Using Software Explorer in Windows Defender

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

This is from Microsoft. I pasted it here to avoid broken links

Use Software Explorer in Windows Defender to view detailed information about software that is currently running on your computer that can affect your privacy or the security of your computer. You can see, for example, which programs run automatically when you start Windows and information about how these programs interact with important Windows programs and services.

Software Explorer helps you monitor the following items:

Startup programs, which are programs that run automatically with or without your knowledge when you start Windows.
Currently running programs, which are programs that are currently running on the screen or in the background.
Network-connected programs, which are programs or processes that can connect to the Internet or to your home or office network.
Winsock service providers, which are programs that perform low-level networking and communication services for Windows and programs that run on Windows. These programs often have access to important areas of the operating system.

To use Software Explorer to view software running on your computer

You can use Software Explorer to view and manage programs that you use. To view and manage programs and other software for all users on the computer, however, you need to provide an administrator password or permission.

Click Start button
Click All Programs
Click Windows Defender
Click Tools
Click Software Explorer
In the Category list, select the type of software that you want to monitor
1. To monitor software that is used by all users on the computer
  1. Click Show for all users
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Understanding Software Explorer details

Software Explorer displays basic information about programs, such as the program name, publisher, and version. Depending on the category you choose, you might also see these important types of information.

Title	Description
Auto Start	Indicates if the program is registered to start automatically when Windows starts.
Startup Type	The location where the program is registered to start automatically when Windows starts; for example, in the registry or the All Users Startup folder.
Ships with Operating System	Indicates if the program was installed as part of Windows.
Classification	Identifies if the program has been analyzed for risks to your privacy and the security of the computer.
Digitally Signed By	Indicates if the software has been signed and, if so, if the publisher listed has signed it. If not, we recommend that you do not trust the publisher information provided with the software, and that you review more details before choosing if you trust the software itself.

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DISCLAIMER:UpgradeNRepair (UNR), the owner, and any representatives of UpgradeNRepair (UNR) is not liable for any data loss or hardware failure because of the following procedure. The Information provided is a guide to assist the customer with an issue with their system or software. The procedures offered here may or may not harm your files. Even procedures that are not designed to harm files, can harm files, depending on the issue with the system. Because there is too many unknowns, UpgradeNRepair is unable to guarantee the safety of the files. Customer is responsible for their data and their actions. Before following the directions on this page and the pages these links are linked to, any data the customer does not want to lose will have to be saved. Saving the data is the sole responsibility of the customer. Some or all of the following procedures or information may not apply to your situation.