Main Area and Open Discussion > General Software Discussion
Win Patrol Plus (Bits Du Jour- Fri) Chameleon Startup Manager, Startup Organizer
Steven Avery:
Hi Folks,
WinPatrol Plus discount on Friday - I placed this on the found sales and discounts. However here we could compare these three products and any others that are of similar quality. Let's mostly pass by the freebies, especially those that are not actively developed and supported or products that are not as hefty and stable, even if good products.
WinPatrol Plus on Bits Du Jour - Friday 2/13/09 - $14.95
http://www.bitsdujour.com/software/winpatrol-plus/
Personally I think a good startup manager is one of the utilities that are worth a small investment -- over freeware.
(WinPatrol also has a decent free version, possibly the best of the freeware alternatives.) A good startup organizer gives a firewall visibility type of help, may have some HIPS (Win Patrol Plus may have the most) and it can help with the startup issues like multiple startup configurations and startup delays -- and also just plain visibility, what starts where, programs and services. Two of these three products add more extra features, although many of us may handle those through other software like a task manager or a HIPS program. A good solid alarm (this new program will start up next time .. allow or rollback) is almost indispensable. In my experience the firewall products have not been strong on this protection .. although theoretically they should have such a user help.
The three that I like most are:
Startup Organizer - Metaproducts ($25 .. formerly DC discount 02/2008)
http://www.metaproducts.com/mp/Startup_Organizer.htm
Support Forum - Mild activity
http://www.metaproducts.com/forum/Forums_Post.asp?id=14
Chameleon Startup Manager ($24.95 - 40% DC Discount = $15 ) No forum
http://www.neosoft-tools.com/windows-startup-manager.htm
Free, Standard and Pro versions.
WinPatrol Plus - BillP Studios - no forum, nice blog and FAQ
http://www.winpatrol.com/
Free and Pro versions
In my limited experience:
Startup Organizer is the simplest, is well-organized and easy to understand and is very reliable.
Chameleon has more features. Note some design similarity to SO.
Win Patrol Plus also is feature-rich - perhaps with a wider variety and stronger malware awareness
There are another couple of dozen alternatives and some reasonable freeware. For most uses I recommend having one of the above. ... I started with Startup Organizer years ago so I tend to be sympathetic, yet the other two may have passed it by some. All three have gotten almost uniformly good mention on DonationCoder. The techies may have a preference for programs like Autoruns with the Sysinternals heritage, however the emphasis here I hope to be more simplicity and clarity and moderate-tech usability :) .
Your thoughts ?
Anybody ready to write up a start-up shoot-out ?
Shalom,
Steven Avery
superboyac:
Thanks Steven. I'm curious about the comparisons also. WinPatrol seems like a solid piece of software. I've never used a startup manager except for a short time a couple of years ago, and I never really understood why I needed one. To me, as long as I have a pretty fast computer, I don't need the manager. But I don't know, I haven't thought about it too much.
Steven Avery:
Hi Folks,
Right superboyac. I do not think about this in terms of speed, although it is true that when 20 programs try to load at once you can get log-jam city. Yawn, take a break, hope there is no clash.
The idea is more for :
a) visibility - what really is loading, and where is it coming from. And which users is a program loading for, and maybe I want to change this and that.
b) security - why did that program go into a startup place, is that authorized ? And .. oops .. an alert .. now such-and-such has changed, do I agree ?
c) multiple configurations
(rather than handle that through the clunkiness of additional "Users")
d) loading order - for some this may come to play
And speed --> (e).
Which is especially the usage of easy-setup startup delays
I think Chameleon is a lot stronger than Startup Organizer on the multiple configurations (the option of a prompt at the beginning of loading .. which config do you want?) .. that is from memory, I don't remember that feature on SO.
Maybe laters I will try to do more in at least listing the features at issue. Off to work.
