It is not enough to just rely on software to clean up. We must take the initiative and proactively understand the self-starting mechanism in Windows, so that we can know ourselves and the enemy and be victorious in every battle.
1. The current user’s exclusive startup file folder
This is a common location where many applications automatically launch, and Windows automatically launches any shortcuts created in this folder. The user startup folder is generally located at: Documents and Settings<user name>"Start" formProgramsStartup, where "<user name>" is the name of the currently logged in user account.
2. Startup folder valid for all users
This is the second important place to look for automatic startup programs. No matter what identity the user uses to log in to the system, the shortcut created in this folder will always start automatically - this is the difference between it and the user's exclusive startup folder. This folder is usually located at: Documents and SettingsAll Users"Start" formProgramsStartup.
3. Load registration key
There is not much data introducing this registration key, but in fact it can also automatically start programs. Location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsNTCurrentVersionWindowsload.
4. Userinit registration key
Location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsNTCurrentVersionWinlogonUserinit.
It is also possible to automatically start the program when the system starts. Usually there is a userinit.exe under the registration key. This key allows specifying multiple programs separated by commas, such as "userinit.exe, OSA.exe" (without quotation marks).
5. ExplorerRun registration key
Different from load and Userinit, the ExplorerRun key is available under HKEY_CURRENT_USER and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. The specific location is:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorerRun, and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorerRun.
6. RunServicesOnce registration key
The RunServicesOnce registration key is used to start the service program before the user logs in, and before other programs started by the registration key. The location of the RunServicesOnce registration key is:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunServicesOnce, and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunServicesOnce.
7. RunServices registration key
The program specified by the RunServices registration key is executed immediately after the program specified by RunServicesOnce, but both are before the user logs in. The location of RunServices is:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunServices, and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunServices.
8. RunOnceSetup registration key
RunOnceSetup specifies the program to be executed after the user logs in. Its location is:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion RunOnceSetup, and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows
CurrentVersionRunOnceSetup.
9. RunOnce registration key
The installation program usually uses the RunOnce key to automatically execute the program, and its location is
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce and HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce.
The RunOnce key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE will execute the program immediately after the user logs in, and the execution time will be before the programs specified by other Run keys. The RunOnce key under HKEY_CURRENT_USER is executed after the operating system processes other Run keys and the contents of the "Startup" folder. If it is XP, you also need to check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnceEx.
10. Run registration key
Run is the most commonly used registration key for automatically executing programs, located at:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun, and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun.
The Run key under HKEY_CURRENT_USER is executed immediately after the Run key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, but both are before processing the "Startup" folder.