Common TSRs and
programs listed in Task Manager


TSR - Terminate and Stay Resident program, are programs or drivers that loads themselves into memory, and relinquishes control of the computer to other programs, waiting to be activated.
  1. If you want to view some of your TSRs you can do so by pressing CTRL-ATL-DEL (all together) one time. This will give you the Close Program aka. Task Manager window listing currently running programs.
  2. In order for Windows to run properly you must have Explorer and Systray in this list. All others are optional.
  3. If you know the program that installed a TSR, and it is a program that you do not want or need, just go to "Add & Remove Programs" in your control panel, and remove the program.
  4. TSRs are normally activated in the autoexec.bat, config.sys files or loaded in the StartUp folder under "Start | Programs | StartUp", or in the Registry Keys"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" - "RunOnce" - "RunServices" (note: programs in "RunServices" are system Services and will not be listed in the Close Program/Task Manager list) and also "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" - "RunOnce".
  5. TSRs are a common source of memory and communications conflicts on PCs.

Some Common TSRs

  • ATIKEY32 - ATI Keyboard Resource
  • ATICWD32 - Keyboard Enhancement program
  • ATISCHED - Scheduler program for ATI video card systems
  • ATITASK - Task tray program used for launching display options and programs on systems with an
    ATI video card
  • AST2TRAY - Taskbar tray applet for Voyetra's Audiostation 2
  • AVCONSOL - McAfee virus scan component
  • BACKWEB AGENT - The BackWeb agent is the engine that controls the news and information. This program collects info and reports it back on your browsing. I suggest you go to add & remove programs and remove "BackWeb Agent". This program is common and can slow down your browsing on the Internet.
  • UPDATES - For your subscribed channels (Active Desktop)
  • CCENTRAL - COMM Central - Phone answering software
  • CPQDMN - Part of Compaq Phone Center
  • CPQ SHELL - Compaq Shell which is part of Compaq's Homebase
  • CSUSEM32 - Quarterdeck Clean Sweep
  • CWB3DSND - 3D Audio Control for a Crystal Semiconductor sound card
  • DIRECTCD - Direct CD Backup program.
  • DISCRIMINATOR - IBM MWAVE Modem Utility
  • DMHKEY - System tray icon to control video card settings.
  • DRWATSON - Error Snapshot/debug utility, in WIN3.1, WIN98
  • EM_EXEC - Logitech Mouse
  • FA_GD32 - First Aid Windows Guardian
  • FAWGRD32 - (CLOSES FA_GD32)
  • FAPIEXE - Part of Compaq Phone Center
  • FAXWORKS - Fax Works Fax Program
  • FINDFAST - MS Office Word Search Utility
  • FOCUS3 - Synaptic Touch Pad
  • FMEDIA - Works with Sound/Modem cards - Disables FaxWorks
  • FMLITES - Modem status display panel
  • GATEWAY ISP WIZARD - Installer program for Gateway internet service, that comes preinstalled on Gateway computers.
  • GUARD DOG - Monitors you web browser (i.e. invalid security certificates, cookies, etc)
  • GWREMIND - Microsoft Greeting Cards, reminder to register
  • GWHOTKEY - Gateway enhanced keyboard
  • HAWKEYE - Monitor enhancement software that comes with S3 chip video cards
  • HGCCT195 - shows up after install of Matrox Quick desk and video card drivers
  • HOMEBASE - Compaq custom screen
  • HOT SYNC - USR Palm Pilot Synchronization software
  • HPSJBMJR - Button Manager utility for HP scanner
  • IBMAVTIM - IBM Anti Virus timed scan module
  • IDLE WILD - Combo screen saver/card game pack
  • IOWATCH - Iomega Disk Insert Check
  • IMGICON - Iomega utility that displays the ZIP drive icon in Windows Explorer
  • INTEL CONNECT - Intel's telephone answering software
  • LAVTLM95 - IAVTIM95 is the timed scan module in IBM Anti Virus 3.x (same as IBMAVTIM, only for the newer [last] version of IBMAV)
  • LOADWC - Loadwc.exe, aka Load Web Check, is responsible for customizing some of the settings in Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Loadwc.exe is responsible for updating subscriptions. Loadwc.exe also propagates settings for user profiles. After restarting your computer during Internet Explorer Active Setup, Loadwc.exe copies Internet Explorer settings that need to be updated for each user profile.
  • LTSSTART - Lotus Suite Start
  • LXDBOXCP - Lexmark printer software driver
  • MAPISP32 - Part of Compaq Phone Center
  • MDSERVER - Part of Compaq Phone Center
  • MGACTRL - Task tray program and control program for Matrox Millennium video cards
  • MGAQDESK - Task tray program and control program for Matrox Millennium video cards
  • MONITOR - PC-Cillin smart monitor
  • MSNQUICKVIEW - Microsoft network toolbar
  • MSGLOOP - WaveStream component which is provided in the Crystal Audio Sound Card software to hook up with the Brooktree WaveStream CD
  • MSGSRV - Windows 95/98 Message Server-Communicates Windows messages to applications such as shut down
  • MWMODEM - IBM MWAVE Modem Software
  • MWMSW95 - IBM MWAVE Modem Software
  • MVSLOADR - IBM Custom Desktop (Moon Valley Software)
  • NAVPW32 - NORTON ANTI-VIRUS
  • NSCHED32 - NORTON SCHEDULER?
  • NVRAM - US Robotics WINMODEM Software
  • OSA - Microsoft Office
  • OSD - Optical Scanner Program.
  • OCRAWR32 - OCRA ware OCR
  • PIDUNHK - Prodigy Internet
  • PNPCHK - Plug and play Check
  • POINT - Microsoft Mouse Attributes (16)
  • POINT32 - Microsoft Mouse Attributes (32)
  • PTSNOOP - PCTEL driver loader for programs that request a COM Port
  • REMIND - IBM reminder to register
  • REMIND32 - Lotus reminder to register
  • RCENTRAL - Ring Central IBM/COMPAQ Voicemail
  • RNAAPP - Dial Up Networking
  • ROBOT - Scripting part of the IBM Aptiva Reminder to Register app
  • RTFIX32 - First Aid's BackTrack
  • RXCTCH32 - McAfee PC Medic 97
  • RXMENU - McAfee PC Medic 97
  • SAGE - System Agent from Microsoft Plus!
  • SMARTCTR - Lotus Smartcenter
  • SNIFFER - Related to Guard Dog
  • STARTER - Used by Creative Labs 128 PCI card.
  • STARTTIM - IBM Anti Virus
  • SUITEST - Lotus Smart Suite
  • SYNCROCONNECT - Phone Answering Software
  • SYDOC32 - Norton System Doctor
  • TALK MAIN - unknown
  • TAPILDR - Pharmaceutical program..."ANYWHERE WAITING"
  • TPEXE - Gateway software for the touch pad.
  • TRYICN95 - IBM Anti Virus 3.x taskbar tray applet
  • VCDWATCH - Parson Technologies Virucide
  • VOICECENTER - IBM Voice Center
  • VSHWIN32 - McAfee Virus Shield
  • VTRAY - VIRTUAL TRAY
  • VSSTAT - McAfee Component
  • VSCHED - McAfee Scheduler
  • WATCHDOG - Monitors dial up connections
  • WEBSCAN - McAfee Web Scan
  • WEBSCANX - McAfee Web Scan Internet Filter.
  • WMEXE - US Robotics WINMODEM driver loader for programs that request a Com Port
  • WMNVRAM - 32bit software driver for USR Winmodem
  • WINGUARD - Dr. Solomon's WinGuard
  • ZM32 - Mijenix Zip Magic


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