📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses a user experiencing a mysterious "setup" and "downloader" window appearing briefly during Windows startup, which is difficult to identify and persists despite troubleshooting. Multiple users suggest checking Task Manager, Windows Event Viewer, and startup items, with the original poster noting an Event Viewer error related to SetupARservice, possibly linked to Realtek and audio enhancement software. Eventually, the user discovers Avast detects the issue as a threat in the temp folder, and after disabling unwanted Skype-related tasks, the problem seems resolved, highlighting the importance of cleaning temporary files and monitoring unexpected startup activities.

DigDugFighter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
47
Thread Author #1
When I boot into windows I have a window show up in the taskbar named setup and it changes to downloader. No window pops up on the screen and it goes away. How can I find out what it is? Thanks!
 

Solution
So, AVAST started detecting this thing as a threat when I booted my computer. Something in the temp folder. I looked in task scheduler and had two things. Skypeautoupdater and Skypeupdate. I don't even have Skype or ever had Skype on my computer, lol. I disabled them and all is well now. I don't know where it came from.

kemical

Essential Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
36,160
You could try checking the Task Manager. Simply right click on the Task bar and choose from the list. This will allow you to see what apps are running.
 

DigDugFighter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
47
Thread Author #3
I tried that but it goes away too fast. I don't see anything it could be in the task manager running.
 

ussnorway

Windows Forum Team
Staff member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
4,597
please post your windows start up tab
An image from 'Mystery 'Setup' Process in Taskbar: How to Identify It in Windows?'. Windows Task Manager's Startup tab shows Microsoft OneDrive disabled along with other apps.
 

Last edited by a moderator:

davehc

Essential Member
Premium Supporter
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
5,546
Or a third offer.

Run this in a command prompt (with admin privilege). Restart your computer and see what entries are in the event logs.

for /F "tokens=*" %1 in ('wevtutil.exe el') DO wevtutil.exe cl "%1"
 

DigDugFighter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
47
Thread Author #6
Event viewer shows SetupARservice error. I tried disabling that service. Still happening. :(
Only other error in event viewer is service control manager. The downloader/setup seems to be harmless. I use Breakaway audio enhancer and since SetupARservice is realtek something, I thought it might be that. I can't figure it out, it bugs me. I have disabled every startup thing except AVAST trying to get rid of it, it's always there.

Should I be looking only for errors in the event viewer? I have looked at everything there, I don't see what else it could be. Hope it is enough information to give you guys some ideas. Really shouldn't be this difficult. :(
 

DigDugFighter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
47
Thread Author #8
Probably, but I can't get it to go away when disabling Breakaway completely. Guess I will just uninstall things until it goes away just to see what it is.
 

DigDugFighter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
47
Thread Author #9
So, AVAST started detecting this thing as a threat when I booted my computer. Something in the temp folder. I looked in task scheduler and had two things. Skypeautoupdater and Skypeupdate. I don't even have Skype or ever had Skype on my computer, lol. I disabled them and all is well now. I don't know where it came from.
 

Solution

ussnorway

Windows Forum Team
Staff member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
4,597
You can and should delete anything in the temp folder every now and then... one of the very few places Windows doesn't scan and so a popular place for spam/ malware to infect.