Shalom,
Steven Avery
bgd77:
I use Startup Control Panel and Startup Monitor from http://www.mlin.net/
Thay are free, simple, do not use to much resources and I have never had any troubles on XP.
Steven Avery:
Hi Folks,
I use Startup Control Panel and Startup Monitor from http://www.mlin.net/ Thay are free, simple, do not use to much resources and I have never had any troubles on XP. -bgd77 (March 11, 2009, 10:54 AM)
--- End quote ---
Very possibly the best of the current freeware, with mention also of WinPatrol Free and some more below :). Apparently no more active development or support, Michael Lin has moved in other directions the last few years. (This was on another DC thread.) When I tried it I found the two programs instead of one a bit awkward and preferred Startup Organizer.
====================================
DONATIONCODER threads, for those who want to come up to speed.
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=13925.0
In need of a "system startup manager" 07/2008 - 1 pg.
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=12743.0
IDEA? simple startup manager with timer 03/2008 - 1 pg. (delay feature)
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=12356.0
AnVir - Task manager. Startup manager. Speed up boot time and performance. - 1 pg.
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=7879.0
To manage the startup procedure 03/2007 - 1 pg (StartRight)
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=7882.0
Startup manager 03/2007 - 1 pg (mentions about 10 programs)
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=7301.0
Chameleon Startup Manager - discount - 2007- 3 pages - (discussion with Evgeni - developer)
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=4420.0
Good programs for helping you manage what programs start with windows? 06/2007 3 pgs
(Good wide-ranging discussion)
Two of the Software Organizer mentions by Mouser
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=5577.0
All MetaProducts Software - 30% Discount - 10/2006 1 pg.
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=12052.0
February 2008 Discounts and Shareware Giveaway
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=686.0
startup/tasks manager? - 02/2006
========================================
FREEWARES
Generally the ones toward the top have more pizazz than the ones toward the bottom. There is a wide range here, from the simple to intermediate to the techie to helping with problems, an interesting assortment.
Note that some may find programs that others miss, rather a critical issue if you are trying to be 100%. (And their handling of 'services' will vary -- knowing that the distinction between services and applications can be gray.) Looking around, some of these surprised me in various ways .. sleepers and unexpected authors of quality that have startup programs. The first three are in both the free and paid sections.
WinPatrol Free (features compared to Plus) - Bill Pytlovany (BillP Studios, Scotia, NY, USA)
http://www.winpatrol.com/whyplus.html?index
The Plus difference is HIPS, malware detection.
Recommended unless you have this well handled by other programs.
Chameleon Startup Manager Free - Evgeni Shmakov (Russia) - see next post below
StartEd Lite - Outertech - (Germany) Linkman developers (StartEd Pro = $20)
http://www.outertech.com/index.php?_charisma_page=product&id=9
"StartEd Lite, a special edition of StartEd without the backup feature, but completely free for private non-commercial use as well as for use in charity organizations and educational use."
