How to make the program start with windows?

[Nipun]

I am making a program, in which I want to add an option for "Start with windows". The problem is that I dont know how to do this. I know that there is a "Startup" folder somewhere in computer, and this is what I am gonna do:
-Include a shortcut with the program.
-When Start with windows is selected, copy the shortcut.
-Paste it to startup folder.

But, the problem is what is directory of startup folder? I know its:
"C:\Documents and Settings\USER NAME\Start Menu\Programs\Startup"
But what if user name is different?

Is there any other way to access startup folder?

I am using Game Maker Language to create this, but I am sure most of you have not heard of it, so talking about it is useless.
BTW I can also access the registry, so is it possible to get the username from registry? I have never used registry from a program so, and I dont want to ruin my and user's computer-so please be exact if possible.

[nims11]

you can make use of the %USERPROFILE% environment variable to get the current user's directory. then the startup folder will be
%USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

or if you want to add it to the startup of all the users, use the %ALLUSERSPROFILE% environment variable.
and copy the file to %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

[desiibond]

did you check C:\Documents and Settings\All users\......

[Nipun]

Originally Posted by desiibond

did you check C:\Documents and Settings\All users\......

Its there, thanks!
But I dont think its same for Windows 7 too, is it?

[nims11]

Why don't you use registry (like most apps do).
you can add an entry to registry by creating a .reg file with the content as below and then executing it.

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"Name of the program"="Application.exe"

[Nipun]

Originally Posted by nims11

Why don't you use registry (like most apps do).
you can add an entry to registry by creating a .reg file with the content as below and then executing it.

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"Name of the program"="Application.exe"

I have never used registry so I wanted to I avoid it.

Anyways, you saying that copy and paste the code you provided in notepad and save it as .reg file and execute it?

[nims11]

^^ yes

[Nipun]

Originally Posted by nims11

^^ yes

Just a few questions:
I need not to change anything in code except "Name of program" and its directory, right?
Will this work for xp and 7 both?

[nims11]

Originally Posted by Nipun

Just a few questions:
I need not to change anything in code except "Name of program" and its directory, right?

right. you can even use environment variables in the application path.

it worked for me in XP. should work on 7 too.

[Nipun]

This is how I exactly did it:
Created a .reg file with exactly this:

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"antimali"="D:\GM8 Stuff\AntiMali\Crylla-Degree SCAN\antimali.exe"

Executed it(double clicked, for testing)
Restarted the computer.
Nothing happened!

Am I supposed to do it in a different way?

Originally Posted by nims11

you can make use of the %USERPROFILE% environment variable to get the current user's directory. then the startup folder will be
%USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

or if you want to add it to the startup of all the users, use the %ALLUSERSPROFILE% environment variable.
and copy the file to %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

NEVERMIND! I overlooked this post. Using this I am able to achieve it, thanks!

[v.Na5h]

Task Scheduler....[Full stop]

Goto help topics ...if u need help regarding it

[nims11]

@nipun in the .reg file, you need to give the application's executable and not the directory.

[gagan007]

you may also try to execute the program as a windows service. it is not difficult to achieve that either. let me know if you need more help on this.
if you have attained your goal using

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

, it is fine..