Approving startup programs

[HAL]

Some 3rd party programs will not automatically run at startup because
they require admin access (I get an icon in tray called Blocked startup
programs). How do I approve those for auto-startup? It's really annoying
that I seem not to be able to change it.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Hal

Which version of Vista are you using?
If you have Business or Ultimate, you can use the Security Policy snap-in to
tweak UAC.

However, this can be dangerous. Your best strategy would be to simply use
shortcuts, placed in a convenient location, to manually start those
applications.

 

[HAL]

Hal

Which version of Vista are you using?
If you have Business or Ultimate, you can use the Security Policy
snap-in to tweak UAC.

However, this can be dangerous. Your best strategy would be to simply
use shortcuts, placed in a convenient location, to manually start those
applications.

I use Vista Business. And no, this won't do any good as I like to remote
control my home computer some times, and I cannot risk that it reboots
and don't auto-start those programs. I find it strange that somehow I
cannot "approve" applications for startup. How do some apps get approved
and some not. Am I sending anything to Microsoft when I try this?

You know, you suddenly feel that it's not your own computer anymore.

 

[Alias]

I use Vista Business. And no, this won't do any good as I like to remote
control my home computer some times, and I cannot risk that it reboots
and don't auto-start those programs. I find it strange that somehow I
cannot "approve" applications for startup. How do some apps get approved
and some not. Am I sending anything to Microsoft when I try this?

You know, you suddenly feel that it's not your own computer anymore.

It isn't. Remember, you don't own the software, you have a license to
use it at MS' pleasure, not yours. Personally, I think this is a scam
and one that most large software companies have bought into.

If you want the control back, check out Ubuntu:

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Get version 6.06. You can order the CD free and they will even pay the
postage!

It's free, can be installed on as many computers as you like, needs no
anti virus programs or other anti malware programs to update daily, etc.

It's also very user friendly.

Alias

 

[Gordon Keenan]

You know, you suddenly feel that it's not your own computer anymore.

It isn't. Remember, you don't own the software, you have a license to use
it at MS' pleasure, not yours. Personally, I think this is a scam and one
that most large software companies have bought into.

If you want the control back, check out Ubuntu:

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Get version 6.06. You can order the CD free and they will even pay the
postage!

It's free, can be installed on as many computers as you like, needs no
anti virus programs or other anti malware programs to update daily, etc.

It's also very user friendly.

Alias

The problem with the stock/standard reply about anyone who prefers Linux is
that people are using a Microsoft operating system or application for their
business, and who's fault is it that Microsoft managed to get in their first
and still manages to remain the most popular operating system?

So, the user orders up Linux, installs it and then what? If they are on
their own and don't need to "conform" to the MS standard then that's fine,
but what about the people who need remote working? What about the people who
have a particular piece of software that only works under windows?

Linux is still too behind and lacks any uniformity for the "Average User" to
deal with.

Use what you feel happy with, use what you need to use, and continue to moan
and bleat about about MS, Apple, Novell etc etc... it's just human nature!

 

[Alias]

The problem with the stock/standard reply about anyone who prefers Linux
is that people are using a Microsoft operating system or application for
their business, and who's fault is it that Microsoft managed to get in
their first and still manages to remain the most popular operating system?

They can thank piracy and Windows is becoming less popular. Myself, for
example. I never thought I would use anything but Windows until MS
tricked me into downloading WGA(N), disguising it as a "critical" update.

So, the user orders up Linux, installs it and then what? If they are on
their own and don't need to "conform" to the MS standard then that's
fine, but what about the people who need remote working? What about the
people who have a particular piece of software that only works under
windows?

Linux is still too behind and lacks any uniformity for the "Average
User" to deal with.

Use what you feel happy with, use what you need to use, and continue to
moan and bleat about about MS, Apple, Novell etc etc... it's just human
nature!

LOL! You're wrong. It is user friendly, Windows programs can be run in
WINE and you can get direct support on IRC, not like some snooty MS MVP
who tells you Google is your friend. I can see you've never installed
Ubuntu. Try it and then get back to us.

Alias

 

[Gordon Keenan]

The problem with the stock/standard reply about anyone who prefers Linux

They can thank piracy and Windows is becoming less popular. Myself, for
example. I never thought I would use anything but Windows until MS tricked
me into downloading WGA(N), disguising it as a "critical" update.

