How can I add an item to the Startup list in MSConfig?

NB: a faster way would be to add a link to the file in C:\Users(User-Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Regarding your question: you can add the path to the application in the windows registry:

1) hit Start

2) type regedit and press enter

3) go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

4) In the right pane of Run, right click on a blank spot and add a new key, containing the path to your application

Detailed guide here.


This page has the steps mentioned in detail. This is by far the best method of adding a program to startup because you also get the option to disable it from msconfig by a simple checkbox uncheck

Source: http://nofusswintricks.blogspot.in/2011/12/how-to-add-program-to-windows-startup.html

Step 1:

Start regedit:

Press “Win + R” or Start button > Run

Step 2:

To run only for current user:

In regedit, go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

To run for all users, go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Step 3:

Right Click > New > String Value

and then type name of the program e.g.: “Sticky Notes”

Right Click > Modify

now enter the full path of the program e.g.:”C:\Windows\System32\StikyNot.exe”

Now your program should start the next time you restart your PC


You can add/remove an item to the Startup list in MSConfig with regedit :

On regedit you have several path :

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run (like Jess's answer)
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run only 64bits
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Unchecked elements on msconfig.exe, are here : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg

  • Remove Unchecked Items from MSConfig

And with windows folder : C:\Users\(User-Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup