OT: Windows Optimization?

[Arkcon]

AgentZero said:
I've gone into MSConfig, gone to the startup tab and disabled everything I know I don't need, but there's still an awful lot of stuff that I don't know what it is, so I'm reluctant to remove it. Does anyone know if Windows puts vital programs/drivers into that Startup section?

Oh. I can answer this bit at least. You can try the websites {here} and {over here}. They decode for you the cryptic names of several things the Windows may try to load. They identify them as crucial, or known spyware. If a file is not on these lists, I'd search Google or ask about the filename specifically -- that's how the world finds out about new viruses.

This forum became world famous a while back as we were musing about a file called {siae3123.exe}. No one knew what it was back then, but its now known to be a trojan dropper.