Autoruns : The ultimate configuration tool for Windows startup processes

Autoruns is a free tool Microsoft's Sysinternals suite, which lists all the prethe ones that start automatically on a Windows machine and gives you the right to configure them.

autoruns sysinternals windows

Windows provides you with some built-in features to control and configure the applications and processes that start automatically in Windows.

An example of such a function is the Task Manager, which has a "Startup" section in its navigation window. The same information can also be found in the Settings app and under Apps > Launch. And the MSConfig utility gives you corresponding information.

These utilities are probably enough for most Windows users, but they don't really give you a full picture of what's loaded every time you start the your. In fact, there are many more complex ways in which a software can be configured to start automatically.

There are many places deep within Windows that can schedule a startup without you even realizing it. Thus, in the background of Windows, various processes, such as auxiliary objects of the programs, run at any time that you have installed, scheduled tasks, services, drivers, and even some almost undetectable methods like Image Hijacks and AppInit_dlls.

What is Autoruns?

If you're looking for a program that will show you everything that starts automatically, then Autoruns is the perfect solution.

This utility shows you which programs are set to run at startup or when the system connects or when starting various built-in Windows applications (such as Internet Explorer, Explorer, etc.).

Autoruns tells you all the hidden places responsible for an automatic startup, such as the Windows registry, timers and more. Autoruns goes far beyond that other utilities to control autostart processes and applications.

Download and requirements

When you use Autoruns, you will see a list of all executable applications and processes that start automatically on your computer.

This list includes Windows services, run entries, and many other, lesser-known, autostart methods. Before making any correction or deletion in the list it is recommended that you first run a scan to see if these are malicious programs or programs that are not required to start automatically.

Just be careful when modifying anything, especially drivers and services, as most of them are necessary for your Windows applications and components. The mistake of removing an autostart may cause and operating system malfunctions.

Autoruns exists in both x86 and x64 versions. It is a portable program and you can download from here.

Using Autoruns

By default, when you first open Autoruns you will find yourself in the tab Everything (All). Most likely You will be surprised with how many executables are automatically launched!

autoruns sysinternals windows

The Everything tab shows every startup item from every other category. Of course, you can browse the individual tabs to further filter the information.

Each tab gives you an idea of ​​the mechanism used by the launcher. For example, the tab Logon (Login) shows all items loaded when o connects to Windows. On the other hand, the tab Explore lists all startup items associated with the File Explorer process when it is running.

To stop any startup item from running, simply deselect the check box next to the program on the left. To delete an autostart configuration entry, use the Delete (trash) button.

The “Options” (Επιλογές) περιλαμβάνει πολλές επιλογές φιλτραρίσματος της λίστας, όπως την εμφάνιση μόνο εγγραφών που δεν ανήκουν στα Windows ή στην Microsoft, καθώς και to a scan options dialog, from where you can enable signature verification, per-user scanning, and virus file submission.

Autoruns can be run from the Windows Command Prompt. Its usage syntax is:

Information on all the above switches you can take from here.

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Autoruns, Sysinternals, Windows, Microsoft, tools

Written by Dimitris

Dimitris hates on Mondays .....

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