Summary: 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?
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.
Related:
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Ask Leo! - What's all this stuff running after I boot Windows?
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Ask Leo! - How do I get the entire Programs menu to always display?
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Ask Leo! - Why don't installed programs show up for all users?
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SysInternals.com - autoruns
Article C2745 - August 6, 2006
I used the exetoservice software to convert my app to a service and set it up. I think it works great now and addresses my needs very well. Thanks you for the info on this web site. This was so helpful.
Posted by: Ramya Dasaratha at April 6, 2008 5:45 AMRamya
HELP!! i need to know how to directly start a program example... When your friend asks a file and you send it by msn i want the program or file to start or open directly after download... Tell me please,,. Thanks
Posted by: Cedie at July 14, 2008 5:13 AM-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
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Starting a program automatically after a download (without
the recipient explicitly saying "now run this") would be a
HUGE security hole and would open up the doors to malware
even wider than they already are. I'm not aware of a way to
do that on an IM file transfer, and I wouldn't recommended
it if I did.
Leo
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Posted by: Leo at July 14, 2008 9:55 AMZoSVixxloiX4lQqZgZiNVg4=
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I have question LEo, how to mapping drive auto to user when they login.I use Terminal Service Client that i want they all put they data on server.Example i have folder on D:/Share on server i want when theyuser login,automatically mapping drive z on they computer.Thank
Posted by: bong at October 12, 2008 3:38 PMGreat information. To take this a step further. I have a small freeware executable (Windows) that I want to distribute. I want to include in the install script the ability for the user to either run this program at every boot up and/or at a specified time every day. Is there an easy way to do this?? Thanks
Posted by: Jack Mader at October 15, 2008 7:25 AMI never dare edit registry without guide, but this time Google Web accelerator has stopped running with simple startup folder procedure. I think it is not responding when evoked at an early stage of boot and I need to set up a time, like- '200 seconds after boot' for it to successfully autostart. Even Symbian has a software that can do this but not PC? Is it possible to achieve this by editing the registry? the functions of -atboottime,-osboot,/c,/m etc are not clear to me.
Posted by: Subhasis at December 10, 2008 11:13 PMwhat is the command to make batch file auto run every windows start up?
01-Jan-2009
First off let me just say GREAT site!!
Posted by: Rich at January 27, 2009 11:24 AMI'm looking to auto start an older DOS program, but when i put it in startup it does start the program.. BUT minimized on the task bar..
anyway I can have a program start and start full screen?
Hi, I like autorun from SysInternals.
I use ZoneLabs Security Suite that needs to be started before Outlook -- for junk mail filtering. ZoneLabs always start at log in, is there a way to start Outlook after all post login processes start?
Thanks,
Posted by: Mark at March 24, 2009 1:41 PMMark
I want run my JAVA program during booting process How is it possible?
Posted by: TejRaj Seelamsetti at June 14, 2009 12:02 AM