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	w32	w32.exe	Added by the SOKEVEN TROJAN!
X	W32.Scran	Scran.exe	Added by the NARCS WORM!
X	w32alanis	mope.scr	Added by the SINALA WORM!
X	W32Load	[random filename].scr	Added by the CASPID WORM!
X	w32sup	w32sup.exe	Adult content dialler
X	W32Tc	WTC32.scr	Added by the VOTE.D or VOTE.K WORMS!
X	W3KNetwork	rundll32.exe w3knet.dll, dllinitrun	Advertising spyware. Check here for more info on this particular one
Y	W75P2PSERVER	W75P2PS.EXE	Printer utility which is required in order to make the printer work correctly
?	W815DM	W815DM.exe	??
N	Wanadoo Messenger.exe	Wanadoo Messenger.exe	Wanadoo ISP instant messenger client
Y	WanMPSvc	WanMPSvc.exe	An AOL component, the Wan miniport (ATW) service. If you delete this and logon, AOL reports a problem with your internet connection, and reinstalling AOL doesn’t help
X	WAPI	wts**.exe [* = random char]	PurityScan/Clickspring adware
N	war-ftpd.exe	WAR-FTPD.EXE	War FTP Daemon from JGAA's Internet - FTP client
X	Wardo	syslaunch.exe	Added by the ADLCICKER.G TROJAN!
X	WareOut	WareOut.exe	Malware masquerading as a spyware and dialer remover, see here
N	warez	warez.exe	Warez P2P client
U	Warner	warner.exe	Also known as "CyberWarner". From G-Tek Technologies and pre-installed on some Packard Bell PCs. Protects critical files
U	Warnet	warnet.exe	Warnet - system cleanup software
U	Warning: do not remove it!	fpplock.exe	Part of Folder Password Expert by ZQS Software Team - "a software program to restrict access to the folders that contain your sensitive data"
N	WARSVR	war-ftpd.exe	"War FTP Daemon - the original free FTP server for windows"
U	WashAndGo - Cleanup of old Backupfiles	checker.exe	WashAndGo - temp file cleaner
U	Washer	washer.exe	Windows Washer from Webroot Software. Useful utility that deletes safe to remove files, cookies, browsing history, etc. Available via from Start -> Programs. Disable within the program options - otherwise it is re-enabled in MSCONFIG
N	Washerie.exe	washerie.exe	Cookie Washer for Internet Explorer from Webroot Software. Light version of Windows Washer, specific for cleaning the IE cache and cookies. Available via Start -> Programs
U	washindex	washidx.exe	Windows Washer from Webroot Software. Useful utility that deletes safe to remove files, cookies, browsing history, etc. Available via from Start -> Programs. Disable within the program options - otherwise it is re-enabled in MSCONFIG
X	Wast	wast.exe	Grokster ads updater
N	Watch	watch.exe	Found to be used by a Trust USB scanner for auto starting the scanning software when the lid is lifted
?	Watch	1200UBWATCH.EXE	??
N	Watch Dog Program	watchdog.exe	For Compaq PC's. Associated with Compaq's internet services. Not required if you don't use services provided by them and may not be required even if you do
N	Watchdog	Watchdog.exe	Definitely part of the Mustek scanner drivers and software (for 600 III EP Plus and maybe others), launches from the Startup folder in the Start Menu, but not required as they give instructions on removing it on their webpage
?	WatchDog	watchdog.exe	Part of Motorola "Mobile Phone Tools" v3 - in a "Mobiile Phone Tools" sub-directory of Program Files
N	WaveTop Launcher	WaveTop.exe	WaveTop - "Get push content from TV without an Internet connection" - now possibly a defunct system in the US included as an optional part of WebTV in Win98
N	WaveTop Receiver 1	N/A	WaveTop - "Get push content from TV without an Internet connection" - now possibly a defunct system in the US included as an optional part of WebTV in Win98
N	WaveTop Receiver 2	N/A	WaveTop - "Get push content from TV without an Internet connection" - now possibly a defunct system in the US included as an optional part of WebTV in Win98
N	WaveTop Upload Manager	N/A	WaveTop - "Get push content from TV without an Internet connection" - now possibly a defunct system in the US included as an optional part of WebTV in Win98
N	Wbiff	Wbiff.exe	Wbiff! E-mail checker - automatically checks your e-mail and notifies you if any new e-mail has been received
?	Wbutton	Wbutton.exe	Related to the Wacom Penabled driver on Acer Tablet PCs. Appears to do nothing so is it required?
