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 | V.92 Modem On Hold | Ltmoh.exe | Modem On Hold utility - manages incoming/outgoing voice calls on a single phone line while being connected to the internet |
| Y | V128IID | Rundll32.exe v128iitw.dll, STB_InitTweak | Loads drivers for some STB graphics cards such as the STB nVIDIA TNT 16MB. Required if you don't want to experience lock-ups or error messages |
| ? | V128IITV | ?? | Loads drivers for some STB graphics cards. May be related to such a card with a TV out option? |
| ? | V66SHELL | V66SHELL.EXE | It looks to be part of the display driver set for ASUS V3800, V6600 and V6800 display adapters. Probably a system tray quick access control? |
| U | va10key | va10key.exe | Only required if you use the 10 kay bay unit with a Sony Vaio laptop |
| Y | VAGCtrl | VAGCTRL.EXE | Vexira Antivirus - virus scanner from Central Command |
| Y | VAGuard | VAGNT.exe | Vexira Antivirus - virus scanner from Central Command |
| U | VAIO Action Setup (Server) | VAServ.exe | Sony Vaio utility that auto-launches selected applications when you plug in a digital video camera, digital still camera, etc. via iLink (FireWire) or USB |
| U | VAIO Recovery | PartSeal.exe | System backup for Sony Vaio PCs. Adds a recovery mechanism for users over and above any System Restore features - allowing users to revert a drive back to the state it was when bought form the factory by hitting F10. The user obviously loses any data stored if not backed-up elsewhere |
| X | ValidData | [path to trojan] | Added by the RANKY.H TROJAN! |
| X | vb6 | vb6.exe | Added by the MUGLY.D WORM! |
| X | VBouncer | VirtualBouncer.exe | Virtual Bouncer - malware from Spyware Labs. It is distributed by the same bundling and drive-by download techniques as the parasites it claims to remove, so definitely qualifies as unsolicited commercial software in itself. It also has an update feature that can download and execute arbitrary code. Warning - choose "custom" uninstall as "automatic" may remove other programs - see here and here |
| X | VbouncerDL | VbouncerInner****.exe [* = random char] | Virtual Bouncer - malware from Spyware Labs. It is distributed by the same bundling and drive-by download techniques as the parasites it claims to remove, so definitely qualifies as unsolicited commercial software in itself. It also has an update feature that can download and execute arbitrary code. Warning - choose "custom" uninstall as "automatic" may remove other programs - see here and here |
| X | VbouncerDL | VBouncerInner.exe | Virtual Bouncer - malware from Spyware Labs. It is distributed by the same bundling and drive-by download techniques as the parasites it claims to remove, so definitely qualifies as unsolicited commercial software in itself |
| X | VBundleOuterDL | BundleOuter.EXE | VirtualBouncer 2.0 - malware from Spyware Labs. It is distributed by the same bundling and drive-by download techniques as the parasites it claims to remove, so definitely qualifies as unsolicited commercial software in itself. It also has an update feature that can download and execute arbitrary code. Warning - choose "custom" uninstall as "automatic" may remove other programs |
| X | VB_run | comctl_32.exe | Dubious downloader from densmail.com |
| X | VC5MediaPlayer | csmss.exe | Added by the DEDLER-B WORM! |
| N | VC5Play | VC5Play.exe | Virtual CD drive emulator - version 5. Available via Start -> Programs |
| X | VCatch | Vcatch.exe | CommonSearch Vcatch - "antivirus" software which actually bundles spy/adware itself! |
| X | VCatch Premium | VCatchpre.exe | VCatch antivirus. Considered spyware itself - see here |
| N | VCDPlayer | VCDPlayer.exe | Virtual CD drive emulator. Available via Start -> Programs |
| N | vcdplayx | vcdplayx.exe | CD emulation part of GameDrive & VirtualDrive from Farstone. Not required as starting these programs load this automatically |
