WhatInStartup
WhatInStartup: A free, detailed startup manager with portable operation and extensive export options. Ranked #5 of 30 in Startup Manager Software by our editors (8.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for portable startup auditing and export.
At a glance
- Editor score8.6 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forPortable startup auditing and export
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Founded2001
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Detailed metadata includes command line, version, company, and location.
- Permanently disables startup items that reappear.
- Exports startup lists to text, CSV, HTML, XML, and other formats.
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only utility with dated stated support through Windows 8.
- Focused on startup management rather than broader system administration.
- Advanced controls may be more than casual users need.
Our verdict on WhatInStartup
WhatInStartup is a free Windows utility from NirSoft for inspecting and managing programs that load automatically at startup. It suits users who need more than a simple enabled-or-disabled list, including startup auditing, troubleshooting, documentation, or portable administration. The utility displays each startup application's startup type, command line, product, version, company, and registry or file-system location. It runs as a standalone executable without installation and offers 32-bit and 64-bit builds, making it practical for use from a removable location or on systems where installing software is undesirable.
Its strongest area is inspection and control depth. Users can enable, disable, delete, edit, and add startup items, while permanent disabling addresses items that reappear. WhatInStartup can also load startup entries from an external Windows installation, extending its usefulness beyond the currently running system. Command-line operation supports scripted or repeatable workflows, and exports are available in text, CSV, HTML, XML, and other formats. That combination makes it a good fit for keeping an auditable record of startup configuration or sharing a structured inventory.
The main trade-off is scope and platform coverage. WhatInStartup is narrowly focused on Windows startup programs, so it is better suited to targeted startup inspection than to broader system management. The product page states support from Windows 2000 through Windows 8, which gives the published compatibility range a dated emphasis. Users who need a portable, detailed startup auditor with strong export and external-installation features should consider it; those seeking a wider system-optimization suite or a utility centered on newer Windows versions should look elsewhere.
Your product? Our editors can test WhatInStartup in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
WhatInStartup pricing
All 1 WhatInStartup plans and prices →
WhatInStartup fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Startup delay | Not verified |
| Service control | Not verified |
| Startup inspection | Yes |
| Windows support | Other |
| Portable edition | Yes |
| Startup item limit | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Support | |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | nirsoft.net |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to WhatInStartup
- AutorunsA free, detailed Windows tool for auditing and controlling startup activity.9.4
- Autorun OrganizerA broad, free Windows utility for controlling startup entries, delays, services, and scheduled tasks.9.2
- HiBit Startup ManagerA free Windows utility combining startup control, monitoring, delays, and system management.9.0
See all WhatInStartup alternatives →
WhatInStartup vs the competition
- WhatInStartup vs Autoruns
- WhatInStartup vs Autorun Organizer
- WhatInStartup vs HiBit Startup Manager
- WhatInStartup vs BootRacer
- WhatInStartup vs Quick Startup
- WhatInStartup vs AutoRun Manager
Compare WhatInStartup with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
WhatInStartup is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used WhatInStartup? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used WhatInStartup for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
WhatInStartup is listed in our Startup Manager Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/whatinstartup/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/whatinstartup.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update