Autorun Organizer vs Autoruns

Autorun Organizer is a free Windows utility for managing programs that launch when Windows starts. It can enable or disable startup entries, remove them, or suspend launches, and it can process autorun records in batches. Its overview rates startup programs based on how often entries are disabled or deleted and displays a diagram of Windows boot time. The utility checks startup programs through VirusTotal, described on its product page as covering more than 60 antivirus programs. It can notify users about new auto-start entries, search quickly, detect erroneous records, and update itself. Listed requirements are Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7 in 32-bit or 64-bit, at least 256 MB RAM, 50 MB of disk space, and administrator rights. If the installer’s data-transfer option is enabled, the program sends application and startup-entry details to its server for frequency information and VirusTotal analysis. The license permits free distribution if the distribution package is not modified.

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.