Orphaned items listed in startup programs
Is it OK to delete these entries?
Hello Ian,
Thank you for posting your question on our forum.
It’s usually safe to delete orphaned startup entries, as they no longer serve any purpose once the associated program has been removed.
Follow these steps:
- Make sure the entry really points to a non-existent file.
- If you’re unsure what the program name is, search for the entry name or path online to confirm it’s not something system-critical.
- Avoid deleting system startup entries (for example, Windows Defender or hardware drivers), even if they look odd.
- Only remove entries tied to uninstalled apps.
Ways to remove orphaned startup entries:
- Task Manager → Startup tab: Right-click the orphaned item and choose “Disable.”
- Autoruns (Sysinternals): Uncheck to disable, or right-click and choose “Delete” to remove permanently. Autoruns will show “File not found” for orphans.
- Registry (for advanced users):
Check these locations:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Always create a system restore point before making any registry changes.
If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us!
