Launch Window on Windows startup

Question

I want that my application (a WPF Window) is launched on Windows startup. I tried different solutions, but no one seems to work. What i have to write in my code to do this?

I tried to write a key registry: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run — Nick, Jun 16 '12 at 16:25
And do you have any logging? In any case, what do you store in the registry key? That solution should work. — Marcel N., Jun 16 '12 at 16:27
Yes, I hav to log, this is my code: `RegistryKey app = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", true); app.SetValue("timer", AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory);` — Nick, Jun 16 '12 at 16:29
BaseDirectory? You also need to include the executable you wish to start. BaseDirectory just returns the directory, it does not include the exe itself. — Christophe Geers, Jun 16 '12 at 16:30

Christophe Geers · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-16T16:36:31.343

19

You are correct when you say that you must add a key to the registry.

Add a key to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

if you want to start the application for the current user.

Or:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

If you want to start it for all users.

For example, starting the application for the current user:

var path = @"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run";
RegistryKey key = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(path, true);
key.SetValue("MyApplication", Application.ExecutablePath.ToString());

Just replace the line second line with

RegistryKey key = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(path, true);

if you want to automatically start the application for all users on Windows startup.

Just remove the registry value if you no longer want to start the application automatically.

As such:

var path = @"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run";
RegistryKey key = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(path, true);
key.DeleteValue("MyApplication", false);

This sample code was tested for a WinForms app. If you need to determine the path to the executable for a WPF app, then give the following a try.

string path = System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location;

Just replace "Application.ExecutablePath.ToString()" with the path to your executable.

edited Jun 16 '12 at 16:36

answered Jun 16 '12 at 16:29

Christophe Geers

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[Application](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.application_members(v=vs.90)) has not ExecutablePath. – Nick Jun 16 '12 at 16:33
This sample code is for a Windows Forms application. You need to get the path to the executable in a different manner for WPF apps. – Christophe Geers Jun 16 '12 at 16:34
It works! If I want to remove this behavior, have I to remove the key? Could you show me how? – Nick Jun 16 '12 at 16:48
Idd, you only have to remove the key. I've already included this in my answer. – Christophe Geers Jun 16 '12 at 16:53
3

Where does this code needs to be written for a WPF application? – shubhi1910 Feb 23 '15 at 10:39

Launch Window on Windows startup

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