program starting but not in my Start Folder !?

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  1. Posts : 245
    windows 10
       #1

    program starting but not in my Start Folder !?


    Occasionally I see a program running on my PC that is not in my Windows Start Folder and I did not start it myself!
    It's a program I did install, so it's not malware, but I don't want it to run by itself unless I start it.

    How can I track down from where in Windows this is being started and prevent this program from automatically starting upon bootup?

    BTW, there is no OPTION checkbox such as: START WITH WINDOWS .

    Thanks,
    Dan
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #2

    Use SysInternals Process Explorer, which you can download from microsoft.com. Usually programs that run at start have a associated Task to run them, service or in the Start or StartOnce folder in the Registry under HKCU.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 245
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    bro67 said:
    Use SysInternals Process Explorer, which you can download from microsoft.com. Usually programs that run at start have a associated Task to run them, service or in the Start or StartOnce folder in the Registry under HKCU.
    Are you saying that PROCESS EXPLORER will name my program and the task (or whatever) that kicked it off?
    Thanks,
    Dan
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,272
    Win10
       #4

    You can also use Autoruns by Sysinternals to track down where that program is being started (have a look at "Help" in the program to see what the program does).

    nb: In case you are not familiar with the program;

    In the Options, use Hide Microsoft Entries, to make the list of entries easier to view.

    If you don't want any listed program to run at start up, try and disable it by removing the Check Mark next to it but "do not delete" the entry, that way you can reverse your action by putting the Check Mark back in.

    As with other System Utilities, create a System Restore point as a bare minimum ( or a System Image to be safer still ) in case your actions break Windows.

    Autoruns for Windows - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 245
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    das10 said:
    You can also use Autoruns by Sysinternals to track down where that program is being started (have a look at "Help" in the program to see what the program does).

    nb: In case you are not familiar with the program;

    In the Options, use Hide Microsoft Entries, to make the list of entries easier to view.

    If you don't want any listed program to run at start up, try and disable it by removing the Check Mark next to it but "do not delete" the entry, that way you can reverse your action by putting the Check Mark back in.

    As with other System Utilities, create a System Restore point as a bare minimum ( or a System Image to be safer still ) in case your actions break Windows.

    Autoruns for Windows - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs
    Thanks for the tip, but it's easy enough to just cancel the program each time (or uninstall it if the program benefit is minimal) than take a chance using Autoruns which you say may "break" Windows.
    Dan
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,789
    22H2 64 Bit Pro
       #6

    What is the name of the program? Maybe someone else uses it or has used it and would know where to look.

    If you don't want to use utilities then you might need to look hard.

    See:

    https://www.ghacks.net/2016/06/04/wi...tup-locations/
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 580
    Windows 10 Home
       #7

    Autoruns is actually quite useful. It displays everything that can run automatically and allows you to disable or delete items as you wish. You will be surprised what is loading and running behind your back.

    Autoruns for Windows - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs

    Ben
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 245
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Callender said:
    What is the name of the program? Maybe someone else uses it or has used it and would know where to look.
    If you don't want to use utilities then you might need to look hard.
    See:
    https://www.ghacks.net/2016/06/04/wi...tup-locations/
    Great link - thanks for that info. I have no problem using utilities and I'll be looking into Autoruns previously mentioned. The program that prompted my original question was Autorun Organizer (though similar in name, different from Autoruns). I'm not even sure how useful this utility is so I may just uninstall it if I cannot control its startup.
    Thanks again,
    Dan
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 245
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Ben Myers said:
    Autoruns is actually quite useful. It displays everything that can run automatically and allows you to disable or delete items as you wish. You will be surprised what is loading and running behind your back.

    Autoruns for Windows - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs

    Ben
    Actually, I've had Autoruns installed for years but have only on occasion investigated its powers, so thanks for reminding me of its capabilities.
    Dan
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6,789
    22H2 64 Bit Pro
       #10

    Okay I've used Autorun Organizer before and I don't think that you can easily disable it. Maybe you could just delete the task?

    Which windows/application services can safely run on Delayed Start? - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computer


 

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