Autoruns vs Raider

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.

Raider, listed as File Shredder on its GNOME app page, is a free Linux app for making recovery of deleted sensitive files more difficult. It is designed to permanently remove files from a computer and supports folder shredding with custom shredding standards. It does not offer free-space shredding or scheduled shredding. The app cautions that modern SSD technology prevents shredding from being perfect, although it can raise the difficulty of data recovery. The GNOME app page directs users to install the latest version from Flathub, which lists aarch64 and x86_64 architectures. Version 3.1.0 is the listed latest release, dated May 18, 2025. Its changes include a GNOME 48 update, a modernized circular progress indicator, fixes for small memory leaks, and DBus launch support. Alan Beveridge is named as maintainer, with San Diego, California listed as the maintainer location. App-specific content is licensed GPL-3.0-or-later. The page links to GitHub for reporting issues, feedback, and translation contributions.