How to Run Programs Automatically When a User Logs On (240791)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server

This article was previously published under Q240791

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use group policies in Windows 2000 to configure a program to run automatically when a user logs on.

MORE INFORMATION

You can apply a policy to an individual user or to a computer, and you can use any valid program (custom, third-party, or Windows 2000 programs such as Microsoft Internet Explorer). For example, use the appropriate method to configure Notepad.exe to run when a user logs on:
  • To configure Notepad to run when any user logs on to a specific computer:
    1. Edit the following group policy:

      Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Run These Programs at User Logon

    2. Type the full path name of the program. In this example, type the following path name:

      c:\%windir%\system32\notepad.exe

  • To configure Notepad to run when a specific user logs on (regardless of the computer he or she uses):
    1. Edit the following group policy:

      User Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Run These Programs at User Logon

    2. Type the full path name of the program.
NOTE: If the program does not run, make sure the path is correct. The program does not run (and no error message is displayed) if the path is not found.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/13/2003
Keywords:kbenv kbhowto KB240791