N	WCESCOMM	WCESCOMM.EXE	Active sync for use with Windows CE based palm PC
U	wcmdmgr	wcmdmgrl.exe	Web Driver delivery system for WildTangent on-line games. Periodically checks for updates - can be disabled within the programs control panel. Note that WildTanget's privacy policy used to state that they also collect and share individuals information but this is no longer the case
N	wcmdmgr.exe	wcmdmgr.exe	Web Driver delivery system for WildTangent on-line games. Periodically checks for updates - can be disabled within the programs control panel. Note that WildTanget's privacy policy used to state that they also collect and share individuals information but this is no longer the case
U	wcmdmgrl	wcmdmgrl.exe	Web Driver delivery system for WildTangent on-line games. Periodically checks for updates - can be disabled within the programs control panel. Note that WildTanget's privacy policy used to state that they also collect and share individuals information but this is no longer the case
U	WCOLOREAL	coloreal.exe	Makes colours sharper and brighter, but will only work with coloreal capable monitors
?	WCPC	wintsvcc.exe	??
X	WCPI	wintsvit.exe	PurityScan/Clickspring adware
X	WCPS	Wint**.exe [* = random char]	PurityScan/Clickspring adware
X	WCPT	wintsvtr.exe	PurityScan/Clickspring adware
U	WD Button Manager	WDBtnMgr.exe	Button manager installed with a western digital external disk drive. Allows you to back up your system with one click
X	WDInfo	wdinfo.exe	Added by the DLUCA.B TROJAN!
X	wdskctl	wdskctl.exe	IEPlugin spyware
X	wdwctrl	wdwctrl.exe	Added by the DLUCA.E TROJAN!
N	WEATHER	WEATHER.EXE	Weatherbug provides current outdoor temperature in the System Tray, also weather alerts. Available via Start -> Programs
N	WeatherCast	Weather.exe	Weather reporting in the System Tray. Available via Start -> Programs. Installed via Radlight
X	WeatherOnTray	WeatherOnTray.exe	Hotbar's Weather Forecast tool for your desktop - adware
N	WeatherWatcher	ww.exe	WeatherWatcher - weather reporting in the System Tray
X	web	******.exe [* = random char]	Added by a variant of the EASTO.A TROJAN!
?	Web Search	??	??
X	Web Service	[random filename].exe	Added by the ADMINCASH TROJAN!
Y	web3trap	web3trap.exe	PC-Cillin 2000 anti-virus software -> ActiveX filter. Guards against malicious ActiveX programs, etc
X	webalize	webalize.exe	Searchcentrix hijacker
N	WebArmyKnife	WAK.exe	Web Army Knife - a suite of web site developer's tools
X	webassist	webassist.exe	Adware popup generator
?	Webcam Go Sti Service Application	wbcgosvc.exe	Control software for the portable Creative Video Blaster Webcam Go digital camera/PC web cam. What does it do and is it required?
N	WebcamRT.exe	WEBCAMRT.exe	For Logitech Web Cams. Not required - camera works fine without it
X	Webcelerator	webcel.exe	Webcelerator from eAcceleration speeds your Web browsing by both remembering where you have been and anticipating where you will go. Only needed if you find it improves web browsing. Spyware and troublesome - see here
X	WebCheck	WebCheck.pif	Added by the CONE.C or CONE.F WORMS!
X	WebCpr0	WebCpr0.exe	Web_CPR/TopMoxie adware
X	Webdav.exe	webdav.exe	IRC DDoS bot which gives the hacker full control over your system
X	WebHancer Agent	whagent.exe	System Tray application that starts up Webhancer software. Software that optimizes your web browser and is also advertising spyware that you can find out about here
X	webHancer Survey Companion	whSurvey.exe	WebHancer foistware - traffic measurement service that uses a client agent that is stealth installed on user machines, gathering detailed data about sites visited, their performance and, most important, what the user actually does while there
X	WebInstall	WebInstall.exe	ClipGenie adware downloader
X	WebInstall2	WebInstall.exe	ClipGenie adware downloader
N	WebKey	WebKey.exe	WebKey from JB Utilities. Utility to keep track of login data required when browsing the internet
N	WebOutfitterTray	sttray.exe	Intel WebOutfitter service System Tray icon
N	Webposition Gold 2	wpsche~1.exe	Scheduler for Web Position Gold - utility to help optimize the position of web-sites in search engines
X	WebRebates0	WebRebates0.exe	WebRebates adware
X	WebRun	[Trojan filename]	Added by the ADWARELOADER TROJAN!
