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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!
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.
Hi ......I saw the "Program" To!
I wonder if this......"program" is residual empty container that once contained The Microsoft Word Program, but after the 90 day free trial; The Microsoft Word Program self deletes,,,,,,now you have it's empty shell taking up a little space on your computer, ,When updates occur, this "Program" may be asking you , " Will you trial the 365 new word 90 day program." What do you think? Goldieloxx
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
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
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.
That was just one variable, which made up part of the Path to the actual EXE file in the Command line. So it was pointing to the wrong folder as a result.