| U | VCDTower | VCDTower.exe | Goldensoft CD Ghost related - turns a computer into a 200X-speed CD-ROM tower. Working from the hard drive, users can simultaneously access as many as 23 virtual CD-ROM drives at a speed of 200X for true multitasking |
| ? | VCDWATCH | VCDWATCH.EXE | Confirmed as Voyetra CD Watcher as it was found in a Compaq/Voyetra/AS2 directory but what does it do? |
| N | VCSPlayer | vcsplay.exe | Virtual CD drive emulator. Available via Start -> Programs |
| ? | VDI Manager (HP) | HPO0VDX05.exe | HP (Hewlett-Packard) related. Now - what does it do? |
| N | vdtask | vdtask.exe | Program part of GameDrive & VirtualDrive from Farstone. Not required as starting these programs load this automatically |
| N | Vegas Palms - Launcher | Launcher.exe | Vegas Palms on-line cassino |
| N | Verizon Control Pad | cpad.exe | Control Pad - installed with Verizon DSL accounts. Tool designed to streamline the online experience |
| U | Verizon Online Support Center | matcli.exe | "matcli.exe is a motive Assistant Command line interface that gathers information about your system's identity like your name email address, city, state, etc and gets written to a log file". Verizon Online Support Center is required to run with the Help and Support program. If you uncheck Verizon Online Support Center and and then run help and Support it will add another Verizon Online Support Center in the startup menu. If you remove the Verizon Online Support Center in the add/remove program some help menus in help and support will not be available. You decide |
| X | vern16.dll | regsvr32.exe [path] vernn16.dll | DailyWinner adware |
| U | versato | versato.exe | "Hot" button (such as volume and browser control) management and a CD player as supplied with QTronix (as possibly Micro Innovations) keyboards |
| X | Version | Version.exe | JRAUN adware variant |
| X | Version | manage.exe | JRAUN adware variant |
| X | version | adl_dh.exe | DealHelper adware related |
| Y | Vet Alert | vetmsg9x.exe | Computer Associates "InnoculateIT" and Vet Anti-Virus virus software |
| Y | Vet Start Up | vet98.exe | Computer Associates "InnoculateIT" and Vet Anti-Virus virus software. This option will slow down your system, if set too aggressively. There is no need to scan every file when opened, closed, etc. Check in InoculateIT PE options |
| Y | Vet Start Up | vet32.exe | Computer Associates "InnoculateIT" and Vet Anti-Virus virus software. This option will slow down your system, if set too aggressively. There is no need to scan every file when opened, closed, etc. Check in InoculateIT PE options |
| U | VetTray | vettray.exe | Computer Associates "InnoculateIT" and Vet Anti-Virus virus software. System Tray quicklaunch access, not really necessary but only occupies 36k resources |
| X | VFW Encoder/Decoder Settings | RUNDLL32.exe MSSIGN30.DLL ondll_reg | Added by a variant of the LOVGATE WORM! |
| U | VGAUtil | G-VGA.exe | Gigabyte VGA Utility - access card options (application needs to be run at startup, but is not system critical) |
| X | vid32cntl | vid32cntl.Exe | Added by the CRYPTER.A TROJAN! |
| X | vidcntl | vidcntl.Exe | Added by the CRYPTER.A TROJAN! |
| X | Vidcompat | Vidcompat.exe | Added by the GEMA TROJAN! |
| X | Video | explored.exe | Added by the GAOBOT.RF WORM! |
| X | Video | winamp32.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-NG WORM! |
| X | Video Lan Player | VideoLanPlayer.exe | Added by the RBOT-MY WORM! |
| X | Video Manager | videomgr.exe | Added by the PANDEM.C WORM! |
| X | Video Multimedia Driver | ndrives32.exe | Added by the RBOT-DK WORM! |
| X | Video Proces | winaps.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.HD WORM! |
| X | Video Process | sysconf.exe | Added by the GAOBOT.GEN!POLY or GAOBOT.UM or GAOBOT.ADX WORMS! |
| X | Video Process | MS32x16.exe | Added by the RBOT.RH WORM! |
| X | Video Process | netsvcs.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.LH WORM! |
| X | Video Process | MSlti64.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.UE WORM! |
