AppControl vs Autoruns

AppControl is a free historical Task Manager for Windows that records system activity and application behavior over time. It keeps approximately 72 hours of second-by-second history covering CPU, GPU, memory, disk, temperature, and app events. Executables are described in plain language with publisher, signature, and elevated-privilege information. Alerts can flag webcam, microphone, or location access, along with new or unsigned apps and silent updates. Users can disable an app, block a publisher, and create rules to stop software from returning. History is stored locally. An optional MCP server connects compatible AI clients after you enable it and approve data access; its nine tools are read-only and cannot change rules or configuration. A command-line tool shows live resource use and process events. AppControl supports modern Windows 10 and Windows 11, requires administrator privileges to install, and is not an antivirus replacement.

Autoruns shows programs and drivers configured to run during Windows boot, login, or when certain built-in Windows applications start. It reports startup items from locations such as the Startup folder, Registry keys, Explorer extensions, services, scheduled tasks, and Winlogon entries. Users can hide signed Microsoft entries to focus on third-party items, inspect startup images configured for other accounts, and disable an entry or delete its configuration. Scan options include signature verification and VirusTotal hash checks; submitting files not previously scanned requires the upload option, and VirusTotal features require accepting its terms. The download includes Autorunsc, a command-line version that can output CSV or tab-delimited data, verify signatures, and scan an offline Windows system. The Autoruns and Autorunsc download is listed as 3 MB, and Microsoft offers a Sysinternals Live option. Autoruns costs nothing, with no limit on installation or use on devices owned or supported by the user, but no redistribution license. Microsoft says Sysinternals tools are provided as is without official support and points users to a community forum.