C'mon now, are you seriously saying that until that point everythign was
hunkydory and you had no other issues until then?
Microsoft are in the business of SELLING A PRODUCT, they are not in the
business of giving things away for free, but... they have done it in a way
that was so predictable that I just laugh when people are moaning about how
they are protecting their operating systems and software.

They released DOS, WINDOWS etc, KNOWING (in my mind) that if you get
software out to people, who would then copy it and give it to friends and
family, what better way to get a userbase used to yoru product. As the years
rolled on, MS continued to invest their cash in improving their (buggy?
unfinished/ongoing) software until it got to a stage they KNEW they world
was tied in, business and personal wise people all used the same thing. When
this was established, what beter way of starting to get some serious money
in than to protect the product.
YOU may not like it, and I have to be honest and say that the cost of the
operating systems is WAY OVERPRICED in my mind, BUT, I can understand that
they are trying to make money, as a business thats the only reason the
exist, not to make you or I happy!

LOL! You're wrong. It is user friendly, Windows programs can be run in
WINE and you can get direct support on IRC, not like some snooty MS MVP
who tells you Google is your friend. I can see you've never installed
Ubuntu. Try it and then get back to us.

Alias

I am not wrong.
I have tried out many versions of Linux to see if I could actually find a
reason to swap systems around, and it left me cold.
Each version of Linux you load up looks different.
The "Average User" needs to have something that conforms to a certain
standard look and feel, though Microsoft do seem to be chopping and changing
this around these days and IT IS causing a lot of problems for users and
also for people dealing with frontline technical support.
Why would I want to run Windows programs in WINE? Why not just bypass the
kludge and use the operating system they are designed for?
Bottom line for me is that you have to take on board everyone's views and
needs, and I do respect and appreciate your feelings towards the Linux
platform.
Why not put forward your points for Linux to see if other people on here
would seriously think of moving from Vista or XP to it?
As it is, I'm now having to install and learn Vista because a year down the
line my clients will have it, and I make money from them... I would not make
a penny if they had Linux!!!
Pretty obvious really why there is a market for MS apps then is it not?
Enjoy using what you use and let others experience your delights, but we all
differ and that's all part of the fun!

Gordon

 

[Alias]

C'mon now, are you seriously saying that until that point everythign was
hunkydory and you had no other issues until then?

Once XP came out, no, not really.

Microsoft are in the business of SELLING A PRODUCT, they are not in the
business of giving things away for free, but... they have done it in a
way that was so predictable that I just laugh when people are moaning
about how they are protecting their operating systems and software.

If your customers are not happy, you won't sell your product.

They released DOS, WINDOWS etc, KNOWING (in my mind) that if you get
software out to people, who would then copy it and give it to friends
and family, what better way to get a userbase used to yoru product. As
the years rolled on, MS continued to invest their cash in improving
their (buggy? unfinished/ongoing) software until it got to a stage they
KNEW they world was tied in, business and personal wise people all used
the same thing. When this was established, what beter way of starting to
get some serious money in than to protect the product.

They made enough serious money before XP to make their CEO the richest
man in the world.

YOU may not like it, and I have to be honest and say that the cost of
the operating systems is WAY OVERPRICED in my mind, BUT, I can
understand that they are trying to make money, as a business thats the
only reason the exist, not to make you or I happy!

If they don't exist to make their customers happy (you and I), they
eventually will go out of business.

I am not wrong.
I have tried out many versions of Linux to see if I could actually find
a reason to swap systems around, and it left me cold.

Have you tried Ubuntu 6.06? They have had three build updates in the
last couple of months. Although their web site says that build 6.10 is
the latest, 6.06 has Long Term Support. Build 7.04 will be out in May I
think.

Each version of Linux you load up looks different.

Try Ubuntu.

The "Average User" needs to have something that conforms to a certain
standard look and feel,

I find Ubuntu to be very similar to Windows in its look and feel. Did
you know that Ubuntu can read NTFS drives now, which is convenient for a
dual boot with XP?

though Microsoft do seem to be chopping and
changing this around these days and IT IS causing a lot of problems for
users and also for people dealing with frontline technical support.
Why would I want to run Windows programs in WINE? Why not just bypass
the kludge and use the operating system they are designed for?

Dual boot, although lately the only time I go into Windows XP is to
update the AV, XP and the anti malware apps. In my case, there are no
programs except the fax (and that's because I haven't bought a non
winmodem yet) for which I need Windows.

