What Are Auto Start Programs?

Auto-start programs are applications that are configured to start automatically when the operating system starts.

If you are using a Windows operating system, you may have observed that some programs, such as Windows Live Messenger or Skype, can be configured to automatically start when you boot your computer.

These programs are set on the auto-start mode. One way to configure a program to start automatically is to use an auto-start program; software that maintains the list of programs that need to launch whenever you start up your computer.

Another way to utilize the auto-start feature is by using the Windows start menu. This method is considered the simplest and safest method if you are using a Windows operating system. To do this, launch the start menu, click “All Programs,” and then click “Start Up.” From here, you will create a shortcut of all applications that you want to auto-start.

A more complex method to auto-start programs is to open the "Run" command dialog box from the “Start” menu and type "msconfig.msc" or "msconfig.exe”. When the dialog box appears, go to the boot menu and select the selective boot option. Go to Start Up, where you will see a list of applications and installed programs. Select the programs that you want to auto-start and save them.

The fourth method is using the registry key to modify the registry entry of the program that you want to set on auto-start. This strategy is complex and not suitable for users with little knowledge of computers and/or the Windows operating system. However, it is recommended to keep as few programs on auto-start as possible because it slows down your computer and can expose it to some security risks.