Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
There are several ways to auto start a program under Windows. Unfortunately, only one of the auto start methods is easy.
I have a program that I want to auto start every time when windows starts, how can I do that? I know that i can do it when i put it in start folder in "programs". But I don't want to do it at that way, are there any other methods? Is it possible to create a batch file or something and write what the program is named and just click on the batch file one time, and the program will start every time when the windows starts, or do you have other ideas?
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The batch file idea reminds me of the old "autoexec.bat" file that would run every time MS-DOS was booted. That file still exists for some compatibility reasons, but it's no longer used at all.
There are other ways, but things get pretty geeky pretty quick if you don't want to use the Start menu functionality.
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I'll start by saying this: unless you know what you're doing, the Start menu - or more correctly the Start->[All] Programs->Startup sub menu - is the easiest, quickest and safest way to do it. It's what I honestly recommend - even if you need to set up an auto-login to make it happen on boot.
All you need do is create a shortcut within that sub menu to whatever it is you want and it will be run each time you log in.
Now, if you're still set on finding other ways, my recommendation would be to grab the tool "autoruns" from SysInternals.com. It will list everything that auto-starts on your machine, and from where.
You'll see several entries that are in the registry, for one example:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
has many programs listed there on my machine. You can easily look at the examples of what's already there on your own.
The several different registry keys have different purposes. They run as different users, and auto-run at different times (Boot versus user login, for example). They may not have access to everything you need, though, based on permissions and the state of the machine as it's booting up.
You probably want to know what you're doing before you attempt to add things to the registry. It's also why I say that the Start menu approach is much easier.
But the start menu, and the registry, are pretty much your only options.
Article C2745 - August 6, 2006 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
April 19, 2010 10:37 PM
I dont think Startup style works. Rather replace msmgs.exe(Windows Messenger) with ur app. I am trying to shutdown pc after 5 seconds on startup. Is there any other opt?
November 16, 2010 12:00 PM
I NEED a best solution to implements autorun in my c++ Network Monitor software which
works in any windows platforms.
Reply will be appreciated.... thnks
January 1, 2011 6:32 PM
YOU CAN COPY A SHORTCUT TO THE START UP FOLDER.
FIRST RIGHT CLICK ON THE APPLICATION .EXE FILE, >>SEND TO >> DESKTOP (BY CREATING SHORTCUT)
THEN GO TO DESKTOP AND RIGHT CLICK ON THE SHORTCUT >>CUT
AT-LAST GO TO :C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
AND PAST THE SHORTCUT TO THIS FOLDER
September 18, 2011 8:59 PM
Interociter Operator, theres a simple way to do that with the startup menu. create a .bat file in the sub menu. put the code "shutdown -s -t 5" in the .bat file and it will shut it down in 5 seconds of startup. hope this helps
November 28, 2011 6:08 PM
You can use the msconfig.exe to change a program or service to auto-start or not. Click Run>type "msconfig" and hit enter. The last two tabs are programs and services the auto-start.
The other way is to use Administrative Tools>Services. You can click on a program or service and see the settings. You can change them to auto or disable. The list shows the cureent state and whethere it is running already. You can start and stop services and find out what other services they rely on. Tread carefully.