Autoruns vs Fastfetch

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.

Fastfetch is a free, open-source command-line tool that displays operating system, hardware, and software details in a terminal alongside customizable logos. Its more than 75 modules cover information such as CPU, GPU, memory, disks, battery, TPM, audio, and Wi-Fi. It can display ASCII logos or render images through Kitty, Sixel, iTerm2, or Chafa protocols. Configuration uses JSONC, with an official schema for editor autocomplete and validation. The maker lists native support for Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, and Android through Termux, and installation options including winget, Scoop, Homebrew, MacPorts, APT, Pacman, DNF, FreeBSD pkg, and Termux. Fastfetch can be integrated with Bash, Zsh, Fish, PowerShell, and Nushell startup setups and is compatible with Starship and Oh My Posh. Sample configurations can query music services for media information. The maker highlights terminal startup greetings, hardware auditing and diagnostics, and desktop screenshot showcases. It warns that unconditional output from a shell startup file can disrupt SCP, SFTP, and other non-interactive shell operations.