Many useful software’s come as standalone software which means that you do not need to install them to make use of those programs, usually these files are executables (exe) which can run by double clicking on them.

I use a variety of such software’s and have often felt the need to have them run automatically run when Windows starts up. Unfortunately most of them do not have options to make themselves run on startup.

This small trick allows you to add such programs to the Windows Startup so that you do not have to start it manually every time. The trick requires you to manually add the programs to the startup. Below is a detailed instruction on how to do this.

Open a Explorer window and navigate to the following folder C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersStart MenuProgramsStartup, replace C: with the drive where Windows is installed.

This folder contains the items that are scheduled to be launched on Windows Startup, to add your program here you need to create a new shortcut to the program. To create a shortcut click right click any where in the folder and select new shortcut.

Once the new shortcut windows pops up click on browse and select the application executable you want to add to startup.

Once you have selected the appropriate file click on next and give a relevant name to it and click on Finish. That’s it the next time you boot up your windows your selected application will automatically startup.

To disable the application from loading up at windows startup you simply need to delete the shortcut that you created.

Let me know if you found this useful, your comments are always welcome.