How to Make a Program Run Automatically When Windows Starts

Introduction to Automatic Startup Programs in Windows

In today's age of constant connectivity, it's not rare to find multiple programs running at startup. Whether it's for checking emails, starting important applications like database tools, or ensuring vital software is running, setting programs to automatically start on Windows startup can save time and provide convenience.

Steps to Add Programs to Windows Startup

Windows provides a straightforward method to add or remove programs from the startup list in Windows 10 and 11. First, type “Startup Apps” into the Windows search box to access the list of apps that activate at startup. Here, you can either delete or add an app in the startup list.

Alternatively, for added precision, you can open Task Manager and see a list of programs scheduled to start on a new start. You can add or delete programs on this start list.

However, it's worth noting that if you use Hibernate or Sleep, it might not trigger the startup list mentioned above. For my setup, I rely on desktop icons to start most of my applications, which keeps my PC from being loaded with resource-heavy applications that start automatically.

To create a shortcut and add it to the startup list, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box. Type shell:startup and press Enter. This will open a folder called Startup. Copy and paste the shortcut of the app you want to add to the startup folder.

Setting Up Automatically Starting Programs on Linux

When it comes to Linux, the method of automatically starting programs at boot differs. One common and effective way is to create a cron job, but personally, I find the process simpler.

Open the default crontab editor with the command crontab -e. If you're prompted to choose an editor, select /bin/nano for simplicity. Add a line starting with @reboot and insert the command to start your program after that. For example, to open Google in Mozilla browser at startup, the crontab entry would look like this:

@reboot /usr/bin/mozilla

Save the file to install the cron job.

The file is saved in /var/spool/crontab/username.

Windows Settings to Configure Automatic Startup

Configuring automatic startup on Windows involves a few steps that can also be done via the system configuration utility:

Click on the Windows Start button to open the Start menu. From the Start menu, open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows key R. Enter msconfig and press Enter to open System Configuration. Go to the Startup tab and configure the programs you wish to start automatically. For added control, you can right-click on the application listed under startup and choose the Enable option for automatic startup.

This ensures that any application you need to run at startup is configured to do so automatically, without the need for manual intervention each time the PC boots up.

Conclusion

Setting up programs to start automatically at startup can significantly streamline your computing experience. Whether you're using Windows or Linux, there are methods to achieve this, making your daily routine more efficient and less time-consuming.