Bottom line for me is that you have to take on board everyone's views
and needs, and I do respect and appreciate your feelings towards the
Linux platform.

Thanks, I appreciate that.

Why not put forward your points for Linux to see if other people on here
would seriously think of moving from Vista or XP to it?

So far, a few already have.

As it is, I'm now having to install and learn Vista because a year down
the line my clients will have it, and I make money from them... I would
not make a penny if they had Linux!!!

LOL! You obviously haven't looked at Linux much. Novell, Read Hat and
the boys make money *supporting* the OS. That said, as a comp. tech,
yes, you need to learn Vista and you need to buy it.

Pretty obvious really why there is a market for MS apps then is it not?
Enjoy using what you use and let others experience your delights, but we
all differ and that's all part of the fun!

Gordon

I may set up one Vista machine for games. The rest will dual boot with
XP and Ubuntu. Once I learn Ubuntu as well as I know XP, I may ditch XP
altogether.

Alias

 

[HAL]

This went out of hand. If I am not satisfied with Vista I will rather go
back to XP.

Anyways. Do anybody know how programs get approved to startup auto?

Please no more Linux talk. This is a microsoft newsgroup.

 

[Alias]

This went out of hand. If I am not satisfied with Vista I will rather go
back to XP.

Suit yourself.

Anyways. Do anybody know how programs get approved to startup auto?

The only people who should be installing Vista are repair techs and
hobbyists. It isn't ready for prime time yet.

Please no more Linux talk. This is a microsoft newsgroup.

Please no more attempts at censorship.

Alias

 

[HAL]

please go away alias

 

[Gordon Keenan]

This went out of hand. If I am not satisfied with Vista I will rather go
back to XP.

Anyways. Do anybody know how programs get approved to startup auto?

Please no more Linux talk. This is a microsoft newsgroup.

Hi Hal,

The discussion was not so much about Linux, more a case of going over
things.
Certainly it moved off topic, but hey it adds variety at times

Have you tried to disable the UAC option to see if that helps?

 

[Bill Pomeroy]

HAL,
I am having the same problem with DYNDNS Update, a program that I need to
run at startup. Windows Defender blocks it and there seems to be no way to
enable it in Windows Defender. If I want a program to run at startup, I
should be able to. There must be some way to tell Windows Defender to not
block a program.
BillP

 

[Gordon Keenan]

Some 3rd party programs will not automatically run at startup because they
require admin access (I get an icon in tray called Blocked startup
programs). How do I approve those for auto-startup? It's really annoying
that I seem not to be able to change it.

Reading the in-built HELP with Vista....

Run or remove blocked startup programs

User Account Control prevents programs that require permission or an
administrator password from running automatically when Windows starts. If a
program is blocked, you'll see a message in the notification area that says
some startup programs need permission to run. You can run a blocked program,
remove blocked programs from startup, or ignore the notification.

To run a blocked program
Right-click the Blocked startup programs icon in the notification area.

Click Run blocked program, and then click the name of the program you want
to run. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation,
type the password or provide confirmation.

Note
You'll need to repeat these steps each time you want to run the program
after starting Windows.

To remove a blocked program from startup
You can remove a blocked program from startup so that it won't try to run
automatically each time you start Windows. Removing the program from startup
won't remove the program from your computer.

Right-click the Blocked startup programs icon in the notification area.

Click Show or remove blocked startup programs.

Notes
If a program that you want to run at startup is being blocked, check the
publisher's website to see if there is an updated version of the program
available that doesn't require permission or an administrator password to
run.

Removing a program from startup might affect other users of this computer.

Bottom line - your stuffed until a Vista specific update is released.

 

[Gordon Keenan]

HAL,
I am having the same problem with DYNDNS Update, a program that I need to
run at startup. Windows Defender blocks it and there seems to be no way to
enable it in Windows Defender. If I want a program to run at startup, I
should be able to. There must be some way to tell Windows Defender to not
block a program.
BillP

See the answer to HAL I posted just before this.

Bottom line woudl appear to be we are stuffed.

TO REPEAT:

Run or remove blocked startup programs

User Account Control prevents programs that require permission or an
administrator password from running automatically when Windows starts. If a
program is blocked, you'll see a message in the notification area that says
some startup programs need permission to run. You can run a blocked program,
remove blocked programs from startup, or ignore the notification.

