How To Automatically Start Programs
in Windows XP and Vista
Scenario: You want certain programs/applications
to automatically open when you start up your Windows XP or Vista computer.
- Right click the start button.
- Select "Explorer".
- Windows Explorer will open and point to the start menu folder.
( usually - C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name Here\Start Menu )
- Click on the subfolder named "Programs".
- Click on the subfolder named "Startup".
- Place any shortcuts you like in that folder.
Windows will open those programs/applications automatically each
time you start your computer.
Shortcuts
Shortcuts are links (usually displayed with a small icon) which, allow launching a program without
the user having to directly locate and click on the program file. There are several different ways of creating a shortcut to a computer program.
Creating a Shortcut
Locate an object (i.e. file) for which you wish to create a shortcut in Windows Explorer
and right-click on the object to bring up the context menu. Click on "Create Shortcut."
Drag the shortcut to the "Startup" subfolder mentioned above and drop it.
Or, you can drag and drop the shortcut on your Desktop first and then
drag the shortcut to the "Startup" subfolder mentioned above and drop it.
Or, you can locate and right-click the object (file) for which you wish to create a shortcut
and then select "Send To".
Select "Desktop (Create Shortcut)".
Then select the shortcut on your Desktop and drag and drop the shortcut
into the "Startup" subfolder mentioned above.
To view the path (location) of an existing program
Right-click a shortcut icon and select "Properties".
|
