Autoruns

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Avg. User Rating 4

Version: 9.12

Downloads Count: 181,497

License Type: Free

Price: Free

Date Added: Feb 25, 2008

Operating Systems: Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows Vista

File Size: 490 KB

Author: Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell

Editor's Review of Autoruns

To find out what programs are loading on your PC at startup, you can run the Windows-resident system configuration utility called MSCONFIG. But there's another free utility called Autoruns that does the job better. MSCONFIG entries tend to be rather cryptic, for example, but Autoruns includes a line of description for each entry in plain English. Autoruns also lets you Hide Signed Microsoft Entries, which allows you to quickly narrow your focus to third-party programs. Disabling or deleting entries requires just one click (so you'll need to be careful!). This function really saved my sanity when my system was breached by a scrap of regenerative malware.

Autoruns is one of the Sysinternals utilities developed by Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell. Somebody at Microsoft must have admired their work, because Microsoft bought the company last year and now touts these utilities from its own web site.

--Leigh Anne Jones

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Most recent User Reviews for Autoruns

Reviewed by: retleo99

01-05-2008

Duration of ownership: 3 Days

Strengths: I can only go by the other reviews, listed in the PC World Article "Put Some Sizzle in Your Startups, as I have yet to see it run

Weaknesses: I can't get it to run on XP

Overall Evaluation: First, I'm no noob. I downloaded this utility, using the "Save" option when downloading. I executed the download, and after the prompts, it showed that it was installing. I found no shortcut either on my desktop or the programs, so I searched and found the executable file [yes, the right one] but get nothing; no screen shot or any other indication that the program was working. Maybe someone can point out what I seem to be doing wrong. Fast Fix 1 in the Article worked fine, and I have no mapped network drive for Fast Fix 2, so this is the last one.
Reviewed by: Knifeblade

11-28-2007

Duration of ownership: 3 Months

Strengths: This utility takes away the confusion of deciphering what MSCONFIG shows. It pinpointed several empty files quickly, that were splashing onscreen with errors, and one-clicked them to oblivion. I wouldn't have been able to identify the files otherwise. Well worth the space, which is minimal, and for the price~~~~ Well, just get it!!!

Weaknesses: A somewhat difficult interface at first, but it didn't take very long to get used to.

Overall Evaluation: A great free utility that quickly and easily shows what's going on, with good descriptions of just what is going on. It does a thorough job of ridding unwanted files, and also offers a restore function if you go "Oops, I didn't want to do that".
Reviewed by: CrimsonFox

11-28-2007

Duration of ownership: 1 Months

Strengths: Easy to use. Easy to understand. Puts your mind at ease.

Weaknesses: None.

Overall Evaluation: This is an excellent program for all of those (and if you are not, you should be) who want to be aware of what's running when windows starts up. The program will tell you which application is running each startup program. If it is blank, you can click on 'verify' and the program will try and locate the application. If it still can't find it, one click will search for it on the web where it will show you a list of sites and forums where that specirfic program is discussed. Is it legit? Is it malware? This program will put your mind at ease.
Reviewed by: thescotsman

07-12-2007

Duration of ownership: 1 Days

Strengths: lists everyhing running on your system - if you are not sure what or why it is running right click on the item and select search web - from the web results pick a web site you are familiar with (i used castle cops) and it will tell you what you need to know -

Weaknesses: none so far

Overall Evaluation: excellent utility - i had various processes running that i was wary of - all turned out to be ligitamate and put me at ease - i will be using this every time i install a new program to check for malicious ware etc.

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