Control "sequence" of startup programs in Windows

How can I control the order of startup programs in Windows? without any need of 3rd Party app. Upon searching, I came up with this article from HowToGeek.com which suggests 2 ways to do it, either using an app called WinPatrol (which I am not willing to use) or using a custom batch script.

While I find the "batch script" way more appropriate for my needs I have doubt in doing that as follows.

• Since the startup programs in Windows usually have registry entries mentioning that they're supposed to be run at starting of Windows.
• Having same apps called using start command of Windows (as mentioned in How-To Geek article) would launch that app twice?

I may not be precise in elaborating my question, but I want a way to control the sequence of my existing startup programs. And I understand the risks involved in changing startup order, especially with Antivirus and other necessary apps.

You can do it using Windows Task Scheduler:

Create a task with boot initialization trigger for each application that you want(the task will start the program/service that you want) and add a specific delay(such as 20s, 25s, 30s...) timer on initialization for each one.

Here you can see an example about creating a task on task scheduler.

In order to adjust the order of programs in the registry, you will need to remove them from this registry path (deleting the entries) and replace the registry start for the scheduler start method.

I hope this could solve your problem. Good look, Have fun :D

This is the method I use:

1. Go to: %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

   • Startup directory is also under Start > All Programs
   • You can also use Win+r and type shell:startup

2. Create a shortcut of the .exe to launch at startup, then cut/paste it into Startup

3. Rename in the order you want:

   1_name
   2_name
   3_name
   

4. Reboot