Autoruns
Autoruns is a free system utility by Microsoft Sysinternals that provides comprehensive insight into programs, services, drivers, and tasks configured to launch automatically during Windows bootup or login. It inspects far more autostart locations than the standard Windows Task Manager, making it an essential diagnostic tool.
download.sysinternals.com · Official website
- ✓ Official source (winget)
- ✓ SHA256 taken from the official repository
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- This is not a virus scan. Check on VirusTotal
- Version
- 14.3
- Release date
- June 17, 2026
- License
- Proprietary
- Installer type
- zip
How do I use this?
Type Terminal in the Start menu and open it, paste the command (Ctrl+V or right-click) and press Enter. It uses winget, Windows' own package manager, to install the program from its official source.
winget install --id Microsoft.Sysinternals.Autoruns -eSHA256 (file verification)
7b3a8eed819f732a3e4c134aecaeaebb8d643a46490ccddb82cc8a1a745c4cf7We couldn't find a macOS version of Autoruns in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
We couldn't find a Linux version of Autoruns in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
We couldn't find a Android version of Autoruns in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
Highlights
- Scans all autostart locations including Registry run keys, Scheduled Tasks, and Services
- Temporarily disables startup items without permanently deleting them
- Filters out signed Microsoft binaries to easily isolate third-party programs
- Integrates with VirusTotal to check startup executables against known threats
Who is it for?
IT professionals, security analysts, and advanced Windows users who need to diagnose startup delays, audit autorun locations, or troubleshoot malware persistence.
Good to know before installing
- Available only on the Windows operating system.
- The dense interface and technical terminology present a steep learning curve for inexperienced users.
- Accidental removal or disabling of essential system files can disrupt Windows boot processes.
How to install
Windows
- Click the official download button on this page to retrieve the Autoruns archive.
- Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a folder on your computer.
- Launch Autoruns.exe (or Autoruns64.exe on 64-bit Windows) with administrator privileges.
Alternatives
- HiBit Startup Manager
- System Informer
- AutoRunsView
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to disable entries in Autoruns?
Disabling critical Windows services or system drivers can make the system unbootable; only modify entries belonging to third-party applications you recognize.
Does Autoruns require installation?
No, Autoruns is a portable application that runs directly from its extracted executable without an installation process.
Can I revert changes made with Autoruns?
Yes, re-checking an entry's checkbox will restore it to its active autostart state.