To run a blocked program
Right-click the Blocked startup programs icon in the notification area.

Click Run blocked program, and then click the name of the program you want
to run. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation,
type the password or provide confirmation.

Note
You'll need to repeat these steps each time you want to run the program
after starting Windows.

To remove a blocked program from startup
You can remove a blocked program from startup so that it won't try to run
automatically each time you start Windows. Removing the program from startup
won't remove the program from your computer.

Right-click the Blocked startup programs icon in the notification area.

Click Show or remove blocked startup programs.

Notes
If a program that you want to run at startup is being blocked, check the
publisher's website to see if there is an updated version of the program
available that doesn't require permission or an administrator password to
run.

Removing a program from startup might affect other users of this computer.

 

[Alias]

please go away alias

No. If you have self control, don't read my posts. If you don't have
self control, learn how to filter out my messages.

Alias

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

Ronnie Vernon MVP wrote:

I use Vista Business. And no, this won't do any good as I like to remote
control my home computer some times,

Let's hope you're the only one who's enjoing doing that...

and I cannot risk that it reboots and don't auto-start those programs.

What I might try there, is to set a Task to launch them, perhaps on
startup or login. UAC should catch that too, but may not.

I find it strange that somehow I cannot "approve" applications for startup.

If you could, so could malware, I guess.

How do some apps get approved and some not.

It depends whether they try to do things that have effects beyond your
user profile, and thus require admin rights. Also, post-Vista apps
that are aware of a need for admin access can flag themselves as
requiring this; that may make it easier to manage, I dunno.

For example, I like to run a utility in the SysTray that displays my
hard drive temperature in real time, but to do that it has to talk
S.M.A.R.T. to the HD, which requires admin rights. So I can no longer
start it via the startup axis, and have to launch it manually.

You know, you suddenly feel that it's not your own computer anymore.

For many folks, it hasn't been their computer for a while - NT was
designed to be a network chew toy, and treated the Internet as if it
was big friendly network. So any entity out there could try probing
LSASS, RPC, hidden admin shares etc. and get traction, and once in,
they could do what they like, invisibly.

Folks who see these Vista alerts are usually those who aren't aware
that this could have been happening to them all the time. It's like
saying "but why do I have to close the door to the house and carry
keys around? I liked it so much better when I could just walk in"

--------------- ---- --- -- - - - -

Saws are too hard to use.
Be easier to use!

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Hal

The problem is in the software that is demanding that it must be run from
within an administrator account with unlimited permissions. This leaves the
system wide open to attacks from malware that can piggy-back into the system
with these programs. Most of this software does not really need this type of
unlimited access to the core of the system. Developers have known this was
coming for years and Microsoft has been giving all developers the access and
resources to the code changes that are needed to make their programs
compatible. If these programs, in the start-up folder were compliant, you
would not need to give them approval to run.

We are all painfully aware of the security problems with Windows. UAC,
Bitlocker, a Built in Firewall, and other Windows components is the
beginning of a more aggressive effort to try and resolve some of these
problems. Many people will be inconvenienced by these efforts, but the hope
is that these people will be putting pressure on developers to make their
products compliant which will result in us all being more secure.

Computing today is a lot different than it was twenty years ago.
Communications is such that it only takes one compromised system to
broadcast an infection to tens of thousands of other unsecure systems. MVP
Chris Quirke, who is posting in this thread, is an expert on the insidious
paths that malware can use to infect a system, pay attention to some of the
things he has to say on this subject.

 

[HAL]

Hal

The problem is in the software that is demanding that it must be run
from within an administrator account with unlimited permissions. This
leaves the system wide open to attacks from malware that can piggy-back
into the system with these programs. Most of this software does not
really need this type of unlimited access to the core of the system.
Developers have known this was coming for years and Microsoft has been
giving all developers the access and resources to the code changes that
are needed to make their programs compatible. If these programs, in the
start-up folder were compliant, you would not need to give them approval
to run.

Ron, thank you very much for your text. Can you please give me an URL so
I can give it to the freeware developer that program the needed
software? I hope it does not require any license or certificate to make
it run at startup, as he cannot affort that.

 

[HAL]

Ron, thank you very much for your text. Can you please give me an URL so
I can give it to the freeware developer that program the needed
software? I hope it does not require any license or certificate to make
it run at startup, as he cannot affort that.

a little more info: the program is a network application that give a
virtual ip at a virtual network.