[Windows Fix] How to Remove Unknown “Program” or Invalid Characters Entry from Startup Apps List

In previous tutorial, we told you how to add or remove entries from startup programs list in Windows operating system. All startup programs entries are stored in Windows Registry and we can modify Registry to add/remove entries from Windows startup programs list.

[Windows Tip] How to Add or Remove Entries from Startup Programs List

In this tutorial, we’ll address an issue which is related to the startup programs list. Sometimes you may have noticed an unknown “Program” entry in startup programs list. This “Program” entry shows a blank document icon and provides no information.

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Following screenshot shows the unknown and weird “Program” entry in startup apps and programs list:

Unknown_Program_Entry_System_Startup_Task_Manager_Windows.png

Similarly, you might have noticed some other entries in startup programs list which contain invalid and unknown characters in their names like rectangles and weird symbols, etc.

The “Program” entry is shown in startup programs list when a 3rd party software program was uninstalled but the uninstaller didn’t delete its entry from startup programs list and Windows Registry still contains its String value. When Windows doesn’t find the executable file (EXE), it starts showing its entry with the name “Program” in startup programs list. The other entries containing invalid characters and symbols are added by malware.

If you want to get rid of the “Program” entry or invalid characters entry from startup programs list, you’ll just need to remove its entry from Windows Registry.

Following steps will help you in removing these unwanted and unnecessary entries from Windows startup programs list:

1. Press “WIN+R” key combination to launch RUN dialog box then type regedit and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

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2. Now go to following keys one by one:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

3. When you go to the above mentioned keys one by one, check the String values present in the right-side pane. These string values contain the entries of startup programs. These strings contain the full path of startup programs executable files (EXE).

If you find a String value containing path of an EXE file of a software which you have uninstalled from your computer, delete the String value. It’ll immediately remove the “Program” entry from startup programs list.

Remove_Unknown_Extra_Corrupted_Program_Entry_Run_Registry_Editor.png

PS: Above screenshot shows that we uninstalled Desktop Lighter software from the system but its startup entry was still present in Windows Registry. We deleted the String value from Registry and it removed the unknown “Program” entry from startup programs list.

If you find a String value containing invalid and unknown characters and symbols in name, delete the String and it should remove the unknown entries from startup programs list.

That’s it. Once you delete unwanted and unknown entries from above mentioned Registry keys, the startup programs list will no longer show any weird entries.

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

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