startup persistence

Startup persistence on Windows refers to the mechanisms by which software automatically launches or continues running after a reboot, often through autostart entries, services, scheduled tasks, or privileged listeners. A thorough security audit of a Windows PC revealed that many such persistence points can remain active even after the associated applications are uninstalled, increasing attack surface and consuming system resources. Standard tools like Task Manager and Windows Security UI may not show the full picture. Practical controls exist to audit and prune these autostart artifacts, improving both security and system stability. Understanding and managing startup persistence is key to maintaining a clean, secure Windows environment.