Start Up Application

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.NET3.5

Hey to those interested,

So I want to create an application that once published, and thereby creating a setup file, to have it automatically startup when windows starts for any user. Is there a specific way of doing this?

I'm a bit unsure of how to create the code or how the installer will make sure the program runs on startup and create a system tray icon.

One of the methods that I have seen is by creating a registry entry like below, and by looking at the MSDN forums, on creation of a system service, but was confused.

Dim oReg As RegistryKey = Registry.CurrentUser
  Dim oKey as RegistryKey = oReg.OpenSubKey("Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run", True)
  oKey.SetValue("MyVBApp", cPGM)

Once the program is written is there a specific way of publishing or will it be the same?

Visual Studio 2008 Express, C# 3.5..........

Posted 19-Apr-11 22:32pm

codenameyash

Updated 19-Apr-11 22:35pm

walterhevedeich

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 20-Apr-11 15:10pm

Reasonable question, but you should have specify things more clearly. (My 4.) However, I put my answer the way you can use it in all cases.
--SA

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov · Answer 1 · 2011-04-20T09:09:00

The registry location you're trying to use may be not what you want.
You're confused, because even in your Question you did not describe what exactly event should trigger the start of your application.

Not to worry. Consider the following:

First, you can consider creation of Windows Service. This is the ultimate approach: its process is started on system start-up and it keep running when the user's log in/out. The Service process can detect different events in the system and act appropriately. This solution needs essential effort though, especially in debugging. Debugging is still quite possible but needs some learning and extra work.

The simplest (and perhaps the least powerful) option is adding a LNK file to the system Start Menu in the item "Startup" per user. One problem is tracking this change when a new user is added. You can also use the menu item which works for all users. Please see the note made by Kim below (Kim, than you very much for this useful comment.)

Finally, here is my "secret weapon": Sysinternals application "AutoRuns". I used it as an ultimate reference for the information on the topic. Go to Sysinternals Web page, download Sysinternals Suit: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb842062[^]. You can download separate utilities (see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb545027[^]), but I recommend all of it — must-have for all developers. Unpack and run AutoRuns, look at all the sections and help. You will find all possible points where your application can be loaded automatically. You can also automatically jump from an AutoRuns item to a corresponding Registry item with RegEdit. Enjoy!

—SA

Kim Togo · Answer 2 · 2011-04-19T23:14:00

Take a look at NotifyIcon[^]

Under Visual Studio 2008, open your Form in the Designer and drag & drop a NotifyIcon.
Remember to give NotifyIcon a icon, text and call Visible = true

this.notifyIcon.Icon = Properties.Resources.MyIcon;
this.notifyIcon.Text = Properties.Resources.MyText;
this.notifyIcon.Visible = true;

For the autorun. Try to start the program "msconfig" and click tab "Startup" it gives a good hint on how other programs do.

You can also put a link in "Start Menu\Programs\Startup" folder to your program.

Start Up Application

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