Autoruns
With Autoruns you can see which programs, services and extensions start automatically on your Windows PC.
Developer Microsoft
Version 14.3 · Freeware · Windows
Looking for an alternative to Autoruns?Compare Glary Utilities.Compare alternativesAutoruns brings more startup locations in view then only the Task Manager Startup tab. You will see Explorer login items, services, drivers and extensions. You can disable an item without removing the corresponding software immediately. Filters help you to limit the list, for example by hiding signed Microsoft items. An unknown name does not prove that something is harmful: check publisher, file path and function before you intervene. The included command line version Autorunsc is mainly intended for those who want to export or automate overviews.
Compare Autoruns with alternatives
If you want to examine automatically started parts, check if you only want to see regular boot apps or services, drivers and extensions. Don't turn off an unknown component based on its name alone. Save the original setting so you can restore a change.
| Software | What can it do? | Platform and licence |
|---|---|---|
| AutorunsYou are viewing this app | You will see extensive Windows boot locations, including services, drivers and extensions. You can disable parts for research into start-up behaviour. | WindowsFreeware |
| Glary UtilitiesView this alternative | You use the boot management feature within a wider Windows maintenance package. This is useful if you also want to use other maintenance modules, but gives a different depth than Autoruns. | WindowsFreemium |
Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.
Who is it for?
You use Autoruns to investigate persistent start-up problems or find leftovers. For a beginner, only disabling a trusted app via Task Manager is often more convenient.
Getting started
Unpack the official Sysinternals package and launch the appropriate Windows version. Use admin permissions only when you also need to examine or modify system components.
Privacy
The inventory is done on your PC. Optional VirusTotal functions can send hashes and files depending on your setting. Read those options before you turn them on.
Good to know
Autoruns helps you see and disable startup parts. It doesn't independently assess which entry on your computer can safely disappear.
Please note
Do not disable unknown drivers or security services to experiment. First make an overview and change one item, so you know what to put back.
Advantages
- You will get a comprehensive overview of startup locations.
- You can disable items without removing them immediately.
- You can filter on Microsoft components, among other things.
Things to consider
- The list contains technical system components.
- An incorrect change can disrupt the startup.
- Online reputation control has an impact on data sharing.
Download Autoruns
The download page opens in a new tab.
Provider’s website · learn.microsoft.com
Version history
14.3
With this Sysinternals release, you can explore Windows boot locations and disable unwanted items in a targeted manner.
In online reputation research check hashes and file submission settings. Disabling an item is a different operation than deleting it.
Report a new version
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Our verdict
Autoruns is strong as a research tool when the regular boot list does not provide sufficient information. The app is especially valuable if you can point out findings and carefully reverse changes.
The app fits a targeted question about what is automatically loaded, not disable as many parts as possible at random. Publisher and file location help to assess an entry, but are not an independent guarantee about the function. Save a starting position and change one known part at a time. If you cannot determine what an item does, further research is wiser than treating the start-up list as a cleanup list.
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