Starting an application on logon
I have some programs I wish to start when I logon to my user account on Windows 7. Currently I am putting a shortcut in the "startup" folder in the start menu. Is there an alternative to doing this? Looking in msconfig, there are programs set to start up there, but there is no apparent way of adding new ones. How can I start applications are logon? An example would be Xfire, a gaming application that I want to start automatically, but not as a service.
windows-7 windows
edited Jan 31 at 7:13
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
asked Jul 29 '11 at 22:12
Simon SheehanSimon Sheehan
7,705124269
add a comment |
I have some programs I wish to start when I logon to my user account on Windows 7. Currently I am putting a shortcut in the "startup" folder in the start menu. Is there an alternative to doing this? Looking in msconfig, there are programs set to start up there, but there is no apparent way of adding new ones. How can I start applications are logon? An example would be Xfire, a gaming application that I want to start automatically, but not as a service.
windows-7 windows
edited Jan 31 at 7:13
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
asked Jul 29 '11 at 22:12
Simon SheehanSimon Sheehan
7,705124269
The best answer may vary depending on what kinds of programs. Are they shortcuts, exe or bat files, or do you need some program to run as a service? I can think of a lot of ways to do this, but some might be better than others depending on what you are doing: One is even very complicated for complicated situations.
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 22:41
One more question: What isn't the startup folder doing for you in this case?
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 23:19
@KCotreau I just feel there may be a better way to do it.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 29 '11 at 23:20
add a comment |
I have some programs I wish to start when I logon to my user account on Windows 7. Currently I am putting a shortcut in the "startup" folder in the start menu. Is there an alternative to doing this? Looking in msconfig, there are programs set to start up there, but there is no apparent way of adding new ones. How can I start applications are logon? An example would be Xfire, a gaming application that I want to start automatically, but not as a service.
windows-7 windows
edited Jan 31 at 7:13
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
asked Jul 29 '11 at 22:12
Simon SheehanSimon Sheehan
7,705124269
I have some programs I wish to start when I logon to my user account on Windows 7. Currently I am putting a shortcut in the "startup" folder in the start menu. Is there an alternative to doing this? Looking in msconfig, there are programs set to start up there, but there is no apparent way of adding new ones. How can I start applications are logon? An example would be Xfire, a gaming application that I want to start automatically, but not as a service.
windows-7 windows
windows-7 windows
edited Jan 31 at 7:13
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
asked Jul 29 '11 at 22:12
Simon SheehanSimon Sheehan
7,705124269
edited Jan 31 at 7:13
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
asked Jul 29 '11 at 22:12
Simon SheehanSimon Sheehan
7,705124269
edited Jan 31 at 7:13
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
edited Jan 31 at 7:13
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
edited Jan 31 at 7:13
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
11.1k43278
asked Jul 29 '11 at 22:12
Simon SheehanSimon Sheehan
7,705124269
asked Jul 29 '11 at 22:12
Simon SheehanSimon Sheehan
7,705124269
asked Jul 29 '11 at 22:12
Simon SheehanSimon Sheehan
7,705124269
7,705124269
The best answer may vary depending on what kinds of programs. Are they shortcuts, exe or bat files, or do you need some program to run as a service? I can think of a lot of ways to do this, but some might be better than others depending on what you are doing: One is even very complicated for complicated situations.
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 22:41
One more question: What isn't the startup folder doing for you in this case?
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 23:19
@KCotreau I just feel there may be a better way to do it.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 29 '11 at 23:20
add a comment |
The best answer may vary depending on what kinds of programs. Are they shortcuts, exe or bat files, or do you need some program to run as a service? I can think of a lot of ways to do this, but some might be better than others depending on what you are doing: One is even very complicated for complicated situations.
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 22:41
One more question: What isn't the startup folder doing for you in this case?
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 23:19
@KCotreau I just feel there may be a better way to do it.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 29 '11 at 23:20
The best answer may vary depending on what kinds of programs. Are they shortcuts, exe or bat files, or do you need some program to run as a service? I can think of a lot of ways to do this, but some might be better than others depending on what you are doing: One is even very complicated for complicated situations.
