Startup details - BrowserChoice (browserchoice.exe)

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Startup program entry details:

BrowserChoice (browserchoice.exe)

This page expands upon the information already available for this entry in the Pacman's Portal Windows start-up programs database.

Not required or not recommended - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary

For further information on how to identify and disable startup programs please visit the Introduction page.

Description:

In the European Union, Microsoft had to provide the "Browser Choice update to comply with a legal settlement with the European Commission. Microsoft is required to inform customers who currently use Internet Explorer as their default browser that there are other web browser choices available. You can use the Browser Choice update to select and install the web browser you want to use on your computer" - see here for more information

Startup information:

Registry (Start → Run → regedit)

Key(s): HKCU\Run
Name: BrowserChoice
Data: "C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe" /run

MSConfig (Start → Run → msconfig → Startup)

Startup Item (XP): browserchoice
Startup Item (Vista/7): Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Command: "C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe" /run

Windows Defender (Start → All Programs → Windows Defender → Tools → Software Explorer)

Name: Microsoft Browser Choice
Startup Value: "C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe" /run

HijackThis (HJT) log examples:

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BrowserChoice] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe" /run

Other information:

File location: %System%
File properties "Description": Browser Choice
Purpose: System tool
Program disable option: None
Shortcut(s) available: None
Vendor/Publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Product(s): Browser Choice
Tested: Yes

Note:

%System% - refers to the System folder; by default this is C:\Windows\System (9x/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (NT/2K), or C:\Windows\System32 (XP/Vista/7)
HKCU refers to HKEY_CURRENT_USER

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