Windows 7 Autorun – where to find it, how to view the list

Autorun contains system utilities that are required for the correct operation of Windows. In some cases, the owner of a personal computer needs to remove certain components. Because of the large number of programs in the autoloader can reduce the performance of the operating system. Thus, the question arises, how to find the autoloader in Windows 7.

Autostart – what is it in Windows 7

Autoloader is an in-built standard Windows tool. With its help, users can set up autorun programs and components. It is important to know that some software is required for proper operation of Windows: antivirus, utilities for hard disk and RAM monitoring. In addition, Google utilities must run along with the operating system to ensure the correct functioning of the Chrome web browser.

Autorun is often crowded
Note to self!  Malicious software can build itself into the autorun and thus consume personal computer resources. Therefore it is important for user to clean system files periodically.

Autorun location

Many personal computer users often ask where the autorun in Windows 7 is located. To see the autorun, you need to use one of the options:

!-6-!! open the built-in configuration utility. Here the user can edit the list of used programs;

!-6-!! use the system registry. The registry editor keys contain information about the software running at Windows startup;

!-6-!! use the Group Policy Editor. This built-in utility allows you to see and adjust autorun settings, as well as remove and add some components;

!-6-!! use the task scheduler. Windows 7 autorun can be edited through the job scheduler.

Configuration Utility
FYI!  Some third-party utilities allow you to configure and view autorun settings. CCleaner has a built-in manager for autorun management, where you can disable or enable autorun items.

How to open autorun in Windows 7

Many people ask how to open the autoloader in Windows 7. You can do it in different ways: through configuration utility, using debug console (command line), registry editor, folder on local disk.

Through the configuration utility

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Instructions:

1. On the keyboard, you need to click the key combination”Win + R”.
2. Then in the window”Run” you have to enter the executable code”Msconfig”. A new”Computer Configuration” dialog box will be displayed.
3. You have to click on the”Autorun” tab to view the required parameters.

Through the debug console (command line)

Instruction:

1. Open the console as administrator.
2. Next, scroll down and find the”Standard Utilities” tab.
3. From the list select”Command Prompt”.
4. In the system debug console window you have to enter the executable code”shell:Startup”.

Pay attention!  If a notification appears saying that there is an error in the filename or that it is not entered correctly, you should run the debugging window using extended permissions. This procedure can be done through PowerShell, if necessary.

The debug console, where you need to enter the command

Through the system utility Task Scheduler

Instructions:

1. Start the”Run” window and type the code”taskschd.msc”.
2. In the right column select”Library”.

!-7-!!!!  In the”Triggers” panel will be displayed the tasks that are started at system startup. In addition, users can see which utilities are currently running. Here you can also clean up the autorun and change its settings.

Through the registry editor

Many people ask how to view the autorun on Windows 7. You can do this through the system registry editor.

Instructions:

1. Enter the code”regedit” in the debug console window.
2. Next you must enter the system registry editor and open the directory”HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE”.
3. Go to the folder”Software” and”Microsoft”.
4. Find the directory”CurrentVersion” and”Run”.
5. Here will be the configuration files, which are responsible for loading the program at startup. To create a parameter for a component, click on an empty area and press”Set”. You will need to specify the path to the software and write the startup parameters.

Important!  Before editing registry files, you should create a restore point or backup. Changing the configuration of your personal computer may lead to various failures.

Open the autorun folder on the local system drive

Many people ask where is the autorun folder in Windows 7. You can find it on your local system drive:

1. Go into explorer and go to the local drives section.
2. Find the directory named”USER” and”Roaming”.
3. Open the”Windows” and”Autorun” directories. Here you can disable unnecessary programs, check the status of the autorun and add new components.

Folder on local drive

Setting autorun options

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To ensure the proper functioning of the OS, you need to configure the software autorun settings.

Important!  Some components cannot be disabled (e.g. Microsoft services), because they are system components.

