How to Make an App Start on Startup | Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Having your favorite apps automatically launch on startup can be a great way to save time and hassle. It eliminates the need for manually launching them each time you log in and allows you to get to work faster. But how do you make an app start on startup? This article will walk you through the steps for making an app start on startup, from creating a startup script to using the Windows Task Scheduler, a third-party tool, modifying the registry, adding an entry to the system startup folder, and configuring the app as a service.

Create a Startup Script for the App

Creating a startup script is one of the simplest ways to make an app start on startup. A startup script is a batch file that contains commands to launch the app. To create a startup script, you’ll need to open a text editor and write a few lines of code. Once the script is complete, you’ll need to save it in the startup folder for the app.

Steps for Creating a Script

1. Open a text editor such as Notepad or TextEdit.
2. Type the following code:
   • @echo off
   • start path/to/app.exe
3. Replace “path/to/app.exe” with the full path to the executable file for the app you want to launch on startup.
4. Save the file in the startup folder for the app. On Windows, this is usually located in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
5. Restart your computer to test the script.

Use the Windows Task Scheduler to Automate the App Launch

The Windows Task Scheduler can also be used to make an app start on startup. The Task Scheduler allows you to set up tasks that run at specific times or when certain events occur. You can use it to automatically launch the app on startup.

Steps for Configuring the Windows Task Scheduler

1. Open the Task Scheduler by typing “Task Scheduler” into the search box in the Start menu.
2. Click “Create Basic Task” in the Actions pane.
3. Enter a name and description for the task.
4. Select “When my computer starts” from the Trigger drop-down menu.
5. Select “Start a program” from the Action drop-down menu.
6. Browse for the executable file for the app you want to launch on startup.
7. Click “Finish” to save the task.
8. Restart your computer to test the task.

Use a Third-Party Tool to Manage Startups

Using a third-party tool to manage startups is another way to make an app start on startup. There are several third-party tools available that allow you to easily configure which apps launch on startup. Some of these tools even allow you to delay the launch of certain apps so that they don’t bog down your system.

Steps for Configuring a Third-Party Tool

1. Download and install a third-party tool such as Autoruns or CCleaner.
2. Launch the tool and click the “Startup” tab.
3. Find the app you want to launch on startup in the list of programs.
4. Check the box next to the app to enable it.
5. Restart your computer to test the tool.

Modify the Registry to Automatically Launch the App

You can also make an app start on startup by modifying the Windows registry. The registry is a database that stores configuration settings for Windows. By editing the registry, you can add a key that will launch the app on startup.

Steps for Modifying the Registry

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter.
3. Navigate to the following key:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
4. Right-click and select “New > String Value”.
5. Name the new value “[name of app]” and press Enter.
6. Double-click the new value and enter the full path to the executable file for the app.
7. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to test the changes.

Add an Entry to the System Startup Folder

You can also add an entry to the system startup folder to make an app start on startup. The system startup folder is a special folder where programs and scripts can be stored to be launched automatically when the computer boots up. Adding an entry to the system startup folder is a simple process.

Steps for Adding an Entry to the System Startup Folder

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R.
2. Type “shell:startup” and press Enter.
3. Copy the shortcut for the app you want to launch on startup into the startup folder.
4. Restart your computer to test the changes.

Configure the App to Launch as a Service

Finally, you can make an app start on startup by configuring it to launch as a service. A service is a program that runs in the background and can be configured to automatically start when the computer boots up. To configure an app to launch as a service, you’ll need to use the Windows Service Manager.

Steps for Configuring the App as a Service

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter.
3. Find the app you want to launch on startup in the list of services.
4. Right-click the service and select “Properties”.
5. Select “Automatic” from the Startup type drop-down menu.
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
7. Restart your computer to test the changes.

Conclusion

Making an app start on startup can save you time and hassle. In this article, we explored seven different ways to make an app start on startup, from creating a startup script to using the Windows Task Scheduler, a third-party tool, modifying the registry, adding an entry to the system startup folder, and configuring the app as a service. With these methods, you should have no trouble getting your favorite apps to launch automatically on startup.