Do you use autoruns? Have you used autoruns?
Asked by
2davidc8 (
10189
)
March 9th, 2021
Is it still useful today? Is it safe?
I’m referring to the program that can control what programs are automatically started up when you boot up your computer.
The reason I asked is that when you install new software (like printer drivers for your new printer), additional software is also installed without your knowledge. Sometimes these are called bloatware. They are often unnecessary and use up memory and processing power. Very annoying. I want to keep them from starting up.
Is there something better than autoruns?
Thanks!
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
5 Answers
There are some programs that I want to launch automatically at startup, yes.
I also have a batch file to reconnect mounted network drives, because Windows has this nasty habit of forgetting them randomly when you shutdown and restart the system.
Autoruns are sort of archaic and somewhat dangerous in this day and age. Most programs that I want to run at startup are run as Services (and registered as services) which makes them somewhat easier to track.
Automatically running software is as common (and as frequently abused and wasteful) and as “safe” as it was in days of yore.
This sounds like you’re talking about the operating system Windows.
As part of Microsoft’s general design strategy to rename, redesign, rebrand, rework, and reduce the ease of use of all of their products on a regular basis, all while trying to seem trendy, starting programs are controlled by different other programs, depending on what version of Windows you have.
As a very special innovative feature, they even changed it after Windows 10 release, so you get a free game of finding where it is again. Though since Windows 10 does its best to prevent users from avoiding updates, almost everyone probably has the 2018 update that changed that.
Here is an article that attempts to describe where to find it in each Windows version back to XP, all while trying to sound more or less positive about the whole SNAFU: https://www.howtogeek.com/74523/how-to-disable-startup-programs-in-windows/
Thanks, @Zaku, for the link. I wanted to prevent certain “services” from starting up at boot up time. And, if in spite of it all, something started up anyway, I wanted to be able to shut it down without having to reboot.
I’m thinking of annoying programs like the “service” that HP automatically installs when you install an HP printer driver that checks if you need to order more ink. I’ll decide when I want to order more ink, thank you very much!
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
