Changing load order of WindowsXP startup programs

[McBarker]

Is there a way, without using a 3rd party utility, to change the loading
order of startup programs? If not, can anyone recommend a utility which
will do it safely? I have an "always on" broadband Internet connection,
and my software firewall (Sygate) seems to be one of the last programs
to load on startup. Other stuff like Adobe Updater and my monitor
calibration program always load first. These days, with almost instant
virus infection on the Internet, I would like to make sure that my
firewall and antivirus are the first programs loaded. Any suggestions?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Depends on where the programs start from.

Execution Order for starting programs

With Windows XP, There are 13+ places that programs can start from and
they are executed in the following order:

Before Logon
1)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
2) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

After Logon
3)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup
4) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
5) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
6) WIN.INI [Windows] Load
7) WIN.INI [Windows] Run
8) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
9) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
10) C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
or %allusersprofile%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
11) C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name Here\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
or %homepath%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
12) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
13) As a Scheduled Task set to run at startup.

[[Startups in groups 6 to 11 all run at the same time (more or less).
However, the groups themselves are triggered in the order shown above. In
other words, the next group can begin launching while the previous group is
still loading its startups. Due to timing issues it is impossible to say
what order these items will finish loading, thus it is impossible to
predict the exact order of execution for individual startups. For instance,
you may notice two or more system tray icons changing position with each
boot - even when no changes have been made to the order.]]

[[The order of items within a group is not necessarily the final order, as
some programs take longer than others to load, and synchronous groups can
overlap each other.]]

Items in 10 and 11 execute alphanumerically. You can change the order in 10
and 11 by moving the items from 11 to 10. Also, you can rename the
shortcuts in 10 and/or 11.

For example; dfg.exe, fgh.exe and ghj.exe would start in that order. To
change the order rename to 1ghj.exe, 2dfg.exe and 3fgh.exe. They would then
start in that order.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[McBarker]

Thanks Wesley. That's exactly the information I was looking for. I
greatly appreciate you taking the time to go into so much detail. Again,
thanks.

Regards
McBarker

Depends on where the programs start from.

Execution Order for starting programs

With Windows XP, There are 13+ places that programs can start from and
they are executed in the following order:

Before Logon
1)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
2)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

After Logon
3)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup
4)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
5)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
6) WIN.INI [Windows] Load 7) WIN.INI [Windows] Run 8)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 9)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 10)
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
or %allusersprofile%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup 11) C:\Documents
and Settings\Your Name Here\Start Menu\Programs\Startup or
%homepath%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup 12)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
13) As a Scheduled Task set to run at startup.

[[Startups in groups 6 to 11 all run at the same time (more or less).
However, the groups themselves are triggered in the order shown
above. In other words, the next group can begin launching while the
previous group is still loading its startups. Due to timing issues it
is impossible to say what order these items will finish loading, thus
it is impossible to predict the exact order of execution for
individual startups. For instance, you may notice two or more system
tray icons changing position with each boot - even when no changes
have been made to the order.]]

[[The order of items within a group is not necessarily the final
order, as some programs take longer than others to load, and
synchronous groups can overlap each other.]]

Items in 10 and 11 execute alphanumerically. You can change the
order in 10 and 11 by moving the items from 11 to 10. Also, you can
rename the shortcuts in 10 and/or 11.

For example; dfg.exe, fgh.exe and ghj.exe would start in that order.
To change the order rename to 1ghj.exe, 2dfg.exe and 3fgh.exe. They
would then start in that order.


In

Is there a way, without using a 3rd party utility, to change the
loading order of startup programs? If not, can anyone recommend a
utility which will do it safely? I have an "always on" broadband
Internet connection, and my software firewall (Sygate) seems to be
one of the last programs to load on startup. Other stuff like Adobe
Updater and my monitor calibration program always load first. These
days, with almost instant virus infection on the Internet, I would
like to make sure that my firewall and antivirus are the first
programs loaded. Any suggestions?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks Wesley. That's exactly the information I was looking for. I
greatly appreciate you taking the time to go into so much detail. Again,
thanks.

Regards
McBarker

Depends on where the programs start from.

Execution Order for starting programs

With Windows XP, There are 13+ places that programs can start from and
they are executed in the following order:

Before Logon
1)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
2)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

After Logon
3)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup
4)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
5)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
6) WIN.INI [Windows] Load 7) WIN.INI [Windows] Run 8)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 9)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 10)
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
or %allusersprofile%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup 11) C:\Documents
and Settings\Your Name Here\Start Menu\Programs\Startup or
%homepath%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup 12)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
13) As a Scheduled Task set to run at startup.