| X | Video Process | [random filename] | Added by the RBOT-LM WORM! |
| X | Video Process | winasp.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-IS WORM! |
| X | Video Services | explore.exe | Added by the GAOBOT.GL WORM! |
| X | Video Services | videol_32.exe | Added by the AGOBOT-DM WORM! |
| X | Video Services | sys32.exe | Added by the AGOBOT.PS WORM! |
| X | Videocntl | Videocntl.exe | Added by a variant of the GEMA.D TROJAN! |
| X | VideoDriver | [filename] | Added by the GSPOT20.A TROJAN! |
| X | VideoDriver | videodrv.exe | Added by the MIMAIL.A WORM! |
| X | VideoDriver | gspotbot.exe | Added by the SPIGOT.C TROJAN! |
| X | Videool32 | VIDEOL32.EXE | Added by the AGOBOT.EC WORM! |
| N | VidSvr | vidsvr.exe | MS WebTV for Windows Channel Guide. 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 |
| X | vietato.exe | vietato.exe | Adult content dialler |
| N | ViewMgr | ViewMgr.exe | Viewpoint Manager - automatic updates for ViewPoint products such as ViewPoint Media Player (as bundled with AOL, AOL Instant Messenger, Compuserve, etc). Can be run manually via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel by enabling auto-updates temporarily, re-booting and then disabling again |
| ? | Vinny | ?? | ?? |
| X | Virt.exe | Virt.exe | Added by the REMADM-C TROJAN! |
| U | VirtuaGirl | Vg.exe | VirtuaGirl is a shareware program featuring scantily dressed girls on your desktop. They say hi in the morning, remind you of your appointments and dance for you on request... |
| U | VirtuaGirl2 | VirtuaGirl2 | VirtuaGirl is a shareware program featuring scantily dressed girls on your desktop. They say hi in the morning, remind you of your appointments and dance for you on request... |
| X | virtual | winit.exe | Added by the MUGLY.A or MUGLY.B WORMS! |
| X | virtual | winprotect.exe | Added by the MUGLY.C WORM! |
| U | Virtual Access Scheduler | VASCHD32.EXE | The scheduler for mail and usenet tool |
| X | Virtual Bouncer | VirtualBouncer.exe | Virtual Bouncer - malware from Spyware Labs. It is distributed by the same bundling and drive-by download techniques as the parasites it claims to remove, so definitely qualifies as unsolicited commercial software in itself. It also has an update feature that can download and execute arbitrary code. Warning - choose "custom" uninstall as "automatic" may remove other programs - see here and here |
| N | VirtualCloneDrive | VCDDaemon.exe | Virtual Clone Drive, part of CloneCD CD/DVD copying sofware. Discontinued |
| N | VirtualDrive | VDTask.exe | VirtualDrive from Farstone - virtual CD drive emulator. Available via Start -> Programs |
| U | VirtuaReminder | VirtuaReminder.exe | VirtuaReminder is a tool allowing the user to create reminders for such things as important appointments, birthdays, etc |
| X | Virus Scan | virscana.exe | Added by an unidentified VIRUS, WORM or TROJAN! |
| X | VirusCheckII | AVIRCHK.EXE | Added by the DASMIN TROJAN! |
| Y | VirusScan Online | mcvsshld.exe | McAfee VirusScan On-line. See also the McAgentExe entry |
| ? | VirusScanMSC | VsStat.exe | Part of McAfee VirusScan. System Tray application as with previous versions (were also VsStat.exe), McAfee SecurityCenter integration or something else? Is it required? |
| X | Virus_Scanner | Virus_Cleaner.exe | Added by the PANOL WORM! |
| N | visionGS | VISIONGS.EXE | visionGS webcam software |
| N | Vistascan | vistascan.exe | Included in VistaScan are VistaAccess and VistaShuttle. VistaAccess gives you quick and easy access to scanning functions right from your desktop. For Windows users, you'll see a scanner icon in the Windows Tray of the Taskbar. Click this icon and a menu opens |
| X | VividGalut | VividGalut.exe | Adult content related web downloader |
| Y | VMDFW | vmdfw.exe | VirusMD Personal Firewall |
| X | Vmmon32 | vmmon32.exe | Browser hijacker |
| X | vmsnGraber | VMSNGRABER.EXE | Added by the ENVID.B WORM! |