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 22:41
The best answer may vary depending on what kinds of programs. Are they shortcuts, exe or bat files, or do you need some program to run as a service? I can think of a lot of ways to do this, but some might be better than others depending on what you are doing: One is even very complicated for complicated situations.
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 22:41
One more question: What isn't the startup folder doing for you in this case?
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 23:19
One more question: What isn't the startup folder doing for you in this case?
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 23:19
@KCotreau I just feel there may be a better way to do it.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 29 '11 at 23:20
@KCotreau I just feel there may be a better way to do it.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 29 '11 at 23:20
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
I am going to cover a bunch of ways to start things, for the both the user and for the entire computer. Some of it is not specific to your question, but seems relevant to the general discussion.
In your case, I think the Startup folder is probably easiest and best unless you come up with a specific problem it does not solve.
Basically, there are numerous ways to make something start as a user:
- The Startup folder.
- If you have a real scripts, like .BAT, .CMD, Powershell, Windows Script Host (WSH), VBScript, or Jscript you can use gpedit.msc to add them as a login/logoff script (see the screenshot, but under
User Configuration>Windows Settings>Scripts). - Under this key in the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
To make things start for the entire computer:
- You can make things run as a service. It is fairly detailed, but you can follow this reprinting of the article I wrote on doing this for a VPN, and apply the basics steps to your situation and specific service.
- Same as above, slightly different location: If you have a real scripts, like .BAT, .CMD, Powershell, Windows Script Host (WSH), VBScript, or Jscript you can use gpedit.msc to add them as a startup/shutdown script (see the screenshot).
- Under this key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
There are others like the Runonce registry keys, legacy files like autoexec.bat, but this covers the most important ones.
edited Jan 31 at 7:12
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
answered Jul 29 '11 at 23:53
KCotreauKCotreau
24.7k54064
VERY well written, nice job.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:03
Thank you. That VPN article I wrote was based on a lot of hard work to figure out how to get it to work.
– KCotreau
Jul 30 '11 at 0:06
Great job on this one, Its an innovative way to do this. I'm not marking it as correct yet, to give others a chance, but its great so far.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:14
add a comment |
You can do this:
Start>>Run(or pressWin_Key+R>> Typegpedit.msc
- Under
Computer Configuration>>Windows Settings
- Double click
Scripts(Startup/Shutdown)
- Double click
Startupin the right pane. - Click
Addbutton and browse to your program's .exe file and then clickOkthen Click 'Ok' again.
This post mentions six other ways to do this!!
answered Jul 29 '11 at 22:17
TookTheRookTookTheRook
3,0191018
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
I am going to cover a bunch of ways to start things, for the both the user and for the entire computer. Some of it is not specific to your question, but seems relevant to the general discussion.
In your case, I think the Startup folder is probably easiest and best unless you come up with a specific problem it does not solve.
Basically, there are numerous ways to make something start as a user:
- The Startup folder.
- If you have a real scripts, like .BAT, .CMD, Powershell, Windows Script Host (WSH), VBScript, or Jscript you can use gpedit.msc to add them as a login/logoff script (see the screenshot, but under
User Configuration>Windows Settings>Scripts). - Under this key in the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
To make things start for the entire computer:
- You can make things run as a service. It is fairly detailed, but you can follow this reprinting of the article I wrote on doing this for a VPN, and apply the basics steps to your situation and specific service.
- Same as above, slightly different location: If you have a real scripts, like .BAT, .CMD, Powershell, Windows Script Host (WSH), VBScript, or Jscript you can use gpedit.msc to add them as a startup/shutdown script (see the screenshot).
- Under this key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
There are others like the Runonce registry keys, legacy files like autoexec.bat, but this covers the most important ones.
edited Jan 31 at 7:12
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
answered Jul 29 '11 at 23:53
KCotreauKCotreau
24.7k54064
VERY well written, nice job.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:03
Thank you. That VPN article I wrote was based on a lot of hard work to figure out how to get it to work.
– KCotreau
Jul 30 '11 at 0:06
Great job on this one, Its an innovative way to do this. I'm not marking it as correct yet, to give others a chance, but its great so far.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:14
add a comment |
I am going to cover a bunch of ways to start things, for the both the user and for the entire computer. Some of it is not specific to your question, but seems relevant to the general discussion.