=========
Windows Defender
(Microsoft Vista product available for XP)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=435BFCE7-DA2B-4A6A-AFA4-F7F14E605A0D&displaylang=en&mg_id=10134
Startup Control Panel - CPL - Mike Lin (NJ, USA) - excellent rep .. no updates for some years
http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
Startup Monitor
http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml
RunAlyzer (from Spybot Search & Destroy - Patrick M. Kolla - PepiMK - Germany)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/runalyzer/index.html
Forums
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=8
Autoruns - Sysinternals - Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell, (now Microsoft, small outfit in WA, USA)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
Forum
http://forum.sysinternals.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=16
In Gizmo's "Cleanup Kit" (01/2009)
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/jonathant-cleanup-kit.htm
With recommendation to use the bleepingcomputer database (below)
Starter - Codestuff - (09/2006 last update) - ADDED: Updates May 2009
http://codestuff.tripod.com/
Forum (active in 2009)
http://codestuff.7.forumer.com/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=f7a985892074ceb3a589c39fa2593d7f
Runscanner - Geert Moernaut (Belgium) Freeware startup and hijack analyzer
http://www.runscanner.net/ % http://www.moernaut.com/
WhatInStartup (2009)
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/what_run_in_startup.html
Autostart and Process Viewer (APV) - Konrad Papala - (Poland)
http://www.konradp.com/products/autostart-and-process-viewer/
ASViewer - Diamond CS - (Perth, Australia)
http://www.diamondcs.com.au/freeutilities/asviewer.php
(Autostart locations below in techie and articles section)
a-squared HiJackFree - Emsi (Austria) - (Pro==Biz or support $20) updated 05/2008
http://www.hijackfree.com/en/
Forum
http://forum.emsisoft.com/Default.aspx?g=topics&f=3
StartRight - JoeJoe's (Jan 2007 Beta, active with ArsClip and other freeware)
http://www.joejoesoft.com/cms/showpage.php?cid=113
Startup Delayer - r2 Studios - Cliff Cawley - (Brisbane Australia)
http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay
Auto Run Manager - Revo (Bulgaria) with the fine uninstaller "VS Revo Group"
http://www.revouninstaller.com/auto_run_manager_startup_manager.html
OSAM - Online Solutions AutoRun Manager (Russia, v 4.0 released 09/2009)
http://www.online-solutions.ru/en/osam_autorun_manager.php
Forum
http://forum.online-solutions.ru/viewforum.php?f=3
StartupList - Merijn Bellekom (Holland) author of Hijack This - 2006
http://75.127.110.25/~merijn/programs.php
StartupListUI - (front-end by R2 of Long Beach, CA)
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,6835488~root=security,1~mode=flat
(HijackThis in special security section below.)
Jockersoft Startup Delayer - (Italy - updated 09/2008) Donationware
http://www.jockersoft.com/english/startupdelayer_index.php
Forum
http://www.jockersoft.altervista.org/forum/index.php
Mischel Autostart Explorer (2002) - Magnus Mischel, (British company)
http://www.misec.net/products/autostartexplorer/
Forum (active support - 2009)
http://www.misec.net/forum/board/AExp
Startup Manager by Brad Stowers (2003) (Australia)
http://f2.org/archive/software/startupmgr.html
A-spy v.0.09 - Xiaoyu Zhang (Denmark)
http://vipmeister.com/dl/aspy/aspy.html
Quick Startup - GlarySoft (China) (from their utilities suite)
http://www.glarysoft.com/quick-startup/
Startup Guard - Acelogix - (India)
http://www.acelogix.com/freeware.html
Informs of new entries, not full manager, can be used in tandem with the freebies
here that do not have a warning feature, as mentioned by a DC poster.
And there is an Auto-Start Manager in the commercial Acelogix Utilities package "Ace Utilities"
Forum
http://www.acelogix.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=3
Mz StartUp Manager - Michael Zacharias (Greece)
http://www.mztweak.com/MzStart.html
Mz Services Manager
http://www.mztweak.com/MzServices.html
XenCare Startup Blaster (2008) - main product Softlock
http://www.xencare.com/site/product_startup_blaster.php
"Seattle, USA based software security solution provider .. offshore development site in Dhaka, Bangladesh."
Gives addy and phone # - forum is online and spammed (call and tell them !)
Startup Manager - Where's James (pic is unimpressive, tho some niceties)
http://www.wheresjames.com/index.php?page=startupmgr
Startup Apps list
http://www.wheresjames.com/index.php?page=sa
st-m (Startup Manager) - Open Source - Glenn Van Loon - rereleased December 2008
http://startupmanager.org/
Forum
http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=462822
----
This last is quite unusual, first as Open Source and as Google ads lead to :
http://files.uberdownloads.com/apps/startup_manager/index.php
Startup Manager - Uber Downloads
And uber downloads is dubious.
That that may not be the st-m problem, simply a commercial venture taking advantage of open source. More research suggested, such as correspondence with Glenn and SourceForge. Also loading for comparison, as the only open source in the group. (Followup: further research has not found any significant concern with uberdownloads nor any connection with Glenn.)
