ASTRA32 vs Autoruns

ASTRA32 provides system configuration information and computer diagnostics for Windows PCs. It identifies hardware including processors, motherboards, BIOS, chipsets, memory, storage, graphics, audio, network, USB, SCSI, and other devices. Its Drivers Troubleshooter lists physical devices with missing or improperly installed drivers. For storage, it reads hard-drive S.M.A.R.T. information, including from drives attached through external UDMA, SATA, or RAID controllers, and calculates remaining SSD life. It can also report on Windows, installed programs, and hotfixes. Reports can be saved as TXT, INI, HTML, XML, or CSV. Batch mode supports report profiles and macros, and a standalone version can run without installation. ASTRA32 reports can be imported into Hardware Inspector inventory management software. The maker identifies PC repair technicians and system administrators as potential users. The program is free for non-commercial purposes. The listed Windows range runs from Windows 95/98/ME through Windows 11 x64, and a DOS version is also available.

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.