Editing with the Group Policy Editor

Instructions:

1. At the command line, type the code”gpedit”.
2. In the right column select”Configuration”.
3. Next you must open”Administration” and”System”.
4. In the main window find the option”Run the software at OS startup”.
5. Double click on this option to display the”Properties” window.
6. Then check the”Enable” checkbox.
7. Under”Settings” you must click on”Add programs”.
8. In the”Contents” dialog box, specify the path to the executable file.
9. Then click”Apply” and”OK”.

How to add a utility to the autostart using the program settings

Some programs have a function to add a utility to the autorun. For example, consider the software DemonTools and Acrylic Wi-Fi

Instructions:

1. Open the DemonTools program.
2. Then click on the gear icon at the bottom of the window.
3. In the list you have to find the option”Autorun”.
4. Check the corresponding checkbox.

Instructions for Acrylic Wi-Fi program:

1. Open the program and in the main window click on the icon with the image of three horizontal lines.
2. Select”Configuration” item from the context menu.
3. Then tick the checkbox”Acrylic Wi-Fi Start on System”.

Add application to autorun via folder on local drive

Many people ask how to properly set up autorun programs on Windows 7. You need to open the autorun folder and add the necessary items.

Instructions:

1. Go to the autorun folder on the drive.
2. In the dialog box, click”Create” and”Shortcut”.
3. Then click the”Show” button and write the path to the executable file of the program. These actions are necessary to enable the”Autorun” option for the selected software.
4. Finally, you have to give a name to the shortcut.
5. Click on”Apply” and”OK”.

!-10-!  To exclude an application from the autorun, simply delete the shortcut from the folder.

Adding components

Cleaning the autorun on Windows 7

Instructions:

1. You have to enter the command”Msconfig” through the debug console.
2. View programs that are in autorun via the”Autorun” section.
3. To clear the list, you need to uncheck the unnecessary application.

Important!  It is not recommended to use the”Stop All” option, as some components are necessary for the proper functioning of Windows.

The following components should not be stopped:

• Intel or AMD drivers;
• Realtek and M-Audio dispatcher;

Launch Manager;

• Pointing Driver for touchpad (needed for notebooks and netbooks);
• Updater (Windows Update Center);
• Java Platform (needed to run games and browser).

Creating bat-file to add programs to autorun

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Instructions:

1. Open the text editor”Notepad”.
2. Then you have to write the following script”C:(program name)MicrosoftWindowsStartup”.
3. Under this line you have to specify the parameter”allusersprofile”.
4. Then click on”File” and”Save”.
5. Give an arbitrary name to the item and specify the”bat” extension.
6. After that you should run this file with advanced rights.

!-10-!  When finished, a message will appear on the personal computer screen stating that the script has been successfully executed.

Autorun Organizer utility to setup autorun

Instruction manual:

1. It is necessary to download the utility from a verified source on the Global Network.
2. In the main window of the program you will see the list of applications, which are launched automatically during the start of the operating system. The”Comment” column will display information about where the file and registry keys are located. To add an item, click the”Edit” button.
3. In the dialog box you should specify the path to the application.
4. To exclude an item, click on the”Delete” tab.

Autorun Organizer

Starter utility: autorun management and system optimization

Functional utility that does not require installation:

1. Download the archive from the website of the software developers.
2. Then unzip it to the desktop.
3. After that run the executable file with full rights.
4. To delete, you have to select the item and press”Delete”.
5. To add a new component, click”New”.
6. In the”Name” field specify the name of the component.
7. At the line”Value” write the path to the file.
8. At item”Section” you have to choose registry hive, where the entry about autorun will be created.
9. Next you have to specify the priority”Normal”.

Starter
Windows 7 Autorun allows you to configure programs to start automatically during OS startup. If you have a large number of applications in the autorun, startup time is greatly increased. If your computer has low-powered hardware, it is better to periodically clear the autoloader folder of unnecessary items.