Side by side
Autoruns vs bug.n
Both stand on window management software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Windows
Choose Autoruns if you need a free Windows tool to inspect startup items across many system locations and manage their configurations. Its Autorunsc companion adds command-line output and offline scanning. Look elsewhere if you need a non-Windows platform or official Microsoft support.
Visit Autoruns Free plan Windows
bug.n offers configurable window layouts and views at no cost, with support for multiple monitors. Its discontinued maintenance and the documented slowdown issue are important considerations.
Visit bug.nThe facts
| Autoruns | bug.n | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Windows | Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | learn.microsoft.com | github.com |
| On window management software | #9 of 65 | #13 of 65 |
Autoruns: what it does well
- Reports startup entries across folders, Registry keys, services, tasks, and more.
- Can hide signed Microsoft entries to focus on third-party items.
- Supports disabling or deleting startup configuration entries.
- Autorunsc can export CSV or tab-delimited data and scan offline systems.
- Free to use on devices owned or supported, with no use limit.
What to know first
- Runs on Windows only.
- VirusTotal features require accepting VirusTotal's terms.
- Microsoft provides no official support for Sysinternals tools.
- Redistribution requires a license.
bug.n: what it does well
- Includes Tile, Monocle, and Floating layouts.
- Views can show selected windows and tag windows.
- Status bar can display system and window details.
- Supports multiple monitors and configurable hotkeys.
What to know first
- The project is no longer actively maintained.
- Long continuous use may cause slowdown from a window-list leak.
- Antivirus tools may flag the executable because of its hooks.
Alternatives to Autoruns Alternatives to bug.n The whole list