Autoruns vs O&O SafeErase

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.

O&O SafeErase is paid Windows software for securely removing data. It can delete individual files and folders, wipe drives, and clear unused drive space. Certified overwrite methods are listed for the erasure process, and scheduled shredding supports recurring deletion tasks. The supported systems are Windows 10 and Windows 11. O&O SafeErase for 1 PC costs $29.95 USD once as a perpetual license. O&O SafeErase for 5 PCs costs $49.90 USD once, also as a perpetual license. There is no free plan, although a 30-day trial is listed. The product therefore covers both targeted file deletion and broader drive-cleaning work, with scheduling for repeated operations. O&O was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Buyers should match the selected license to the number of PCs and the Windows version in use.