Windows XP Startup Tracker v3.8 - Updated 10/31/2003
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_starttrack.htm
Doug Knox has a good tweaks and fixes website. The program has not been updated from 5+ years yet still was mentioned respectfully in the Bytes post since it creates a log file. (Discussed below.)
WinStartup v1.00 (2005)
http://www.rjlsoftware.com/software/utility/winstartup/default.shtml
Startup Xpert - Enplase Research - (Ukraine) - screen pic looks too simple
http://enplase.com/pages/StartupXPert+description.html
Five other titles on Giveaway of the Day
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/category/enplase-research-corporation/
Ashampoo StartUp Tuner 2
http://www2.ashampoo.com/webcache/html/1/product_2_0117___USD.htm
Startup Manager by Ali Keshavarz (Iran) (2007)
http://www.vcldeveloper.serverheaven.net/startup_manager.htm
Startup Manager Snapshots
http://www.vcldeveloper.serverheaven.net/
Startup Inspector (2007) - William Yang (London, England)
http://www.windowsstartup.com/startupinspector.php
Startup Monitor
http://www.windowsstartup.com/startupmonitor.php
Startup Inspector
Snapfiles reviews -- database is insufficient, program is sound. This is a Pacman's Portal database however the last entry given is 2007. And note that the "Forum" link is busted. This program is mentioned positively in the Byte forum post below without these caveats.
StartupRun v1.22 - Nir Sofer (USA) (2004) - replaced by WhatinStartup above (2009)
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/strun.html
================================
Top Task/Process Managers Freeware with Startup module
System Explorer (Czech Republic)
http://systemexplorer.mistergroup.org/
Anvir Task Manager Free (Russia)
http://www.anvir.com/task-manager-windows-startup.htm (features of free and Pro)
Startup Guard
http://www.anvir.com/new-startup-item.htm
Windows Startup, Startup Manager, Windows XP Startup, Startup Programs
http://www.anvir.com/windows-startup-programs-xp.htm
To receive stronger Anvir: http://dottech.org/headline/7292
dotTech Exclusive: Free AnVir Task Manager!
===================================================
Cleaners (and Utility Suites) with startup managers or helps.
ccleaner - http://www.ccleaner.com/ Piriform (USA)
Forum
http://forum.piriform.com/index.php?s=c5485c94d65a218c203bb9636fe59eb5&showforum=4
nCleaner - http://www.nkprods.com/ncleaner/ Boghiu Andrei (Romania)
Forum
http://www.nkprods.com/forum/index.php?board=3.0
Comodo System Cleaner
http://system-cleaner.comodo.com/
Forum
http://forums.comodo.com/comodo_system_cleaner_fileregistryprivacy_cleaner-b124.0/
(Apparently this module was on, off, and is back on again.)
Advanced SystemCare Free v3 - Iobit
http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html
Forum
http://forums.iobit.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8
(Some concerns that Iobit is becoming more commercial-oriented.)
ProCleaner Freeware System Optimizer & Privacy Tool
http://procleaner.net/procleaner/
Not much info, 2007 launched and last update, carried by Major Geeks, have dll library
Company "Emergency Soft" sells History Killer, actively updated in 2009, and other softwares and recent webforum.
Note that Major Geeks warns that ccleaner simply uses msconfig, which would make it a limited tool. The lighter programs in general may miss entries that are in less likely places. Even Mike Lin's program was said to miss the (usually unused) windows.ini file. This is one reason why you might want to go heavier weight and why a comparison can be very helpful -- startup programs are here and there and under the rug.
