Windows Registry Startup path

Paths for applications to be launched at Startup Various Paths to Launch Programs at Startup:-

1. Via  Start up folder. First enable show hidden files option and then navigate to any of the following paths and Add shortcuts of the programs to be run at start up. C:\\Users\\[USERNAME]\\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Startup ( In Vista )

  • C:\\Documents and Settings\\YourUserName\\Start Menu\\ Programs\\Startup ( In XP )
  • C:\\ Users\\AllUsers\\ AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Startup ( In Vista )
  • C:\\Documents and Settings\\AllUsers\\Start Menu\\ Programs\\Startup ( In XP )

Windows Registry Startup Path

2. Via Registry: Navigate to any of the following path according to your requirement and then add a new “String key” and store path of the Program to be run in this key’s value.

For Local Machine-

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\RunOnce

For Current User-

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\RunOnce

Programs to run at logon time or when explorer runs. Navigate to path

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\Software\\Microsoft\\WindowsNT\\CurrentVersion\\WinLogon

and add path of your program to be run as follows.

Via Shell String as by editing value of key “Shell” as explorer.exe, ”.

Via Userinit String as by editing value of key “Userinit” as C:\\Windows\\System32,”