wmic startup list full

wmic startup list full

Command: wmic startup list full

Category: Applications

Type: CMD

Purpose

Displays a comprehensive list of all applications that start automatically when Windows boots. This tool shows detailed information about each startup item, including the command used to launch it, its location on disk, and which user account it runs under.

Quick Summary

Use this command to identify programs that are slowing down your boot time or to audit what's running at startup. It's particularly useful for troubleshooting performance issues or identifying unwanted software that launches automatically.

How to Use

1. Open Command Prompt (no admin rights required for viewing).
2. Type wmic startup list full and press Enter.
3. Review the detailed output showing all startup items.

Tips and Best Practices

• The output can be lengthy. Consider redirecting to a file: wmic startup list full > startup.txt
• Look for unfamiliar entries that might indicate unwanted software.
• Compare the "User" field to identify which account's startup items you're viewing.
• Use this before disabling startup items through Task Manager to understand what you're changing.

Common Use Cases

• Performance troubleshooting: Identify programs causing slow boot times.
• Security audits: Find suspicious or unwanted programs launching at startup.
• System cleanup: Determine which startup items are no longer needed.
• Documentation: Create a record of startup configuration for system administration.

Prerequisites

• Windows Command Prompt or PowerShell
• No administrator rights required for viewing (some operations may require elevated privileges)

Related Tools

• taskmgr.exe - Visual interface for managing startup programs
• taskschd.msc - For viewing and managing scheduled tasks
• msconfig.exe - Alternative tool for managing startup configuration