Autoruns vs Network Activity Indicator

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.

Network Activity Indicator is a free Windows utility from IT Samples that places the classic two-monitor network icon in the system tray. It shows incoming and outgoing packet activity across every available network interface. The program is a standalone executable, so running it adds the tray icon without a separate installation workflow. Right-clicking the icon opens its settings. Version 1.9 is available as 32-bit and 64-bit ZIP packages and as self-installing executables; those downloads are dated February 28, 2026. The page lists language files and explains that a translation is installed by placing NetworkIndicator.lng beside the program. IT Samples permits qualifying home or work use without a commercial license fee, including use on specified primary-user or company computers when downloaded directly from itsamples.com. Redistribution, embedding, linking into another program, or technical support on customer computers requires a commercial license. Igor Tolmachev is identified as the developer, with support handled at [email protected].