In your case, I think the Startup folder is probably easiest and best unless you come up with a specific problem it does not solve.
Basically, there are numerous ways to make something start as a user:
- The Startup folder.
- If you have a real scripts, like .BAT, .CMD, Powershell, Windows Script Host (WSH), VBScript, or Jscript you can use gpedit.msc to add them as a login/logoff script (see the screenshot, but under
User Configuration>Windows Settings>Scripts). - Under this key in the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
To make things start for the entire computer:
- You can make things run as a service. It is fairly detailed, but you can follow this reprinting of the article I wrote on doing this for a VPN, and apply the basics steps to your situation and specific service.
- Same as above, slightly different location: If you have a real scripts, like .BAT, .CMD, Powershell, Windows Script Host (WSH), VBScript, or Jscript you can use gpedit.msc to add them as a startup/shutdown script (see the screenshot).
- Under this key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
There are others like the Runonce registry keys, legacy files like autoexec.bat, but this covers the most important ones.
edited Jan 31 at 7:12
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
answered Jul 29 '11 at 23:53
KCotreauKCotreau
24.7k54064
VERY well written, nice job.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:03
Thank you. That VPN article I wrote was based on a lot of hard work to figure out how to get it to work.
– KCotreau
Jul 30 '11 at 0:06
Great job on this one, Its an innovative way to do this. I'm not marking it as correct yet, to give others a chance, but its great so far.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:14
add a comment |
I am going to cover a bunch of ways to start things, for the both the user and for the entire computer. Some of it is not specific to your question, but seems relevant to the general discussion.
In your case, I think the Startup folder is probably easiest and best unless you come up with a specific problem it does not solve.
Basically, there are numerous ways to make something start as a user:
- The Startup folder.
- If you have a real scripts, like .BAT, .CMD, Powershell, Windows Script Host (WSH), VBScript, or Jscript you can use gpedit.msc to add them as a login/logoff script (see the screenshot, but under
User Configuration>Windows Settings>Scripts). - Under this key in the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
To make things start for the entire computer:
- You can make things run as a service. It is fairly detailed, but you can follow this reprinting of the article I wrote on doing this for a VPN, and apply the basics steps to your situation and specific service.
- Same as above, slightly different location: If you have a real scripts, like .BAT, .CMD, Powershell, Windows Script Host (WSH), VBScript, or Jscript you can use gpedit.msc to add them as a startup/shutdown script (see the screenshot).
- Under this key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
There are others like the Runonce registry keys, legacy files like autoexec.bat, but this covers the most important ones.
edited Jan 31 at 7:12
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
answered Jul 29 '11 at 23:53
KCotreauKCotreau
24.7k54064
I am going to cover a bunch of ways to start things, for the both the user and for the entire computer. Some of it is not specific to your question, but seems relevant to the general discussion.
In your case, I think the Startup folder is probably easiest and best unless you come up with a specific problem it does not solve.
Basically, there are numerous ways to make something start as a user:
- The Startup folder.
- If you have a real scripts, like .BAT, .CMD, Powershell, Windows Script Host (WSH), VBScript, or Jscript you can use gpedit.msc to add them as a login/logoff script (see the screenshot, but under
User Configuration>Windows Settings>Scripts). - Under this key in the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
To make things start for the entire computer:
- You can make things run as a service. It is fairly detailed, but you can follow this reprinting of the article I wrote on doing this for a VPN, and apply the basics steps to your situation and specific service.
- Same as above, slightly different location: If you have a real scripts, like .BAT, .CMD, Powershell, Windows Script Host (WSH), VBScript, or Jscript you can use gpedit.msc to add them as a startup/shutdown script (see the screenshot).
- Under this key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
There are others like the Runonce registry keys, legacy files like autoexec.bat, but this covers the most important ones.
edited Jan 31 at 7:12
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
answered Jul 29 '11 at 23:53
KCotreauKCotreau
24.7k54064
edited Jan 31 at 7:12
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
edited Jan 31 at 7:12
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
edited Jan 31 at 7:12
Martin Prikryl
11.1k43278
11.1k43278
answered Jul 29 '11 at 23:53
KCotreauKCotreau
24.7k54064
answered Jul 29 '11 at 23:53
KCotreauKCotreau
24.7k54064
answered Jul 29 '11 at 23:53
KCotreauKCotreau
24.7k54064
24.7k54064
VERY well written, nice job.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:03
Thank you. That VPN article I wrote was based on a lot of hard work to figure out how to get it to work.