================================================
TECH AUTO-START
http://freeware.wikia.com/wiki/Lists_of_freeware_analysis_tools#Autostart_and_other_listers
Autostart and other listers
http://www.diamondcs.com.au/freeutilities/autostartlocations.php
Diamond CS - Autostart Locations
=====
Freeware HIPS with some STARTUP Guard
http://www.dcmembers.com/kubicle/watcher/misc.htm
Tiny Watcher - (see the Startup Review) 2006 - Olivier Lombart
Leans towards techie oriented.
=====
SECURITY-ANALYSIS
Hijack This - Trend Micro current version
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis
Many Forums
===
Greatis Software - Russian Federation (USA Phone # listed)
SpyHolesLists - RegRun
http://www.greatis.com/security/spyholeslist.htm
Forum
http://www.greatissoftware.com/forums/
Regrun's Startup Monitor and Startup Optimizer are part of their:
RegRun Security Suite (various editions)
http://www.greatis.com/security/detail.htm
====
SystemScan Guide
http://www.suspectfile.com/systemscan_guide.php
Silent Runners
http://www.silentrunners.org/
====
FreeFixer - Kephyr Software - Roger Karlsson
Based on Startup locations analysis and makes a log with large whitelist component.
http://www.freefixer.com/ - nice manual and blog info
Helper Forums
http://www.freefixer.com/manual.html#helperforums
Google Forum
http://groups.google.com/group/freefixer-forum/
Google is apparently the active forum, rather than SecurityWonks.
http://www.securitywonks.net/site/option,com_fireboard/Itemid,26.html
Wilders - FreeFixer
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=197385
Keep in mind that such log programs as this one or HijackThis do not look at the actual files, size, hash #s or anything, only the names, so counterfeit names are not caught. For that you need to catch them with HIPS, or perhaps when they try to install themselves with a startup manager. (Although clearly a simple cross-reference that the program is actually running and functioning sensibly can be very helpful and a prima facie case for security for that entry.) And if you are walking into an existing puter cold the situation is a bit different. In fact this caveat exists more-or-less for startup analysis in general.
WEBFORUMS
http://75.127.110.25/~merijn/forums.php
Merijn (HijackThis)
Lists 38 forums that help with HijackThis logs, which are often startup malware issues
(Note: HijackThis was sold to TrendMicro in 03/2007)
Similarly Wilders recommends "SpywareInfo, Bleeping Computer, Geeks to Go, Gladiator Security, Malware Removal, WhattheTech (formerly TomCoyote)"
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=42148
===========================================================================
Returning to general Startup Programs
FREE vs. PURCHASE
The paid niche still stands strong, imho, with the StartEd program also worthy of careful consideration, since Linkman is a good recommendation.
WinPatrol Plus (shortly WinPatrol 2009)
Chameleon Startup Manager
Startup Organizer - Metaproducts
Would be the three paid I would most recommend for comparison.
StartEd Pro is in consideration as well, based on knowing that Linkman is a very fine program. However I do not see that it gives an immediate warning about added programs.
Similarly:
The Ultimate Troubleshooter - $30
http://www.answersthatwork.com/TUT_pages/TUT_information.htm
Is involved in the task lists and related issues and have a good rep.
The PC Mag - Startup Cop Pro (SCP) has gotten a bunch of discussion too, since those who have a PC Mag magazine software subscription get it in their bundle. However it seems to have stumbled a bit.
There may be a couple of gems in the other dozen or more paid programs. Absolute Startup Manager, Arrange Startup (avoid-Avanquest related), Innovative Startup Firewall, Startup Guru, Startup Juggler, Startpro, Startup Genie and others. However few of these have been noted as feature-rich and competitive to date, a couple had nice pics and explanations. Special caution on the Google ads .. they can lead to rogueware products like Regcure. Or they may lead to a mediocre product for some $.
Also some quality software might have a startup manager in their commercial product.
eg. Regrun was mentioned above, since they also have a free startup program.
Here is one that many like.
jv16 PowerTools 2009 - Macecraft - (Finland and USA office)
http://www.macecraft.com/
======
The paid-for program should have most or all of these features.
