Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.

If the SYSTEM32 folder opens on log in it's normally the result of a broken start-up entry or a virus. There are steps you can take to correct it.

Why does my System32 folder open when I log in?

As I discussed in a previous article, a lot can happen when you start up or login to Windows. Some of it you want, some of it you don't, and some of it you don't even know about unless you go looking. But every once in a while we come across the strange, unexpected, or bizarre. Several people reported that the system32 folder would open automatically when they logged in. They'd close it and everything seemed fine.

A minor annoyance, or a symptom of a more serious issue?

As it turns out, Microsoft even has a knowledgebase article on the scenario here. It describes how an improper registry setting can cause the problem and one way of dealing with the issue - editing the registry entry directly.

In many cases the solution is actually just a little bit easier. Run msconfig or autoruns (both described in this article) and look for a startup entry that matches that described in the knowledgebase article - that's likely the cause of the problem. Do your best to make sure that it's not something important, certainly save the text somewhere (copy/paste it to a text file or even write it down), delete it and you should be fine.

Of course the next question is how did it get there? Since things that happen at startup time are usually created by setup programs it's certainly possible that a poorly written setup program could have had a problem and left an incomplete or corrupt entry. If you've installed or tried to install anything recently and the problem began then, then that's a likely scenario.

The other scenario is one we've been hearing much about lately: a virus. The viruses that have been making the news are all fairly sophisticated and apparently well written. But of course not all of them are. It's quite possible that a problematic virus either has infected or has tried to infect your machine. Viruses also like to make things happen at start-up. If they have a problem when writing that startup-entry then this type of problem can result.

The advice? You've heard it before:

  • Get a good anti-virus package

  • Make sure the virus signatures are up to date

  • Scan for viruses on a regular basis

  • Don't open email attachments from people you don't know

  • Have a good firewall solution in place

Article C1888 - January 29, 2004

Leo 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.

Not what you needed?

Recent Comments
95 Comments

I think the cause of my System32 folder popping up on startup is the /L:ENG thingy, described by cornbread in the replies (thanks a lot!). I'd just DBAN'd my hard-drive and installed everything fresh... then found was getting this System32 folder popup! Now ok after discovering the issue, as I do have the Sound Blaster Augigy 2 sound card installed.

Quote re /L:ENG = "Related to the Dell OEM version of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card. If this item is listed and checked in startup, the System32 Folder will appear on every startup."

Posted by: Deccyboy at October 10, 2010 9:38 PM

Have run 3 Registry programs, tryed every solution that anyone suggests, had HP direct connect to my PC, and System32 STILL opens upon Startup. Have read auguments both for and against deleting file.

Posted by: Bobby at October 15, 2010 8:20 AM

My solution to the System32 opening on Startup -
I eliminated most of the files in the Startup Folder. Can't say which was the culpit cause I did 5 without checking after each. I run XP Professional SP 3, on a HP Media Center m7330n.
Hope this helps someone else.

Posted by: Bobby at October 16, 2010 6:11 PM

System folder 32 opens when logging in.
Typed msconfig in run, went to startup tab,
and found an entry -schedule. Cleared the check
mark for -schedule and the problem was solved.
Like the "" marks, maybe the registery doesn't like - marks either.

Posted by: James Gallagher at November 14, 2010 9:01 AM

I had the same problem. I noticed that it started right after I installed my Sound Blaster software. The way I fixed it was by deleting the value:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Value Name: SB Audigy 2 Startup Menu

Value data: /L:ENG

Posted by: Luis at June 5, 2011 3:08 PM
Post a comment on "Why does my System32 folder open when I log in?":





Remember Me?

(You may use HTML tags for style)

Before commenting, please...

  • READ THE ARTICLE. A comment that shows you didn't will be deleted and ignored.

  • Comment only on the article. Use the search box at the top of the page if you have a question about something else.

  • NO PERSONAL INFORMATION in the comment. No email addresses. No phone numbers. No physical addresses.

  • Anything that looks the least bit like spam will be deleted. Links to unrelated sites or links that appear to be primarily promotional will be deleted, or the comment will be deleted.

  • Don't ask me to recover lost passwords or hacked accounts. I can't. Those comments will be deleted.

  • I can't respond to every comment. And I can't vouch for the accuracy of others who do.

Please wait. Your comment is being processed ...