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Does your PC take forever to start, with programs popping up that you never asked for? This autoruns download for pc guide shows you how to get the free Microsoft Sysinternals tool on Windows, how to set it up on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and how to switch off the startup items that slow you down. It shows everything that runs at login, and it costs nothing to use.
What Is Autoruns?
Autoruns is a free startup manager from Microsoft Sysinternals, also created by Mark Russinovich. It lists every program, service, driver, scheduled task, and browser add-on that Windows runs automatically, in one window with tabs for each category. Most startup tools show only a few entries, but Autoruns shows the full picture, including hidden items that other tools miss.
The program is popular because it lets you disable an item with one click, without deleting it, so you can turn it back on if something breaks. It also checks entries against VirusTotal, highlights items with no publisher, and lets you jump straight to the registry key or file behind each entry. It needs no installation, since it runs as a single portable file, and it is the standard tool for cleaning up a slow startup or hunting a stubborn piece of malware that returns after every reboot.
Key Features
- Complete startup list: logon programs, services, drivers, tasks, and Explorer add-ons in one place.
- One-click disable: untick an item to stop it, without deleting it, so you can undo the change.
- VirusTotal check: send entry hashes to VirusTotal and see the verdict beside each item.
- Hide Microsoft entries: filter out Windows items, so only third-party entries remain visible.
- Jump to source: open the registry key or file location behind any entry in one click.
- Compare snapshots: save a list and compare it later, to spot what changed on your PC.
- Portable and free: a single file from Microsoft, with no installer and no payment.
System Requirements
- Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
- Processor: any CPU that runs Windows 10 or 11
- RAM: 2 GB or more
- Graphics: any standard Windows graphics setup
- Storage: 5 MB free for the program files
- Internet: only needed to fetch the tool and for VirusTotal checks
Autoruns Download for PC: Official Method
Always get the program from the official source so you receive the genuine, untouched software. Follow these steps:
- Open your browser and go to the Download Autoruns from the official website.
- On the official Microsoft Sysinternals page, find the Autoruns download link.
- Download the ZIP file for Autoruns from the official page.
- Save the ZIP file to your Downloads folder and wait for it to finish.
Avoid third-party download sites that bundle extra software. The official website above is the only source you need.
The whole autoruns download for pc process usually takes only a few minutes on a normal broadband connection. Once the file is saved on your computer, you can install it whenever you are ready.
Autoruns Download for PC: Step-by-Step Installation
- Open your Downloads folder and find the Autoruns ZIP file.
- Right-click the ZIP file and choose Extract All to unpack it.
- Pick a folder for the files, such as a new folder on your Desktop.
- Open the extracted folder and find Autoruns64.exe for 64-bit Windows.
- Double-click Autoruns64.exe to run the program, with no installer needed.
- If Windows shows a security prompt, click Run to allow it to start.
- Accept the licence agreement on the first run, then wait while it scans your startup entries.
- Right-click the program and pin it to the taskbar, so it is always one click away.
How to Disable a Slow Startup Item in Autoruns
Open Autoruns and wait for the scan to finish, then click the Logon tab to see the programs that start with Windows. Find the item you want to stop, and untick the checkbox beside it. The change takes effect at your next login, and you can tick the box again any time to bring the program back. If you have just completed the autoruns download for pc and installation above, you are ready to begin.
- Open Autoruns from the folder where you extracted it.
- Wait for the scan to finish, then click the Logon tab.
- Find the program you want to stop starting with Windows.
- Untick the checkbox beside that entry to disable it.
- Restart your PC to confirm the program no longer starts up.
Is Autoruns Free? The Price Explained
Yes. Autoruns is completely free, made by Microsoft as part of the Sysinternals suite. There is no paid edition, no subscription, and no trial period. Microsoft offers it as a free utility for IT professionals and home users alike, and the official page is the only source you need. It stays free forever, with updates published on the same Sysinternals page. There is no trial clock on this autoruns download for pc, and no feature that stops working after a month.
Autoruns Download for PC: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Autoruns safe to install?
Yes, when you download it from the official Microsoft Sysinternals page. It is a Microsoft tool, and the official ZIP contains no bundled software.
Does Autoruns work on Windows 11?
Yes. It runs on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, in 64-bit editions.
Can I undo a change in Autoruns?
Yes. Unticking only disables an entry, so ticking the box again restores it at the next login.
Do I need to install Autoruns?
No. It is portable, so you extract the ZIP and run Autoruns64.exe directly, with no setup wizard.
Should I disable Microsoft entries?
No. Use Options, then Hide Microsoft Entries, so you only see third-party items and avoid breaking Windows features.
Conclusion
Autoruns shows you everything that starts with Windows, and lets you switch off the slow, unwanted items with a single click. It is free, portable, and made by Microsoft, which makes it the safest way to speed up a slow startup. Get it only from the official Sysinternals page linked in this guide, follow the steps above, and your first startup clean-up will be done today. It takes only a few minutes from setup to a faster boot. For a safe autoruns download for pc, stick to the official link in this guide and ignore mirror sites that bundle extras.
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