Autoruns vs ZStartup

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.

ZStartup is a free Windows utility for inspecting and managing programs configured to launch when Windows starts. It displays HKCU and HKLM Run and RunOnce registry keys and detects shortcuts in user and system startup folders. Search and filters narrow entries by source, scope, and enabled, disabled, or broken status. Users can add startup programs and delete entries with a 5.5-second undo window shown by a toast notification. The app detects its elevation level and can restart with administrator privileges; elevated access unlocks system-level entries and HKLM keys. The maker says its installers are self-contained and require no.NET, WebView2 installation, or runtime. ZStartup is described as having no telemetry. Built with Tauri and Rust and a React interface, the open source project uses the MIT License and offers MSI and NSIS Windows installers. The listed release supports Windows 10 and 11 on x64. The Free plan costs nothing. The maker’s page links to the project’s GitHub repository.