Unidentified applications in System Configuration Utility Startup tab

[gtc]

While troubleshooting a virtual memory problem (that seems to have been associated with Norton Internet Security) I found 4 startup items with no name and no Command. The location is the only information and it is the same for all 4 lines: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Run.

Does anyone know what this is or how to find out?

TIA,
gtc

 

[linney]

your HKEY Local Machine > Software > Microsoft > Windows >Current version> Run.
Where run is a list of paths, programs etc that are set to run at start up. These entries are usually placed here as you install software that wants to run at start up. If there is no entry then it means nothing is using these keys to load software at start up.

 

[gtc]

Thanks! Given that all boxes were checked, I was concerned that there might be some kind of stealth program(s) running.
gtc

 

[linney]

I don't know why those boxes are checked if there is no program mentioned. Have a look at the actual reg keys and see what is listed there. It might be safer to uncheck those boxes if you haven't already.

 

[gtc]

That's the problem: How do I know what reg keys apply to invisible appplications? I see the blanks in msconfig, but when I go to regedit, I don't see any blanks. Of course I did uncheck the "empty" boxes.
Thanks again,
gtc

 

[linney]

Perhaps you could download something like Regcleaner from

http://www.jv16.org

and run that through the registry and clean it up. You can also use it to clean up the start up window in Msconfig (I think) and remove those strange entries.

Have a look at it is a good freeware program and hasn't caused me any problems for the past couple of years of use.

 

[bigjeff314159]

although RegCleaner is available seperately, the author has now bundled it with some other handy utilities in jv16 Power Tools. excellent freeware indeed.