U	websaverlive	websaverlive.exe	WebSaver Live! is a companion program to Websaver that retrieves information from the Internet on a schedule and displays it on your screen when your computer is idle
X	WebSavingsfromEbates	WebSavingsfromEbatesrun.exe	Web Savings From Ebates Software, a shopping tool that opens pop-up windows
X	WebSavingsFromEbates0	WebSavingsFromEbates0.exe	Web Savings From Ebates Software, a shopping tool that opens pop-up windows
X	WebScan	DEFSCANGUI.EXE	eAcceleration Stop-Sign related - not recommended, see note
N	webscan	stopsignav.exe	eAcceleration Stop-Sign related - not recommended, see note
Y	WebScanX	WebScanX.exe	From McAfee VirusScan up to version 4.x. Provides functionality for VShield Download Scan and Internet Filter modules. Enables internet scanning. Guards against malicious ActiveX programs, etc
X	websearch	wjview ...websearch.exe	"Web Savings" From Ebates Software, a shopping tool that opens pop-up windows
X	WebSecureAlert	WebSecureAlert.exe	WebSecureAlert. "Can help protect your browser security and privacy". However, it's by GAIN Publishing, and will display pop up ads on your computer screen based on your online Web surfing behavior
?	WebServer	VBI_SE~1.EXE	Related to a Pinnacle sound card. What does it do and is it needed?
N	Webshots	Webshots Tray.exe	Screensaver program that automatically downloads from the webshots web site
N	Webshots	websho~1.exe	Screensaver program that automatically downloads from the webshots web site
X	WebSpecials	rundll32 [path] webspec.dll	WebSpecials spyware
X	Websx	Int*****.exe	Adult content dialler - where ***** are random
Y	Webtrap	webtrap.exe	Part of PC-Cillin anti-virus software. Checks web-sites for malicious Java and ActiveX elements in a similar way to McAfee WebScanX. A few users find it infuriating
Y	WebTrapNT.exe	WebTrapNT.exe	Part of PC-Cillin Anti-Virus software. Checks visited web-sites for malicious Java and ActiveX elements
U	WebWasher	wwasher.exe	Free Pop-up/ad/javascript filter program from Siemens. If not running then browsers will not be protected but will still work. Available via Start -> Programs
N	Welcome	Welcome.exe	Launches the Welcome to Windows tutorial on boot up
?	WEPstat	Wepstat.exe	Cisco Aironet 340 Series PC Card driver. If it can be started manually it shouldn't be required if you don't use the PC card facility regularily - hence the status could be "U". Can anybody confirm this?
X	wersds	doriot.exe	Added by the JECT.C TROJAN!
N	WetSock	wetsock.exe	RoboMagic Wetsock - weather reporting in the System Tray
N	WFGStartup	WFGStartup.exe	World Weather. "This midlet displays the current weather conditions for major cities around the world. This version is for memory limited mobile phones"
U	wfips	iphider.exe	ICQ (messaging/chat program) anti-bomb software. "WFIPS is anti-bomb software for safeguarding ICQ Bomb before the bombing. 'ICQ Defoolder' is a tool for removing ICQ bomb after being exposed." For more information about ICQ bombs see here
N	WFXCTL32.EXE	WFXCTL32.EXE	From WinFax 10.0 and possibly earlier versions. Appears if you chose to have WinFax appear in the taskbar (System Tray) during installation and displays a yellow fax/telephone icon. Available via Start -> Programs
Y	wfxsnt40	wfxsnt40.exe	WinFax 10.0 and maybe earlier versions. The program that opens the port for WinFax and not normally in the start menu. Needed if you want to run WinFax
?	WFXSwtch	WFXSWTCH.exe	Related to WinFax. What does it do and is it required?
Y	WG511WLU	WG511WLU.exe	Netgear configuration programme for the 54g wireless lan card - required to monitor and manage the lan card
U	WGWLocalManager	WGWLocalManager.exe	Part of Flash-Networks NettGain2000 product. NettGain 2000 is a combined hardware/software networking solution, which is designed to improve performance of satellite networks by increasing data transmission speeds and maximizing the existing bandwidth for complete utilization when sending TCP/IP applications over a satellite. It is needed when connecting to the internet via satellite to provide speed faster than 60k or so. It could be started by creating a shortcut, running it only when connecting to the internet. If internet is used often, it's recommended to leave it in startup so it starts with the system