[[Startups in groups 6 to 11 all run at the same time (more or less).
However, the groups themselves are triggered in the order shown
above. In other words, the next group can begin launching while the
previous group is still loading its startups. Due to timing issues it
is impossible to say what order these items will finish loading, thus
it is impossible to predict the exact order of execution for
individual startups. For instance, you may notice two or more system
tray icons changing position with each boot - even when no changes
have been made to the order.]]

[[The order of items within a group is not necessarily the final
order, as some programs take longer than others to load, and
synchronous groups can overlap each other.]]

Items in 10 and 11 execute alphanumerically. You can change the
order in 10 and 11 by moving the items from 11 to 10. Also, you can
rename the shortcuts in 10 and/or 11.

For example; dfg.exe, fgh.exe and ghj.exe would start in that order.
To change the order rename to 1ghj.exe, 2dfg.exe and 3fgh.exe. They
would then start in that order.


In

Is there a way, without using a 3rd party utility, to change the
loading order of startup programs? If not, can anyone recommend a
utility which will do it safely? I have an "always on" broadband
Internet connection, and my software firewall (Sygate) seems to be
one of the last programs to load on startup. Other stuff like Adobe
Updater and my monitor calibration program always load first. These
days, with almost instant virus infection on the Internet, I would
like to make sure that my firewall and antivirus are the first
programs loaded. Any suggestions?

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Additionally:

Usually firewall application load early as system service, and the GUI
appears after you login (obviously). During the logon time gap, I'd say your
system is protected. I ran a test yesterday using Sygate to test if the
outbound monitoring is working during logon (that is, even before the SMC
client loads) Yes, Sygate's service does monitor outbound traffic even
before the client loads.


--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

Thanks Wesley. That's exactly the information I was looking for. I greatly
appreciate you taking the time to go into so much detail. Again, thanks.

Regards
McBarker

Depends on where the programs start from.

Execution Order for starting programs

With Windows XP, There are 13+ places that programs can start from and
they are executed in the following order:

Before Logon
1)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
2)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

After Logon
3)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup
4)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
5)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
6) WIN.INI [Windows] Load 7) WIN.INI [Windows] Run 8)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 9)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 10)
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
or %allusersprofile%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup 11) C:\Documents
and Settings\Your Name Here\Start Menu\Programs\Startup or
%homepath%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup 12)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
13) As a Scheduled Task set to run at startup.

[[Startups in groups 6 to 11 all run at the same time (more or less).
However, the groups themselves are triggered in the order shown
above. In other words, the next group can begin launching while the
previous group is still loading its startups. Due to timing issues it
is impossible to say what order these items will finish loading, thus
it is impossible to predict the exact order of execution for
individual startups. For instance, you may notice two or more system
tray icons changing position with each boot - even when no changes
have been made to the order.]]

[[The order of items within a group is not necessarily the final
order, as some programs take longer than others to load, and
synchronous groups can overlap each other.]]

Items in 10 and 11 execute alphanumerically. You can change the
order in 10 and 11 by moving the items from 11 to 10. Also, you can
rename the shortcuts in 10 and/or 11.

For example; dfg.exe, fgh.exe and ghj.exe would start in that order.
To change the order rename to 1ghj.exe, 2dfg.exe and 3fgh.exe. They
would then start in that order.


In

Is there a way, without using a 3rd party utility, to change the
loading order of startup programs? If not, can anyone recommend a
utility which will do it safely? I have an "always on" broadband
Internet connection, and my software firewall (Sygate) seems to be
one of the last programs to load on startup. Other stuff like Adobe
Updater and my monitor calibration program always load first. These
days, with almost instant virus infection on the Internet, I would
like to make sure that my firewall and antivirus are the first
programs loaded. Any suggestions?

 

[McBarker]

Thanks Ramesh. That makes me feel a little more secure. These days, you
can't be too careful.

Regards
McBarker

Additionally:

Usually firewall application load early as system service, and the GUI
appears after you login (obviously). During the logon time gap, I'd
say your system is protected. I ran a test yesterday using Sygate to
test if the outbound monitoring is working during logon (that is,
even before the SMC client loads) Yes, Sygate's service does monitor
outbound traffic even before the client loads.

Thanks Wesley. That's exactly the information I was looking for. I
greatly appreciate you taking the time to go into so much detail.
Again, thanks. Regards
McBarker

Depends on where the programs start from.

