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.
attempt to add things to the registry”
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.
Just for the record (and for users still using Windows 95/98/ME): on 9x-based Windows operating-systems there were also “run=” and “load=” lines in the “win.ini” file, which purpose was to load programs (and drivers, read on); where the run= one was intended to run programs and load= one to load any additional drivers.
________
best regards,
Ivan Tadej, Slovenija, EU
http://www.tadej-ivan.be/
Another idea – you can convert your program or script to Windows Service. This service will start your program after computer restart even if no user is logged on.
I recommend to use ExeToService.
http://www.exetoservice.com/
This article helped me a lot. That’s what I can say…
How about using the Local Computer Policy (if the computer is not a member of a domain) and add a Startup/Logon Script
Jankovic Milan, Belgrade, Serbia
Hi,
I chanced upon this site as Iw as searching for info on auto start ups. Nice site with lot of information, Thanks.
I need a little more help. I have tried the start up option. But that does not do waht I need. I have an exe that I would like to run before anything is shown on the desktop to the user. The app should take over the screen before anyone can see anything else about the desktop. I saw your note about downloading autoruns. And I installed it on my machine. Boy, there’s a whole bunch of things that auto start up on my machine. But how do I know the order of these things? If I knew the order, I could probably set my app to be the first to be started. But even then, there might be some windows apps that need to be running before mine can start.
I am looking at exetoService.com as suggested in a user comment above. I also have a service that this app responds to. Will that in anyway be jeoparadized if I turn this exe into a service?
Please let me know what my options are at this point.
Thanks for your help,
Ramya
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.
Ramya
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
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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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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
Great 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
I 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.
what is the command to make batch file auto run every windows start up?
01-Jan-2009
First off let me just say GREAT site!!
I’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,
Mark
I want run my JAVA program during booting process How is it possible?
What if a .exe program requires a “start” button to be pushed, or Alt S. Can this be handled from a autoexec.bat command line?
Thanks
For the novice: Start>All Programs>Startup then Right Click and Open All Users. Copy and paste the shortcut to your program in All Users. Very simple.
How do I run a program after login widows 20 minutes?
Can i automaticaly connect broadband connection when windows starts. If yes how ??
I have the opposite question. I have too much software that has decided for itself that it needs to start itself automatically every time I boot up. Is there an easy way to find out what these are and remove them?
13-Feb-2010
SPYBOT Search and Destroy allows you to turn them off without losing everything. Available at http://www.downloads.com http://download.cnet.com/Spybot-Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html?tag=mncol
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?
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
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 SettingsAll UsersStart MenuProgramsStartup
AND PAST THE SHORTCUT TO THIS FOLDER
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
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.