What is the Program program showing up in Windows 8 Task Manager Startup tab?

Anonymous
2013-01-08T19:16:06+00:00

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.

0 comments

68 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-11-25T00:28:42+00:00

    There isn't any evidence of the "Program" in those places either. Anyway, I think I have taken enough of your time and you have helped me very well. I will continue to find the solution for this mysterious bug but because it is not very important I think I could live.

    Thanks again.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-24T07:07:17+00:00

    Well it's good that you know your way inside the computer, so to speak.

    Something is keeping it alive? Sometimes folders need ownership acquired. Then there are the 'hidden' folders & files.

    Have you ever looked at: control panel>system and security>administrative tools>computer management?

    open >System Tools, open>Task Schedular, open> Task Schedular Library: You will see folders and triggers. Perhaps you will see that 'one note' info there.

    or click on 'Services and Applications' Here you will see 'starts, stops and configures Windows services.

    As well, there are many other folders which may contain the corresponding file that you're looking for.

    With a little time & patience, you will find said file and, in any event, have a more intimate view inside your computer, which is never a bad thing; a learning experience.

    Hope this helps...  

    Regards,

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-11-23T23:55:09+00:00

    jajaja this "Program" is very hard to kill...

    I exported then deleted the entry, restarted and what a surprise, the "Program" is still in the star-up list and now is enable. Then I went to the registry and the entry is there again, like if it had been created again.

    In fact, this "Program" doesn't have any impact in the performance but I would like to delete it anyway because it refers to a file that doesn't exist. This should be some kind of bug or something.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-11-23T11:57:56+00:00

    Yes, more than likely, that's it. You can export it and then delete it and check. If you use one note then leave it. There is a way to change it to a manual trigger rather than auto-start up. In any event, you know where it is and what it's doing.

    F.Y.I.: I have a bunch of auto-starts, some are listed in run but many are not. The ones I don't use I just disable. It doesn't hurt anything and when I click on that program then it starts, which is manual.

    Very Good!

    Saludos,

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-11-23T11:38:27+00:00

    Hi again!

    I have checked that path and there is no entry for OneNote or whatever.

    However in the path below that I found this:

    Maybe that could be what we are looking for?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments