Autoruns vs Service+

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.

Service+ is a graphical console for administering Windows services. It can start, stop, or pause multiple services together, edit properties such as startup settings, account, dependencies, name, and path, and terminate a nonresponsive service process without rebooting. Administrators can permit authenticated users to start services while preventing users, including administrators, from stopping critical ones. Service configurations can be imported and exported as XML for duplication, backup, or mirroring across computers. The tool also manages services on remote computers and can attach a debugger to a service process in one click. It is freeware, listed at free, and the plan specifies Windows only and x86/x64 support through version 4.5.60. The listed system requirements span Windows NT 4 through Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Service+ is a native Unicode application available in English and French. The download page states that the application is provided without transmission of personal data. Active+ provides documentation, an FAQ, and a support form.