– KCotreau
Jul 30 '11 at 0:06
Great job on this one, Its an innovative way to do this. I'm not marking it as correct yet, to give others a chance, but its great so far.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:14
add a comment |
VERY well written, nice job.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:03
Thank you. That VPN article I wrote was based on a lot of hard work to figure out how to get it to work.
– KCotreau
Jul 30 '11 at 0:06
Great job on this one, Its an innovative way to do this. I'm not marking it as correct yet, to give others a chance, but its great so far.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:14
VERY well written, nice job.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:03
VERY well written, nice job.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:03
Thank you. That VPN article I wrote was based on a lot of hard work to figure out how to get it to work.
– KCotreau
Jul 30 '11 at 0:06
Thank you. That VPN article I wrote was based on a lot of hard work to figure out how to get it to work.
– KCotreau
Jul 30 '11 at 0:06
Great job on this one, Its an innovative way to do this. I'm not marking it as correct yet, to give others a chance, but its great so far.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:14
Great job on this one, Its an innovative way to do this. I'm not marking it as correct yet, to give others a chance, but its great so far.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 30 '11 at 0:14
add a comment |
You can do this:
Start>>Run(or pressWin_Key+R>> Typegpedit.msc
- Under
Computer Configuration>>Windows Settings
- Double click
Scripts(Startup/Shutdown)
- Double click
Startupin the right pane. - Click
Addbutton and browse to your program's .exe file and then clickOkthen Click 'Ok' again.
This post mentions six other ways to do this!!
answered Jul 29 '11 at 22:17
TookTheRookTookTheRook
3,0191018
add a comment |
You can do this:
Start>>Run(or pressWin_Key+R>> Typegpedit.msc
- Under
Computer Configuration>>Windows Settings
- Double click
Scripts(Startup/Shutdown)
- Double click
Startupin the right pane. - Click
Addbutton and browse to your program's .exe file and then clickOkthen Click 'Ok' again.
This post mentions six other ways to do this!!
answered Jul 29 '11 at 22:17
TookTheRookTookTheRook
3,0191018
add a comment |
You can do this:
Start>>Run(or pressWin_Key+R>> Typegpedit.msc
- Under
Computer Configuration>>Windows Settings
- Double click
Scripts(Startup/Shutdown)
- Double click
Startupin the right pane. - Click
Addbutton and browse to your program's .exe file and then clickOkthen Click 'Ok' again.
This post mentions six other ways to do this!!
answered Jul 29 '11 at 22:17
TookTheRookTookTheRook
3,0191018
You can do this:
Start>>Run(or pressWin_Key+R>> Typegpedit.msc
- Under
Computer Configuration>>Windows Settings
- Double click
Scripts(Startup/Shutdown)
- Double click
Startupin the right pane. - Click
Addbutton and browse to your program's .exe file and then clickOkthen Click 'Ok' again.
This post mentions six other ways to do this!!
answered Jul 29 '11 at 22:17
TookTheRookTookTheRook
3,0191018
edited Jul 29 '11 at 22:29
answered Jul 29 '11 at 22:17
TookTheRookTookTheRook
3,0191018
answered Jul 29 '11 at 22:17
TookTheRookTookTheRook
3,0191018
answered Jul 29 '11 at 22:17
TookTheRookTookTheRook
3,0191018
3,0191018
add a comment |
add a comment |
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The best answer may vary depending on what kinds of programs. Are they shortcuts, exe or bat files, or do you need some program to run as a service? I can think of a lot of ways to do this, but some might be better than others depending on what you are doing: One is even very complicated for complicated situations.
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 22:41
One more question: What isn't the startup folder doing for you in this case?
– KCotreau
Jul 29 '11 at 23:19
@KCotreau I just feel there may be a better way to do it.
– Simon Sheehan
Jul 29 '11 at 23:20