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

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-05-10T02:57:58+00:00

    I had the same issue here I fix it

    the software that was left behind was RIM (Research in Motion) short for blackberry, I own a playbook and try to make it work with windows 8 and could not transfer file from the computer using the cable so i did remove and it was not a virus as per the Microsoft technical support was supposing.

    Thanks for the great help

    Have a wonderful nights everyone

    Hope this help for you all,

    it always a small glitch that make us click in our mind that there is something wrong but its not a virus sometimes which some tech thinks it is

    :P

    :)

    Normand's Advice

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-01-08T22:22:06+00:00

    Brilliant SpiritX!  Thank you!!!

    Once I enabled the show "Command line" column in the Task Manager Setup tab—something I did not know could be done—I found that "Program" is an application that does not exist on my system.  The command line points to "LAN Messenger," lmc.exe.  Now I remember...I was looking for a network messenger, back before Christmas, that I could install so that I could easily communicate with other users on my local network.  I downloaded LAN Messenger, installed it, didn't like it (it did not seem to play well with Windows 8), and uninstalled it.  Evidently that install/uninstall left artifacts in my Registry.

    I can take it from here.

    Awesome!  A most excellent answer!  Thank you  Mr. Brown!!

    Steven

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-08T20:18:37+00:00

    Hi,

    Some programs, particularly system maker's included programs, do not identify

    themselves by name in the StartUp tab.

    If you Right Click on any of the existing Column Names at the top of the columns in the

    StartUp tab there are other column display choices. Select "Command Line" and you can

    see what program is opening.

    You can use AutoRuns again and check the command line and the file name with those

    programs running in Task Manager's - StartUp tab - Command line column.

    ========================================================

    Note using Win Key + X and Win Key + W (to get to Control Panel, Run, and Settings

    as needed). Win Key + D calls the desktop and the using Win Key toggles Desktop and

    Start Screen.

    More troubleshooting :

    How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows Vista, Windows 7,

    or Windows 8/8.1

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    Other programs to help :

    Autoruns - Free - See what programs are configured to startup automatically

    when your system boots and you login. Autoruns also shows you the full list

    of Registry and file locations where applications can configure auto-start settings.

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

    Process Explorer - Free - Find out what files, registry keys and other objects

    processes have open, which DLLs they have loaded, and more. This uniquely

    powerful utility will even show you who owns each process.

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

    Hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right!

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