How to Modify the List of Programs that Run When You Start Windows (270035)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q270035
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

This article describes how you can modify a list of programs that run when you start up Windows.

You can create and modify the list of programs that start automatically when you start up or log on to your computer. Some of these programs can be set up to automatically configure themselves to run when you log on to your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To modify the list of programs that run when you start Windows, choose one of the following methods:

On a Computer That Runs Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows 98

  1. Run the Policy Editor (the Poledit.exe file).
  2. Open the Local Computer object, and then locate the section titled "Programs to Run".
This section contains listings for Run, Run Once, and Run Services. With these services, you can configure the programs that you want or do not want to run at Startup.

On a Computer That Runs Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server


  2. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools (Common), and then click System Policy Editor.
  3. Open Local Computer Policy, open the System folder, and then open the Run folder.
The Run folder contains the Run policy for the programs to run at Startup. It can be modified.

On a Computer That Runs Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Workstation

Install the Server Tools, and then follow the preceding steps for Windows NT 4.0 Server.

For additional information about the installation of the Windows NT Server Tools on a Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

173673 Windows NT Server Tools for Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Available

On a Computer That Runs Windows 2000

Windows 2000 has two separate Run policies:
  • Windows 2000 Run at Startup policy
  • Windows 2000 Legacy Run at Startup policy
Windows 2000 Professional and Windows 2000 Server use these policies. The Windows 2000 Run at Startup policy is similar to the other Windows family of operating systems.

To modify this list:
  1. Open the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), and then add the Group Policy snap-in.
  2. Click Local Computer Policy, click Computer Configuration, and then click Administrative Templates.
  3. Click the System object, double-click Run these programs at user logon in the list of Local System policies in the right pane, and then click either Enable, Disable, or Not Configure.
To modify the list, you must enable the policy, and then click Show to modify the list of programs to run at Startup. A list of these files can be found in the registry under the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\Run

The second Run policy involves legacy programs. Many third-party programs such as RealAudio can be included in this category. These programs use a different registry key to configure the program to run at Startup. This registry key (the same registry key that Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT use) is located at:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

-or-

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

Programs that are configured to run at Startup from this registry key are considered legacy programs.

Windows 2000 does not enable you modify this list directly from the MMC Group Policy snap-in. Windows 2000 only enable you to enable or disable this entire list. To do this, go to the object in the MMC that contains the "Run these programs at user logon" policy. This is explained in the preceding section. Then find the policy called "Disable legacy run list". If you do not want any of your legacy programs to run, you can enable this policy.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

REFERENCES

For additional information, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

147381 How to Use System Policies On a Standalone Computer

159936 Using the Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 95 System Policy Editor

179365 INFO: Run, RunOnce, RunServices, RunServicesOnce and Startup

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/25/2006
Keywords:kbAppDev kbenv kbhowto w2000apps KB270035
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