How to automatically load an application at startup...before log on

  • Thread starter Thread starter GaryB
  • Start date Start date
G

GaryB

I am working on an XP Home machine with multiple users.
Security isn't a priority.

I'd like to configure the machine so that if there's a
power outage while I'm away and the machine reboots, that
a certain program will load and run automatically...even
though no one is there to log on to a given account.

I imagine there might be two ways to do this: first, to
write some kind of a startup script that automatically
loads this program whenever Windows reboots (even if no
user is logged on). Second, perhaps I can create a dummy
user account which automatically logs on without a
password and have this app in my startup folder for that
account.

I know that I can achieve the second result if I have
only a single, non-password protected user account on the
computer...but I don't want to delete the other two user
accounts.

So, can anyone tell me the easiest way to achieve my
objective?
 
Convert it as a service? (Depending upon the necessity)

Srvany.exe: Applications as Services Utility - Windows XP Resource Kit
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&displaylang=en
* Once installed, open Helpctr to learn more about srvany.exe and instsrv.exe

FireDaemon :: Install and run Win32 applications as Windows NT/2K/XP/2K3/Longhorn services:
http://www.firedaemon.com/

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

AumHa VSOP: http://www.aumha.org

I am working on an XP Home machine with multiple users.
Security isn't a priority.

I'd like to configure the machine so that if there's a
power outage while I'm away and the machine reboots, that
a certain program will load and run automatically...even
though no one is there to log on to a given account.

I imagine there might be two ways to do this: first, to
write some kind of a startup script that automatically
loads this program whenever Windows reboots (even if no
user is logged on). Second, perhaps I can create a dummy
user account which automatically logs on without a
password and have this app in my startup folder for that
account.

I know that I can achieve the second result if I have
only a single, non-password protected user account on the
computer...but I don't want to delete the other two user
accounts.

So, can anyone tell me the easiest way to achieve my
objective?
 
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