Add Applications to Startup

How run an application at startup?

WindowsXP offers a sophisticated way to run program at system start-up. In the old days of windows 98 we use Autoexec.BAT, a batch file with MS-DOS commands to run a program at startup. windows XP said good-bye to AUTOEXEC.BAT and offers registry entry for start-ups. You can use msconfig.exe utility to add a startup entry.

Goto Start -> Run -> Type msconfig and press enter.

In the system Configuration Utility Window there is a tab named 'Startup'. In this tab three columns named Startup Item, Command and location is available. The startup item is the name of the application that run on startup. Command is the file name and path of the application.

System Configuration Utility does not have an option to add start up item. Typically Setup programs for an application will create a registry entry to add a program in system startup. The entry can be per user or per computer. User specific entry will go into HKEY_CURRENT_USER of the Registry. System wide entry will go into HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key.


Now, how to a start-up applicatino using system registry.

Goto Start -> Run -> type regedit and press enter.

The registry editor will open. If you want to add a startup program for the current user goto HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Run

On the right side panel there are three columns Name, Type and Data. Right click on empty space and Select New -> String Value. Change 'New Value #1' to test. Double click it. In value data type c:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE. This will make Notepad application to run each time the current user logs into the system. You can specify any applicaion that you want to run at start-up. Click OK and close registry editor.

If you want to make a startup entry for all users on the computer you have to add the entry in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE part of the registry.

go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion

There are two folders Run and RunOnce.

If you want the startup program to run every time the users logsin create it under Run. Otherwise if you want the program to run only once when the windows starts add the entry under RunOnce. Thats it!

How to Create Disk Partition?

Disk management in XP

Windows XP provides a comprehensive disk management tool to create partitions in the Hard Disk Drive. You can create new partitions, delete existing partitions, change drive letters etc using the disk management tool.

In the old days of Windows 98 one would use FDISK, a DOS based Disk partition tool to create Partition both FAT and FAT32. FDISK does not support NTFS partitions. Before installing Windows 98 you have to partition and format the hard drive. Windows 98 setup does not have option to create partition and format the hard drive. You will typically use FDISK before installing Windows 98.

Windows XP changed all these by providing built-in partition tool. When setting up Windows XP you will asked to select a partition to install Windows. For new Disk with no partition you can create a partition from within the setup. You can enter the amount of disk space in MB and format the disk (both Normal / Quick format). If you did not create all the partition while installing (just C: is created) you can create other partitions once XP is installed and started.

To do this go to control panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management

You can find Disk Management option.

Primary partition is shown in violet color
Extended partition is shown in Green Color
Logical drive is shown in blue color

You can right click and carry out the desired action. Creation of extended partition, Creation of Logical drives, Changing drive letters etc.