I have tried in Safe mode but have no clue what to check
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(I only mentioned Safe Mode to see if the error still occurs)
Did you try what Kees suggested? Go to Start>Run. Enter msconfig in the empty field to right of "Open". Click on the start up tab. As mentioned, by process of elimination you might be able to find "who the author" is.
A few areas to investigate as a result of a google search...
• Do you have any security software running at start up?
• According to some lists (which report the error) an obsolete antivirus could be the cause. Did you have an A/V installed at any point in time? If so, did you remove it completely?
• More than one site reports a download manager to be the culprit.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to scan with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. It offers a free version.
As Kees, I would also start by running msconfig.
Carol