| X | vmss | vmss.exe | Delfin Media Viewer or "Promulgate" adware variant |
| X | VnCplUpdate | msdm.exe | Masssend - spam relayer. Listens on a port for the spammers to feed it a list of addresses and what to send out. More information in this advisory |
| U | VOBID | InstantDrive.exe | Pinnacle Systems (ex VOB) InstantDrive - creates a virtual CD-ROM drive on the computer’s hard drive. Part of InstantCD/DVD burning software |
| Y | VOBRegCheck | VOBRegCheck.exe | Part of Pinnacle Systems InstantCD/DVD and InstantCopy CD/DVD copying software that verifies drive settings. Once loaded it doesn't use any resources so you can leave it enabled |
| U | Vonage | click2call.exe | Vonage Voice over IP Internet phone service |
| U | VoodooBanshee | rundll32.exe 3DBBps.dll, BansheeLoadSettings | Loads the configuration settings for a 3dfx Voodoo Banshee chipset based graphics card. If you change some of the settings from default you probably need this - otherwise maybe not |
| ? | voowsmcr | huhdir.exe | ?? |
| N | Vortex Tray | asp4setp.exe | System Tray application for Aureal Vortex based soundcards. Can be run manually via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel |
| N | VortexTray | au30setp.exe | System Tray application for Aureal Vortex based soundcards. Can be run manually via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel |
| N | VortexTray | asp4tray.exe | System Tray application for Aureal Vortex based soundcards. Can be run manually via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel |
| N | VortexTray | asp4setp.exe | System Tray application for Aureal Vortex based soundcards. Can be run manually via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel |
| N | VoyetraTray | vtray.exe | This provides an abbreviated Control Group for the Turtle Beach Montego II sound functions/associated with AudioStation 3 and 32 |
| U | Vpop3 Mail Server | vpop3.exe | Mail server from Paul Smith Computer Services. Runs in system tray to collect mail. Can be run from a shortcut and if it isn't running then it won't get your email! |
| U | vptray | vptray.exe | System Tray icon for Norton Anti-Virus Corporate Edition. Gives access to the options available and may not be required. Some users may have problems - refer here |
| Y | Vrmon | vrmonnt.exe | HAURI Anti-Virus |
| Y | VrSchedule | Vrres.exe | HAURI Anti-Virus |
| Y | VS.VSN | Part of eSafe antivirus "SmartScan" - alerts the user if files have been changed/added | |
| X | vscanner | spooll32.exe | Added by the OPTIXPRO.10 TROJAN! |
| N | VsEcomrEXE | VSECOMR.EXE | From McAfee VirusScan up to version 4.x. This executable is responsible for the periodic "update" prompts |
| Y | Vshwin32EXE | VSHWIN32.EXE | From McAfee VirusScan up to version 4.x and Dr Solomon's VirusScan. Communicates between VSSTAT.EXE and the VShield System Scan module. Can be started automatically or available via Start -> Programs |
| N | VSN | VSN.exe | Software to share photographs across the internet |
| Y | VSOCheckTask | MCMNHDLR.EXE | Part of McAfee's SecurityCenter and Virusscan Online. Must be enabled for scanning to work |
| N | vspdfprsrv.exe | vspdfprsrv.exe | Visage PDF Printer |
| Y | VsStatEXE | VSSTAT.EXE | From McAfee VirusScan up to version 4.x and Dr Solomon's VirusScan. Communicates between VSSTAT.EXE and the VShield System Scan module. Can be started automatically or available via Start -> Programs |
| N | vTPass | vtpassld.exe | Part of vTrails - a live media delivery solution. vTPass is the driver enabling the system to work. If unavailable via Start -> Programs, create your own shortcut for the "vtpass.exe" file |
| U | VTPreset | VTPreset.exe | Savage Pro S3 graphics software |
| U | VTTimer | VTTimer.exe | Driver file for the on-board VIA/S3G KM400/KN400 graphics which enables TV in/out communication |
| N | vTunerStartUp | vTuner.exe | vTuner - "an easy way to find and listen to radio and TV broadcasts over the Internet" |
| X | VVSN | VVSN.exe | SaveNow adware |