Execution Order for starting programs

With Windows XP, There are 13+ places that programs can start from
and they are executed in the following order:

Before Logon
1)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
2)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

After Logon
3)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup
4)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
5)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
6) WIN.INI [Windows] Load 7) WIN.INI [Windows] Run 8)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 9)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 10)
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup or %allusersprofile%\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup 11) C:\Documents and Settings\Your
Name Here\Start Menu\Programs\Startup or %homepath%\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup 12)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
13) As a Scheduled Task set to run at startup. [[Startups in groups
6 to 11 all run at the same time (more or
less). However, the groups themselves are triggered in the order
shown above. In other words, the next group can begin launching
while the previous group is still loading its startups. Due to
timing issues it is impossible to say what order these items will
finish loading, thus it is impossible to predict the exact order of
execution for individual startups. For instance, you may notice two
or more system tray icons changing position with each boot - even
when no changes have been made to the order.]]

[[The order of items within a group is not necessarily the final
order, as some programs take longer than others to load, and
synchronous groups can overlap each other.]]

Items in 10 and 11 execute alphanumerically. You can change the
order in 10 and 11 by moving the items from 11 to 10. Also, you can
rename the shortcuts in 10 and/or 11.

For example; dfg.exe, fgh.exe and ghj.exe would start in that
order. To change the order rename to 1ghj.exe, 2dfg.exe and
3fgh.exe. They would then start in that order.


In McBarker <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Is there a way, without using a 3rd party utility, to change the
loading order of startup programs? If not, can anyone recommend a
utility which will do it safely? I have an "always on" broadband
Internet connection, and my software firewall (Sygate) seems to be
one of the last programs to load on startup. Other stuff like Adobe
Updater and my monitor calibration program always load first. These
days, with almost instant virus infection on the Internet, I would
like to make sure that my firewall and antivirus are the first
programs loaded. Any suggestions?

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome McBarker. BTW, if you wish to test if Sygate is monitoring
the inbound traffic during logon, try this site:

https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

BTW, I'd set IExplore.exe as the Winlogon Shell and test it.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

Thanks Ramesh. That makes me feel a little more secure. These days, you
can't be too careful.

Regards
McBarker

Additionally:

Usually firewall application load early as system service, and the GUI
appears after you login (obviously). During the logon time gap, I'd
say your system is protected. I ran a test yesterday using Sygate to
test if the outbound monitoring is working during logon (that is,
even before the SMC client loads) Yes, Sygate's service does monitor
outbound traffic even before the client loads.

Thanks Wesley. That's exactly the information I was looking for. I
greatly appreciate you taking the time to go into so much detail.
Again, thanks. Regards
McBarker

Wesley Vogel wrote:
Depends on where the programs start from.

Execution Order for starting programs

With Windows XP, There are 13+ places that programs can start from
and they are executed in the following order:

Before Logon
1)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
2)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

After Logon
3)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup
4)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
5)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
6) WIN.INI [Windows] Load 7) WIN.INI [Windows] Run 8)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 9)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 10)
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup or %allusersprofile%\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup 11) C:\Documents and Settings\Your
Name Here\Start Menu\Programs\Startup or %homepath%\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup 12)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
13) As a Scheduled Task set to run at startup. [[Startups in groups 6
to 11 all run at the same time (more or
less). However, the groups themselves are triggered in the order
shown above. In other words, the next group can begin launching
while the previous group is still loading its startups. Due to
timing issues it is impossible to say what order these items will
finish loading, thus it is impossible to predict the exact order of
execution for individual startups. For instance, you may notice two
or more system tray icons changing position with each boot - even
when no changes have been made to the order.]]

[[The order of items within a group is not necessarily the final
order, as some programs take longer than others to load, and
synchronous groups can overlap each other.]]

Items in 10 and 11 execute alphanumerically. You can change the
order in 10 and 11 by moving the items from 11 to 10. Also, you can
rename the shortcuts in 10 and/or 11.

For example; dfg.exe, fgh.exe and ghj.exe would start in that
order. To change the order rename to 1ghj.exe, 2dfg.exe and
3fgh.exe. They would then start in that order.


In McBarker <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Is there a way, without using a 3rd party utility, to change the
loading order of startup programs? If not, can anyone recommend a
utility which will do it safely? I have an "always on" broadband
Internet connection, and my software firewall (Sygate) seems to be
one of the last programs to load on startup. Other stuff like Adobe
Updater and my monitor calibration program always load first. These
days, with almost instant virus infection on the Internet, I would
like to make sure that my firewall and antivirus are the first
programs loaded. Any suggestions?