WhatInStartup review
A free, detailed startup manager with portable operation and extensive export options.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
WhatInStartup pros and cons
- 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.
WhatInStartup fact sheet, pricing and score →
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