Autoruns vs FurMark

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.

FurMark is a free Windows application for GPU stress testing and graphics benchmarking. It applies a sustained 3D workload to examine thermals, cooling headroom, power limits, and overclock stability. OpenGL and Vulkan rendering paths are available where supported. Benchmark choices include 1080p, 1440p, and 4K presets, along with timed passes. Artifact-oriented checks help identify visual problems such as sparkling or corrupted textures, which may point to heat, memory strain, or unstable tuning. For sensor context, FurMark recommends pairing runs with vendor tools or overlays, including GPU-Z and HWiNFO. Downloads come as an installer or a portable edition that runs from a folder or USB stick without installation. It is aimed at overclockers, PC gamers and builders, reviewers, benchmarkers, and support technicians. The FAQ points to a forum for troubleshooting. Tests should be supervised, temperatures watched, and unsafe runs stopped. The listed plan costs nothing for personal testing on Windows 10/11.