1) Good interface - Usability - Stability
2) Alerts and rollback on Startup Changes
3) Multiple Configuration, preferably with an option to allow choosing config at startup
4) Startup Delay capabilities
5) Complete analysis of startup places, including the arcane
6) Direct interface with startup-file database
7) Developer Support (and web-forum or email forum community/support is excellent)
With ongoing enhancements.
=======================================================================
SOLID REVIEW ARTICLES (Jonathan, Gizmo, Lifehacker)
Returning to the main crew:
Oh, Jonathan looked at three ( Mike Lin's, WinPatrol and Starter from Codestuff ) at:
http://jonathanstoolbar.blogspot.com/2007/03/11-control-your-startups.html - 02/2007
#11 Control Your Startups
And Gizmo looked most at WinPatrol, Mike Lin's, Codestuff Starter, Autorun and StartupRun from Nir Sofer.
And a bunch of good comments.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-startup-manager.htm
Gizmo - Best Free Startup Manager - 7/21/2008
And Lifehacker had many good comments.
http://lifehacker.com/5087101/the-complete-guide-to-speeding-up-your-pcs-startup
The Complete Guide to Speeding Up Your PC's Startup - Gina Trapani - 11/2008
====
GENERAL STARTUP TECH
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=149804
Major Geeks - How to deal with startup processes - do not use MSconfig - 01/2008
http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com/startup_applications/howtoremove.php
How to Remove Startup Applications - By Pacman's Portal
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
Pacman's Portal Start Up Tips
http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/index.htm
Resource Management
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270035/
How to disable programs that run when you start Windows XP Home Edition or Windows Vista
http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2F2006%2Fs1702%2F13s02%2F13s02.asp
Manage Your Startup Programs - Quicken Your PC’s Pace From Start To Finish (2006)
=================================
WHY A HIGH-CLASS TOOL IS BEST
http://gladiator-antivirus.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=24610
A Collection of Autostart Locations
Tony Klein 2005-last updated 2008
Recommend this be at least skimmed. You will learn a lot about why most of the programs are insufficient as startup tools. It would be an interesting test to see how well these are covered by various HIPS and Startup programs.
Note: Tony Klein also is involved in the program and malware lists at:
http://www.systemlookup.com/lists.php
SystemLookup - Browse by List
And here is a similarly comprehensive list developed from the "Silent Runners" script labours.
Silent Runners - Launch Points
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_launchpoints.html
"Here are the registry keys, INI-file sections, files and folders that are checked by Silent Runners and the Operating Systems (O/S's) to which they apply"
http://www.systemlookup.com/lists.php?list=2
Startup List
This is related to the sysinfo.org Paul Collins (Pac-man) lists mentioned below.
And here is a discussion in 2003 about these locations involving Merijn of StartupList and with a graph that can be compared to the later Tony Klein "Collection"
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,6721512~days=9999~start=80
Startup Reprised - but not completed...
(AutoStart Explorer, AutoRuns, Autostart Viewer also in the graph.)
=======================================================================
AND STARTUP DATABASES THAT APPEAR TO BE CURRENT AND ACTIVE
http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php
"Paul Collins (aka Pacman), a British engineer, runs this site and maintains its more than 10,000 startup items."
Mentioned many places .. quote from Manage article above.
Startup Applications List - Pacman's Portal - Paul Collins (formerly hosted on now-defunct Castlecops)
Forum
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=56
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=46841 03/19/09
"Just thought I'd let you know that throughout 2009 and in the foreseeable future I'm going to be personally verifying many of the Y, U, N & ? entries in the startup list. As far as I'm aware, most of the others lists that have sprung up out there since I started aren't doing this." - Paul Collins
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/
BleepingComputer.com -> Startup Programs Database
Forum (active)
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum85.html
http://www.greatis.com/appdata/
Greatis (Regrun) - Application database
=======================================================================
Note: some additions made through 3/13/09 AM .. later will use added posts.
Shalom,
Steven
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