCommunicationAgent Module" ?
N	RealTray	RealPlay.exe	System Tray icon for RealPlayer. If you subsequently start RealPlayer manually it adds itself back to the start-up list. You can stop this from happening by right-clicking on the tray icon and disabling StartCenter via Preferences
X	RealUpdater	realupd.exe	Added by the PARLAY or MITGLIEDER.I TROJANS!
N	Reboot	Reboot.exe	MS-DOS/Win3.1 utility use to clean boot a system. Sometimes installed by default from some driver CDs for motherboards
Y	Recguard	recguard.exe	On HP computers, Recguard prevents the deletion or corruption of the WinXP Recovery Partition. Without it enabled, it is possible to knock that completely out and force the customer to send the PC back to HP for a re-image, possibly at the customer's expense
N	Reclip	reclip.exe	Reclip Popup Clipboard manager
X	Recommended Hotfix - {0421701D-CF13-4E70-ADF0-45A953E7CB8B}	RH.DLL	SmartPops adware
N	Recover	N/A	Added during the installation of Comcast High Speed Internet software. During installation the system reboots and if the disk is removed a screen appears asking for the disk to be re-inserted to complete installation. Not required once installion is complete
?	RecoverFromReboo	RECOVE~1.EXE	??
?	RecoverFromReboo	RecoverFromReboot.exe	??
?	RecoverFromReboot	RECOVE~1.EXE	??
?	RecoverFromReboot	RecoverFromReboot.exe	??
N	RecShe	RecSche.exe	Recording scheduler for WatchTV Capture Card (TV Tuner card)
X	RecycleSTR	msreg32.exe	Added by the RBOT-TC WORM!
N	Red Flag	redflag.exe	PMS prediction program with modes for guys and girls - no longer available
X	Red Swoosh EDN Client	RSEDNClient.exe	Red Swoosh - mechanism used by web sites to allow you to download files from those sites quicker and more efficiently. Note from the license agreement they automatically update the software and share non-personally identifiable information with others in the network
X	redirect	redirect*.exe	Dotcomtoolbar/Linksummary hijacker installer - where * is a random digit
N	Redline Taskbar	taskbar.exe	Taskbar icon for the Redline RegTweak overclocking program as supplied with Sapphire ATI graphics cards
X	REEGRUN	[path to file]	Added by the SECDROP.AI TROJAN
U	Referee	referee.exe	MediaComm's monitor for file association changes. Stop rogue programs from screwing your settings either on installation or whenever they run
N	Refresh	Refresh.exe	(Iomega) Refresh - loads the Iomega desktop icons at startup
X	Reg	Reg.hta	Homepage hi-jacker. Removal instructions here
?	Reg Check	lpt.exe	Related to Supanet ISP software - what does it do and is it required?
X	Reg Service	winsy.exe	Added by a variant of the SPYBOT WORM!
X	Reg Services	Winboot32.exe	Added by the RBOT.PB WORM!
X	reg1.reg	vuamgard.exe	Added by a variant of the IRC.BOT TROJAN!
X	Reg32	Reg32.exe	Hijacker - redirecting to only-virgins.com
X	reg32	reg32.exe	Added by the NOUPDATE.B TROJAN!
X	Reg32	reg33.exe	CoolWebSearch parasite variant