The Good
* Easy to use.
* Monitors start up programs, current running processes, and services.
* Monitors startup folder and registry and notifies user when a new program has been added to autorun on Windows boot.
* Allows user to delete, block, or perma-block ('auto block") any program that autoruns on Windows boot.
* Allows user to manually run any startup program on demand.
* Allows user to manually kill or "ban" any processes so they are automatically killed/closed whenever Startup Defender detects them.
* Allows user to start, stop, pause, or resume services.
* Displays basic information on a startup/autorun program.
* Nifty "Google it" button to Google any program/process.

The Bad
* "Explore Program Location" for startup programs just opens up my desktop instead of the program folder.
* No feature to delay autorun programs.
* Can't "auto block" start up programs after the initial detection and prompt.
* Not particularly clear what the "PC startup optimizer" feature is or what it is supposed to do.
* Uses Google.com.au instead of Google.com or region-relative Google >.>'.

Free Alternatives
AnVir Task Manager
WinPatrol

For final verdict, recommendations, and full review please click here.

Ashraf  –  16 years ago  –  ¿Te ha parecido útil este comentario? si | no (+128)

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As I've stated on previous giveaways of this, I won't be testing it due to problems with other Zards offerings adding unwanted entries to the registry. That doesn't necessarily mean that Startup Defender does, but I'm not going to risk it.

Between my security software, AnVir (Security Suite), and Autoruns, I'm well covered. I used WinPatrol years ago, and I tried the free version when Bits du Jour was offering a discount on the Pro version, but it seemed like a toy compared to AnVir. Also, I had problems with false alerts from WinPatrol, possibly from it seeing things for the first time. One nice feature of WinPatrol is that it will monitor file type associations, which the others don't.

Various startup managers:

MSconfig - Few locations checked, but does have some debugging features which aren't in the other tools.

Windows Defender - Standard on Vista, few locations checked, shows code signatures.

AnVir - Few locations checked for startup, but has lots of nice features. The most features are in the higher-end versions, which unfortunately have become quite expensive since few people are willing to pay for task managers. Version comparison. Top versions have many features, such as startup monitoring, auto-remove, auto-terminate, can start as service, to tray, or to floating icon, delayed startup, auto-set priority, generate startup items report, search online, check files for malware online, jump to in RegEdit, shows code signatures, and many other features.

WinPatrol - Few locations checked, but does have startup monitoring, delayed startup, auto-remove, file extension monitoring. Version comparison. Also, I don't remember whether WinPatrol defaults to allowing or blocking new items when you can't answer the prompt due to a reboot, which may be a problem during software installations, crashes, etc. (AnVir defaults to allow.)

Microsoft Sysinternals Autoruns - By far the most comprehensive listing of startup items, can save configuration for (unfortunately) limited comparison, search online, show configuration for other users, jump to (depends upon type, generally opens RegEdit), verify code signatures, etc.

What's Running - long out of development

Headlight Software Desktop Armor - long out of development

Acelogix Software StartUp Guard - long out of development

Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel, StartupMonitor - long out of development

Fubar  –  16 years ago  –  ¿Te ha parecido útil este comentario? si | no (+73)

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There are more Freeware Tool to do this, not a good giveaway...

Alternative:

Acelogix Startup Guard www.acelogix.com

Startup monitor www.mlin.net

Ishaan  –  16 years ago  –  ¿Te ha parecido útil este comentario? si | no (+59)

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IK haven't tried this program, but there is a free one that I have used for many years and it has never failed me. I am speaking of Mike Lin's Startup Monitor. His Startup Control Panel is also a gem.

Stephen Cohen  –  16 years ago  –  ¿Te ha parecido útil este comentario? si | no (+40)

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I would use Spybot S&D, which also has a TeaTimer part, to prevent programs writing into startup - free and prevents your system from spyware too.

Szasza  –  16 years ago  –  ¿Te ha parecido útil este comentario? si | no (+23)

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