Windows 10: Unknown Programs in Windows Setting but not in Task Manager

Hello,

A few days ago, I discovered a line in the Windows Settings->Startup Apps page for a program that doesn't seem to show up anywhere else, like in Task Manager or Autoruns. The item disappears from the screen with each refresh and usually reappears an hour or two later. It's identified by a string of 1 to 3 unicode characters that change with each reappearance. Here's an image of the first time I saw it:



Following that, I have seen the same program reappear twice with distinct identifiers. I believe it is the same program because the first time it showed up, it was set to open on startup. I turned it off and in all the subsequent appearances, it has stayed off.


I've run Malwarebytes and RogueKiller anti-malware programs, but after deleting the few items that were flagged, the mystery program showed up again.


Has anyone else encountered something like this before?


Thank you!

:)

 

Unknown program in Task Manager-Startup Programs


I am using Windows 10 Home up-to-date. Just found this entry (Program) in my Task Manager-Startup Programs. It has no identification except 'Program' . On right click it doesn't show any properties or location just the enable or disable button. I have disabled it but am just curious as to what I can do to remove this program. Thanks for any info I can get on this.

 

Program on Task Manager Startup tab

Hey Guys,
This is my first post here as I just joined, but the timing was good as I had this same unknown "program" show up in Task Manager yesterday and didn't know what to make of it. Then I came across your thread here and decided to try Topgundcp's suggestion of adding the 'command line' to the category headings and it worked (tipping the hat to Topgundcp)! The unknown program apparently belongs to Send Anywhere, which would make sense as I believe it had recently been tagged as a pup and quarantined on my system... Thanks for the help....

 

Task manager instantly closes after opend

Hello,

As an initial troubleshooting step, it would be best to scan for any unknown software that may affect other programs on your computer like your Task Manager.

Can you let us know if you are using Windows Defender as your anti virus program? If so, we suggest that you scan you computer right away.

Let us know how it goes.