Windows Startup Files

Windows95 has several locations from which programs can be run during the Windows95 startup procedure

• config.sys (located in the root directory)
• autoexec.bat (located in the root directory)
• win.ini (located in the windows directory)
• system.ini (located in the windows directory)
• startup.bat (located in the windows directory)
• startup folder (located via the Start button and programs folder)
• the registry

config.sys if present, can be used to startup device drivers in the form of .sys files and executable programs in the form of .exe and .com files. To stop a program from running at startup place a rem command at the beginning of the line

autoexec.bat if present, can be used to startup executable programs in the form of .exe and .com files and batch / script files which are usually stored with a .bat extension. To stop a program from running at startup place a rem command at the beginning of the line

win.ini can be used to startup executable programs in the form of .exe and .com files which are located in the line beginning with either load= or run= To stop a program from running at startup place a semi-colon at the beginning of the line or if more than one program is located on the line seperated by semi-colons then delete the program and one semi-colon

system.ini can be used to startup device drivers in the form of .drv files

startup.bat if present, seems to be a secret way to startup executable programs in the form of .exe and .com files and batch / script files which are usually stored with a .bat extension. To stop a program from running at startup place a rem command at the beginning of the line

any program placed in the startup folder will be run at startup time. To stop a program from running drag it from the startup folder and drop it elsewhere such as on the desktop

to access the locations in the registry where startup files can be placed:

• Run regedit.exe which is located in the Windows directory
• double click on the following directories within the left-hand pane
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  • SOFTWARE
  • Microsoft
  • Windows
  • CurrentVersion
  • Run
  all programs to be run are shown in the right-hand pane. To stop a program from running at startup, double-click it in the right-hand pane and place a rem command at the beginning of the line

another form of program known as a service can be run at startup time. To access the locations in the registry where service files can be placed:

• Run regedit.exe which is located in the Windows directory
• double click on the following directories within the left-hand pane
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  • SOFTWARE
  • Microsoft
  • Windows
  • CurrentVersion
  • RunServices
  all services to be run are shown in the right-hand pane. To stop a service from running at startup, double-click it in the right-hand pane and place a rem command at the beginning of the line