This is a basic listing of the most popular programs and their Windows Startup filename MSCONFIG DICTIONARY Adaptec DirectCD UDF reader. The UDF format allows a formatted CD-RW disc (or CD-R disc) to have files written directly to it from Explorer. If this capability isn't used frequently, then this doesn't need to be loaded. Adobe Gamma Loader.exe Used by Adobe applications to improve the agreement of colors on the monitor and colors as they appear when printed. Not required for most uses of the computer. Ahqtb More controls for a Creative sound card. ATI... These are associated with an ATI Rage graphics card. They are probably shortcuts to display settings and may be helpful in running games. AttuneClientEngine Allows Aveo Attune to monitor system in order to create Intelligrams. AudioHQ This loads the desktop control panel for the Creative Live card. Avconsole EXE This is part of McAfee Antivirus. Disabling it will prevent McAfee from automatically scanning files as they are added to your computer. -----------------\ Motive Monitor Mad.exe Dell Resolution Assistant RxUser/Mon -----------------/ CalReminder shortcut Produces a pop-up reminder of events scheduled using the MS Works Calendar. -----------------\ CleanSweep These modules can be run manually. Note, however, that preventing these items SmartSweep from loading at startup may result in loss of functionality. For instance, SmartSweep InternetSweep monitors what files are added or modified when a program installs - but only if it is CSInject running. If you prevent it from loading at startup, you may not be able to fully uninstall -----------------/ uninstall programs that have poorly written uninstall programs. Controller This starts WinFax Pro at startup. This needs to be loaded if you want WinFax to receive incoming faxes automatically. Critical Update Contacts Microsoft frequently looking for updates. Uncheck it and visit the update site manually. CTFMon CTFMON is involved with the language/alternative input services in Office XP. CTFMON.exe will continue to put itself back into MSConfig when you run the Office XP apps as long as the Text Services and Speech applets in the Control Panel are enabled. CTSysVol This is associated with a Creative sound card, and adds volume controls to the Windows volume controls. devldr16.exe Associated with Creative Labs sound cards. Provides audio support for DOS applications. Disknag If present, this program is used to remind you to create backup diskettes for factory-installed programs for which no diskettes were provided. If you have created these diskettes, you can uncheck this item. EM-EXEC This is part of the Logitech mouse software, and disabling it will disable some of the advanced features provided by the Logitech mouse. For instance, Smart Move will not work if this is disabled. ENCMON This monitors the time remaining in your factory installed AT&T free internet trial. This program should be disabled unless you are using the AT&T browser that was included as part of your AT&T free internet trial. EPSON Background Mon This program provides an icon in the system tray area that can be used to check on the status of any properly configured Epson printer. This program, however, is not required to print - just to view the status. Explorer While you can disable (uncheck) this item in msconfig, it will still load at startup. This program is responsible for displaying your desktop and all of its icons. Hidserv.exe Run This is the Human Interface Device Server, it is required if you are using USB Audio Devices. HotSync This is the Palm Pilot hotsync manager. It can readily be launched manually. HP ScanPicture Included with some HP scanners, it adds a "Scan Picture" option to the File menu of some common productivity applications. If this is disabled, the scanner will still function when accessed through the Start menu. ICQ NetDetect Agent This program check periodically to determine if you are connected to the Internet, and if you are, starts ICQ. ICSMGR Monitors DNS and DHCP requests for ICS (Internet Connection Sharing). Iomega Disk Icons A part of Zip Tools, this program changes the icon and description associated with an Iomega Zip drive from a generic Removable Disk icon and description to an Iomega Zip drive icon. Iomega Startup Opt A part of Zip Tools, this program adds the right-click context menu selections for the Zip drive. Iomega Watch A part of Zip Tools, this program causes your Zip drive to spin down when not in use.. LoadPowerProfile This is required if you are using Power Management accessed through Start, Settings, Control Panel, Power. If so, there will be two instances. This is normal. Do not uncheck one unless you uncheck both. Loadqm Loads the MSN Explorer Query Manager Machine Debug Manager This program is part of Visual Studio 6.0, and is only needed when you plan to use a second machine to debug programs (that you have developed) that are running on this computer. McAfeeWebScanX Part of McAfee - this program is responsible for automatically checking all incoming E-mail and files downloaded from the Web for viruses. Mixghost This is the speaker management software for ACS 495 speakers. Disabling this will prevent the on-screen volume control from appearing when the volume control knob on the speaker is turned. MicroAttuneDownload Aveo Attune AttuneClientEngine Microsoft Critical Detects and installs critical updates from the Microsoft site. Update Microsoft Find Fast Find Fast is installed as part of the Microsoft Office, and can generate index files to speed searches for files on your hard drive. Note that this program, although it loads at startup, does not generate index files by default, and it is not necessary to search your hard drive, although it does improve speed somewhat. Microsoft Greetings Provides notifications when dates scheduled in Greetings Workshop calendar are reached. Reminders Microsoft Office Microsoft Office Startup preloads some .DLL files to help speed the launch of Startup Microsoft Office. Also places icon in System Tray. Microsoft Works This program provides notifications when dates on the MS Works calendar are reached. Calendar Microsoft Works Portfolio, WorksFUD, Microsoft Update Detection, Cal reminder shortcut These are used by Works Suite 2001. They are used to check for updates and announce reminders that were set up. mmtray Places a Music Box Jukebox icon in the task tray. mosearch Fast Search in Office XP - similar to the new revision of the Find Fast feature in Office 2000. Fast Search uses the Indexing Services in Office XP to create a catalog of Office files on your computer's hard disk. ---------------------\ Motive Monitor