BleepingComputer.com: Windows XP

As I'm new here, I have a question: How can one identify a suspected bogus entry in the long list of startup events listed in the log file?

I can probably answer...if you can define what a "bogus entry" might be...and tell me what log file you are referring to.

There are many startup items which should not necessarily be classified as such...but many of them are legitimate entries put there by programs which think that it's easier for the user if the program component runs at startup.

As for looking up anything on the Web...Google is still the #1 tool I suggest.

If you want to monitor/manage startup items, I suggest using a tool like AutoRuns for Windows - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinte...s/bb963902.aspx but I further suggest that you confine yourself to the Logon tab of Autoruns. That is the tab which lists the items users normally mean when using the term "startups."

Louis

Google is an excellent resource.
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Bleeping Computer's own Startup Database is also a worthwhile stop on the research train. And you can also avail yourself of BC's Startup Programs forum for anything you're not sure about.
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Autoruns, like hamluis mentioned, is a very good way to see what is starting up with Windows. Confining yourself to the logon tab will also help you avoid disabling something important. A good rule to follow, though, is to never delete an entry using Autoruns, only disable it. That will allow you to easily restore an entry ahould it turn out to be important.

This post has been edited by Amazing Andrew: 05 September 2009 - 11:56 AM