Get your program to startup when Windows starts!

[kikpp]

OK here's my tutorial on how to get YOUR program to startup when Windows does.

Now, since we are accessing the registry, you will need to import Microsoft.Win32, which contains the part of the .NET Framework that handles the registry.

There are two different registry directories that handle startup items, HKEY_Current_User and HKEY_Local_Machine. Current User will start the program for the current user only, and the Local Machine will start the program for anyone who uses the computer.

To add a startup item to the Current_User, you will have to open the registry key and set the value, like so:

Private Sub AddCurrentKey(ByVal name As String, ByVal path As String)
   Dim key As RegistryKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run", True)
   key.SetValue(name, path)
End Sub

And to remove it:

Private Sub RemoveCurrentKey(ByVal name As String)
   Dim key As RegistryKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run", True)
   key.DeleteValue(name, False)
End Sub

Okay thats all well and good but how would you use it?

Well, I am using a Check Box to determine wether or not the registry startup key is set. The "name" and "path" will be set when the function that sets the registry value is called.

If CurrentStartup.Checked Then
   AddCurrentKey("StartupExample", System.Reflection.Assembly.GetEntryAssembly.Location)
Else
   RemoveCurrentKey("StartupExample")
End If

Definitions:
StartupExample is the name of the project, and will also be the name set in the registry key. System.Reflection.Assembly.GetEntryAssembly.Location gets the current location of the program to store in the registry key.
Also, another way that you can set the "name" of the startup key other than specifying it, is by using System.Reflection.Assembly.GetEntryAssembly.FullName.

Now, to set the same startup key in the Local_Machine, just change CurrentUser to LocalMachine

(please remember that the registry is like an animal if you pull its bones out it will cease to work, so dont mess it up! )

Enjoy

[Dombo]

Awesome! +2

[PIN]

Thanks, im trying to understand this

[Jonthe838]

awsome! will try this later

[kikpp]

lol did you get it to work?

[Ebonesser]

Or you could only righ click on the START button and choose EXPLORE ALL USERS,
browse to the PROGRAMS>>>STARTUP folder and place a shortcut to the program you want to start with windows there

[ReidE96]

Registry is better because you don't need to mess around with shortcuts, and also this way is more useful for the things some folk round these parts will make, where the program itself is hidden and they don't want any evidence of it, which seeing as few ever think to look through their registry is a safe bet. Yes, I'm talking about keyloggers and the like.

[Mitron]

Thats great i wont use it cuz im to noobisch but u get +rep anyways cuz of the greatness ^^

[kikpp]

awwww....ty mitron. Ya, don't try it if your not good enough yet. Messing with registers can screw up your comp

[visitor]

Thanks. I didnt know where was the autorun in the registry
and in VB.NET RegistryKey is Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey

[2dgreengiant]

Start > Programs > Startup :P easier for me heh

[Mitron]

btw kikpp... is there any possibilty to just make an easier code so the app just starts for the whole machine everytime ?? and do i need to import that Microsoft.Win32 anyway ?? =3

[NightUndead]

This is the easy way to startup with Windows, however the program doesn't start until the user is logged in... If you want it to start before that the only way to do it, is through a service (easy to make but besides the point), services are the only thing you can start before a user logs on... Heck I once made a service that started the windows calculator!

[miLl3niUm]

I don't see why this should be legendary, it's pretty simple but good job for taking the time to write it.

[Mitron]

Well i actually only need when the user logon it's ment to be a trojan or something but i need to start up when user logon :P and i dont get that part with Microsoft.Win32 thing....