Command-line window pops up unexpectedly shortly after boot-up


  1. Gwaihir
    Posts : 28
    Windows 10 Home
       New #1

    Command-line window pops up unexpectedly shortly after boot-up


    Recently I've found a blank black window briefly popping up not long after booting up my HP laptop. Up to now it hasn't hung around long enough for me to see what it was but today it lingered long enough for me to see it was %windir%\system32\cmd.exe. The window is completely blank and I've no idea why this has suddenly started happening unless it's the result of a recent update.

    I'm currently running a full scan of the Windows antivirus but I'd be surprised if it finds anything.

    Has anyone any idea what might be going on?
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 43,047
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    This question recurs periodically, and has answers in tenforums. Please feel free to search for such threads where ideas have been posted.

    One cause is Onedrive updates.

    Another could be a scheduled task.

    Autoruns (free from MS) gives you control of all startups. By progressively disabling non-MS startups you may be able to identify what triggers this.

    There's no one cause.

    Try a clean boot (Google or see tutorial if unsure how) and see if it still occurs. Work from there backwards if it no longer occurs, and 'forwards' - disabling more- if it does.
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  4. spunk
    Posts : 4,810
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #3

    As stated, download Autoruns This will show you what starts automatically with Windows.

    You may also want to check in Task Manager to see if there are any sch3eduled Tasks set to run when Windows starts.

    Also as stated, try a Clean Boot, if this works, then add one Startup Item or Service at a time until the behavior returns, then you will know the culprit.
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  6. Gwaihir
    Posts : 28
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Thanks for your replies and suggestions. The Defender antivirus scan did find a number of malwares which, unfortunately, I didn't record but included some trojans. After they'd been dealt with I also ran Microsoft Defender Offline so it'll be interesting to see if these have resolved the issue before I move on to your suggestions.

    I don't use the laptop much so it could be some time before I report back.
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  7. spunk
    Posts : 4,810
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #5

    Take your time, use an Offline Virus scanner for best results
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