run app automatically upon reboot

Question

My XP PC runs a scheduled task to reboot automatically every night (shutdown.exe). I need a specific app to startup automatically upon reboot. My problem is that the app doesn’t start until I type the Windows password into the Windows login screen. Please advise what I can do in order to solve this problem, so that the app starts automatically upon reboot or suggest a way for my PC to log into Windows automatically

Answer 1

Run it as a service

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/137890

Run it as a script

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/gptext_assigncomputerstartupscripts.mspx?mfr=true

or you make it so you automatically log in

Run Prompt -> control userpasswords2 -> un-check users must enter a user name... -> click apply -> enter credentials -> click ok

Answer 2

You have a very fast and well described method here without using additional software.

Edit: Wrapped up method: (works for windows xp, vista and 7)

• Click Start, click Run, and type control userpasswords2

• Uncheck

  Users must enter a username and password to use this computer

• Click apply

• Enter the user name and password you wish to automatically log on with, and then click OK / OK.

Answer 3

If none of those methods work for you then you might like to look at TweakUI, part of the XP Power Toys from Microsoft. That allows you to set up auto-login credentials so the machine automatically logs in at reboot.