If I am correct, this "Program" in Windows 8.1 task manager came about thru an update for HP network check from HP during the use of HP support assistant.
What is the Program program showing up in Windows 8 Task Manager Startup tab?
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Anonymous
I just purchased a new HP desktop. Windows 8 is installed. I've had it for about three weeks. I haven't installed much so far...printer drivers, Acrobat Reader, Google Chrome, VLC Media Player, Open Office, and Quicken 2012 are all I can think of.
About two weeks ago I noticed that in the Startup tab of Task Manager there is an application listed named "Program." The publisher column is blank. The Status column shows "Enabled." The Startup impact column shows "Not measured." When I right click on the listing I have the options to "Disable" and "Search online"; the "Properties" and "Open file location" options are grayed out. So, I disabled the "Program" program. Since then I've not noticed any lack of functionality, but Norton Internet Security did crash once; otherwise I seem to have a stable system and everything seems to work.
Still, I want to know what this "Program" program is. I've searched my system to the best of my ability using all utilities that came installed. I've also searched the Registry using regedit; nothing. Finally, today, I downloaded Sysinternals' (a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation) Autoruns. Nothing again.
I'd appreciate any help to track this down. What is it? And, if I don't need it how can I get rid of it? Thanks!
Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
68 answers
Sort by: Most helpful
-
Anonymous
2016-07-21T23:12:47+00:00 -
Anonymous
2016-07-07T00:49:01+00:00 It sounded to be a very intelligent reply, but:
Why in the world would a person want Program Files(x86) to be in startup? It is not an exe. or command line action, and program files x86 is a manual access folder to choose from one of a dozen or more programs in Windows. Why (in the world) would a person want it to open in start up (boot or reboot)? No insult intended, not to old to learn. LOL
-
Anonymous
2016-06-10T00:27:08+00:00 I found a Program in startup and in command line i found that i donot have that program in computer no more. How to delete that unnecessary program
-
Anonymous
2016-03-19T20:58:33+00:00 Thank you so much. It's always good to be able to get additional information to let you know whats going on. I didn't know before about activating the "command line" display. Very useful!
-
Anonymous
2016-03-12T08:19:54+00:00 For me it was Bluestacks an old Android emulator I installed and removed a while back. Apparently I'm not doing a good job tracking processes.