Before diving into the differences between Autoruns 64 and Autoruns 64a, let's briefly overview what Autoruns does. Autoruns is an advanced utility that shows a comprehensive list of all applications that are configured to run at system boot or login. It scans the registry and file system for entries that could potentially be executed automatically, presenting them in an organized manner. This allows users to easily enable, disable, or delete entries to manage startup programs.
Ultimately, both versions are valuable additions to any Windows administrator's or power user's toolkit, offering unparalleled visibility into the automatic startup process of Windows systems.
When you download the Sysinternals Autoruns package, you’ll notice several different executable files. Choosing between Autoruns64.exe and Autoruns64a.exe depends entirely on your computer's processor architecture. Quick Comparison: Which One Should You Run? Executable Architecture Autoruns64.exe x64 (AMD64/Intel 64) Most modern desktop and laptop PCs. Autoruns64a.exe ARM64
Devices with ARM processors, like the Microsoft Surface Pro (ARM) or certain tablets. Understanding Autoruns64.exe
Autoruns64.exe is the standard version designed for the x64 architecture, which powers the vast majority of Windows computers using Intel or AMD processors.
Native Performance: Because it is compiled specifically for 64-bit Intel/AMD systems, it runs natively without needing any emulation.
Comprehensive Scanning: It has full access to the 64-bit areas of the Windows Registry and system files, which is critical for identifying malware that hides in 64-bit specific "Auto-start Extensibility Points" (ASEPs).
Usage Case: If you are on a standard 64-bit Windows PC, this is the version you should use. Understanding Autoruns64a.exe
The "a" in Autoruns64a.exe stands for ARM. This version is built specifically for devices running on ARM64 processors. autoruns 64 vs autoruns 64a
ARM-Native: While ARM-based Windows devices can often emulate x86 or x64 software, running the native ARM version is more efficient and ensures the tool correctly reads architecture-specific startup locations.
Common Devices: You would use this on hardware like the Surface Pro 9 (5G), Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, or other laptops featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.
Error Prevention: If you try to run the "a" version on a standard Intel or AMD machine, it will likely fail with a "Not a valid Win32 application" error. What About Autoruns.exe (The Standard Version)? The standard Autoruns.exe is the original 32-bit binary.
Self-Detection: Interestingly, if you run the 32-bit autoruns.exe on a 64-bit system, it is designed to detect your architecture and can automatically launch the 64-bit version for you.
Compatibility: It remains in the package primarily to support older 32-bit versions of Windows or minimal environments where 64-bit support is absent. Which autoruns executable to use? - Microsoft Q&A
The primary difference between Autoruns64.exe Autoruns64a.exe is that the "a" version is the command-line (ASCII/CUI) version
of the tool, while the standard version uses a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Key Differences Autoruns64.exe (GUI)
: This is the standard 64-bit version of the tool. It opens a window with tabs (Logon, Explorer, Services, etc.) and allows you to uncheck boxes to disable startup items visually. It is the best choice for most users performing manual system audits. Autoruns64a.exe (Command-Line) : The "a" stands for CUI (Console User Interface) Before diving into the differences between Autoruns 64
or "Alpha-numeric." It does not open a window; instead, it runs inside a Command Prompt or PowerShell terminal. It is designed for system administrators and power users who want to script the tool or export startup data to text files/CSV for automated analysis. When to Use Which Autoruns64.exe Autoruns64a.exe Graphical (Windows/Tabs) Command-Line (Text-based) Ease of Use High (Point and click) Low (Requires commands/switches) Automation Yes (Batch files/Scripts) Visual inspection Text, CSV, or XML redirection How to use Autoruns64a
If you need to use the command-line version, you typically use it to generate reports. For example, to export all entries to a text file, you would open a terminal and run: autoruns64a.exe -a > startup_report.txt Note on other versions Autoruns.exe : The 32-bit GUI version. Autorunsc.exe
: The original name for the command-line version (the "c" stands for Console). On 64-bit systems, autorunsc64.exe autoruns64a.exe serve the same purpose. command-line switches
available for the "a" version to automate your system checks?
When you download the Sysinternals Autoruns suite, you will find several executable files in the folder. The choice between autoruns64.exe autoruns64a.exe depends entirely on your computer's processor architecture Microsoft Learn Key Differences autoruns64.exe : This is the standard 64-bit version designed for Intel or AMD
processors (x64 architecture). It is the version most users should run on a modern 64-bit Windows PC. autoruns64a.exe : The "a" suffix stands for
. This version is specifically built for devices with ARM-based processors, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro X or newer laptops using Snapdragon chips. Microsoft Learn Which one should you use?
The primary difference between autoruns64 and autoruns64a is the processor architecture they are designed to run on: This allows users to easily enable, disable, or
autoruns64.exe: This is for standard 64-bit Intel or AMD (x64) processors.
autoruns64a.exe: This is specifically for 64-bit ARM processors. Key Feature: VirusTotal Integration
One of the most powerful features of both versions is the ability to check the reputation of your startup items directly through VirusTotal.
How it works: You can submit the hashes of autostart files to VirusTotal to see if they have been flagged as malicious by various antivirus engines.
Benefit: This helps you quickly distinguish between legitimate system processes and potential malware hiding in your boot sequence.
Are you currently troubleshooting a specific startup issue or just cleaning up your system? Which autoruns executable to use? - Microsoft Q&A
Paul Jackson 26. Feb 12, 2021, 3:23 AM. Hello, The Sysinternals Autoruns utility includes multiple executable files: autoruns.exe, Microsoft Learn
Which Autoruns executable for AMD Radeon 64-bit? - Microsoft Learn
Here’s a concise explanation of the difference between Autoruns 64 and Autoruns 64a from Microsoft Sysinternals.
Tool: Microsoft Sysinternals Autoruns v14.09
Builds compared: autoruns64.exe (x64) vs. autoruns64a.exe (ARM64)
Reviewed on: Windows 11 Pro (x64) & Windows 11 on Snapdragon (ARM64)