Simply launch Autoruns and it will show you which applications are configured to run automatically and provide a complete list of registry partitions and file system directories that can be used to set up automatic startup. If you have any questions or problems, please visit the Sysinternals Autoruns forum. The Brand article in the November 2004 issue of Windows IT Pro Magazine describes additional methods of working with Autoruns. You'll probably be surprised how many executable files run automatically! Autoruns runs on all versions of Windows, including Windows XP 64-bit Edition (for 圆4) and Windows Server 2003 64-bit Edition (for 圆4). The output data of this tool can be obtained in CSV format. The download archive also includes a command line program, Autorunsc.

You can also view the objects that you have configured to automatically run for other accounts in the system. The Autoruns feature in Hide Signed Microsoft Entries lets you focus on automatically running third-party items if they have been added to your system.

Autoruns has a wider range of features than the MSConfig utility, which is included with Windows Me and XP. Autoruns can also be configured to display other locations, such as shell extensions, toolbars, browser support objects, Winlogon notifications, automated services, and many more.

Such programs can be located in the autoload folder or be registered in the registry sections of Run, RunOnce and others. This tool, which checks more autorun locations than any other autorun monitor, shows which programs are configured to run during the boot or logon process, and these programs are displayed in the order in which Windows handles them.