If you remove Motive Monitor, Mad.exe, and RxUser from the StartUp folder, you Mad.exe will disable the Dell Resolution Assistant. If you remove these entries during RXUser troubleshooting, you must restore them to the StartUp folder prior to using Resolution Assistant Resolution Assistant and after your troubleshooting is complete. ---------------------/ MS Money Startup Launches Microsoft Money. MSMSGS MSN Messenger Service. NAV defalert This is a reminder from Norton Antivirus to update virus signatures. Norton AutoProtect This program is part of Norton Antivirus, and scans for viruses when you open a program or file. Norton Crashguard This program is designed to improve system stability by changing the way Monitor Windows and programs interact. In some cases, however, programs have been known to fail when this program is installed because Windows does not act as expected. Norton Email Protect This is required for Norton E-Mail Protect to work properly. If you uncheck this item, and have properly configured and set it up, then you will be unable to retrieve your e-mail. Norton System Doctor This program is included in some versions of Norton. It works to monitor your system configuration and alert you when the configuration changes in ways that may cause problems. In some cases, the program will incorrectly believe that a problem exists, and rarely causes problems. PC Health This file is required for the System Restore utility to function properly in Windows Me. The program takes a snapshot of the registry and places the information into data archive. Pointer This is part of the Microsoft Intellipoint mouse software. If not loaded, then the wheel will not work in many applications. Power Reg Scheduler Displays reminders to register software. Promon.exe This is associated to the Intel NIC diags. QuickShelf 99 Places an icon in the system tray for launching Microsoft Bookshelf. Real Jukebox Systray This program is part of Real Jukebox programs - if it is loaded, you can launch Real Jukebox by double clicking on the icon in the system tray, and it will periodically check to see if you are connected to the Internet. If so, it will check with RealAudio’s Web site to see if updates are available. RealTray This program is part of Real Audio, and works the same as Real Jukebox. Reminder This program is part of MS Money that notifies you when key dates pass the due dates for scheduled bills. rnaapp Used in Dial Up Networking. It loads when you initiate a connection. run=hpfsched This program pops up a reminder to register a new HP printer or scanner. Rundll32.exe This general-purpose program can be used to directly run individual routines encoded into a .DLL file. One example commonly found in msconfig is the use of rundll32 to create the Change Display Resolution icon in the system tray. ScanReg This program makes copies of the Windows Registry after it scans at startup. Useful for backing up in the event of a corrupted Registry. Note that while this program loads at Startup, it does not remain in memory after the backup has been generated. Scheduling Agent Task Scheduler is a program included with Windows 95 and 98 to automate certain system maintenance procedures, such as defragmenting your hard drive, scanning your disks for errors, and warning you when you are low on free disk space. Ssdpsrv.exe This file provides the Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) and General Event Notification Architecture (GENA) services for Universal Plug and Play functionality. State Manager This file is required for the System Restore utility to function properly in Windows Me. The program takes a snapshot of the registry and places the information into data archive. Stimon.exe / This program is included with some HP scanners. If your scanner includes this StillImageMonitor program, then it must be running for your scanning software to work properly. Systray Like Explorer, this program will load even if you remove the checkmark. It is also part of the operating system responsible for the start button and taskbar region of the screen. TaskMonitor This program is part of Windows 98, and is used to monitor the way in which applications access the hard drive. This information is stored in files that the Microsoft Disk Defragmenter program will use to improve the efficiency of disk access. tbctray Adds a link to the Santa Cruz control panel into the systray TCAUTIEXE / TCAUDIAG These are associated with the 3COM diagnostic module (3COM NIC Doctor). Tips This program provides information on features of your Intellipoint mouse. Touch Manager A keyboard utility. TweakUI This program is available in Microsoft’s Web site and allows you to adjust a number of features that are not otherwise adjustable. Depending on the options selected, this program may need to load at startup to effect the changes. If TweakUI is used to enter a network password, it will be listed twice. VoyetraTray This provides an abbreviated Control Group for the Turtle Beach Montego II sound functions associated with AudioStation 3 and 32. Vs_Stat, Vsecomr McAfee anti-virus program. If you are careful about downloads and faithfully Vshwin32, Vsstat perform manual virus scans, this can be unchecked. For most users, however, it should remain checked and active. Wkcalrem / The Works Calendar Reminder. Calreminder WKDETECT A program that automatically looks for updates for Microsoft Works. WorksFUD (wkfud.exe) A marketing program for Microsoft Works. ZipDisk Icons Related to the Zip drive. Portable Specific Items AtiPTA AtiPOLAB Ati2CWXX AtiGART Loads display driver applications used to configure the settings of video card. This application shows up in the systray as an icon. It also activates a polling routine that intercepts hotkeys to process, such as the use of + to cycle through the displays. Do NOT permanently disable these items. Battery Bar This is a utility for estimating the amount of life left on the battery. It can be launched manually when on battery power. BayMgr (Softex Bay Manager) This application is needed for hot-swapping devices in and out of the media bay. Used to swap battery, floppy drive, dvd drive, etc IrMon This is required for IrDA to be active. Power Meter Monitors Battery strength and the AC power source for the batteries. Can be launched manually. Prpcui This is the Intel Speed Step Utility. With this you can adjust the speed of the processor with different power configurations with battery or AC power. Syntpenh Syntplpr Adds advanced features to the Synaptics TouchPad and Track Stick drivers. Regtrk Norton Registry Tracker. Leave it enabled if you want Norton to monitor changes to the Windows registry.