Autostart

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Autostart is the usual Windows term for the automatic start of programs when the system is booted or when logging in. Such a program does not have to be started by a user, but starts automatically without their intervention. Autorun , on the other hand, is the function of operating systems to start a specific action when inserting or plugging in removable data carriers.

The case word is made up of the words automatic and start .

Microsoft Windows

When the system is started (or more precisely: after the user logs in ), all files in the Start menu folder Autostart are automatically executed. In the real multi-user systems Windows NT , Windows 2000 , Windows XP and the newer Windows versions, there are at least two autostart folders: once for each user who he can manage himself and once for all users ( all users ) who are in Usually only administrators of the system or the system itself (e.g. within a program installation) can manage it. Usually there are only shortcuts in this folder, but all other files can also be executed or opened. There are also places that are deeply rooted in the operating system and that also have the function of autostart. An example of this are certain positions in the registry , such as the keys RUNor RUNONCE.

All programs that are in the following registry keys are loaded:

  • HKLM(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE)\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce (only once, then the key is deleted)
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices (as a system service, only possible with Windows systems based on NT)
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce (once only)

The commands in the paths of these keys are started for all users. Safe mode is an exception; normally none of these keys are taken into account here.

  • HKCU(HKEY_CURRENT_USER)\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce (only once, then the key is deleted)
  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices (as a system service, only possible with Windows systems based on NT)
  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce (once only)

The commands in the paths of these keys are only started for the current user. Safe mode is an exception.

Furthermore, it is possible that processes HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\install themselves as a service ( ) and also start in the background every time the system starts, but usually remain hidden from the user. Almost all viruses and malicious programs write themselves into the registry in one of these keys or install themselves as a service to ensure that they are executed every time the system starts.

The automatic start of programs when booting can be prevented under Microsoft Windows by holding the Shift key during the boot process. With older Windows versions, the autostart is also possible in the WIN.INIfile through the entries load=or run=.

Special software for editing autostart entries usually offers an automatic backup. There are a number of free and paid software out there that can do this job. Starting with Windows 8, such additional software could be unnecessary for some users. The operating system itself offers a new and more user-friendly option for managing the autostart entries.

Autostart entries can be edited with the msconfig program , a Microsoft Windows system tool. The free Autoruns program from Windows Sysinternals can also deactivate the programs that are (usually automatically) entered in the autostart, thereby accelerating the boot process. Compared to msconfig, Autoruns offers more extensive configuration options.

MS-DOS

Under MS-DOS , the batch file serves AUTOEXEC.BAT this purpose. All commands that are entered here are automatically executed when booting.

Unix / Linux

Under Unix-like operating systems (e.g. Linux ), the execution of start scripts depends on the distribution used and the preferences of the administrator . It is common to start services via runlevels , which in turn call others. Such recursions make it possible to put a system into a desired state fully automatically without having to enter commands at runtime. These start scripts are usually /etcstored in separate directories within and executed or terminated depending on the required runlevel. User-specific autostart scripts can be started from the login shell or the window manager, for example. The classic Unix shells , which are operated via the command line, each know a specific file name such as .profileor .cshrc, under which they search for a shell script file in the user directory of the respective user . If the file exists when the shell starts, it will be executed.

macOS

Under macOS up to version 10.3, so-called StartUp Items were used to fulfill the purpose of an autostart. From version 10.4. which Launch Services for this charge.

AmigaOS

With AmigaOS all programs are executed in the folder WBStartup . The STARTPRI tool type defines the order. There are also those user-startupfor programs without a pictogram .

CP / M

With CP / M 2.2, there is a default command buffer , a single command line that runs at startup. If several commands are to be executed, this can be done using the SUBMITcommand, e.g. B. SUBMIT.COM AUTOEXEC.SUB, whereby the name of the autostart file can be freely selected within the framework of the CP / M file name conventions.

With the CP / M 3 or CP / M Plus there is a autoexec.batcorresponding file PROFILE.SUBthat is executed when the system starts.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Autostart under Windows 8 videonerd.de
  2. ↑ CP / M Plus Operating System Command Summary. (PDF) Digital Research, March 1984, p. 60 (PDF page 64) , accessed on March 11, 2016 (English).