Run and RunOnce
Run and RunOnce keys cause programs to run each time a user logs on. There are system and per-user Run and RunOnce keys.
Run and RunOnce keys
System Run and RunOnce keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
Per-user Run and RunOnce keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
Values:
Name | Data type | Description |
---|---|---|
%NAME% | REG_SZ | Command to run or run once |
RunOnce\Setup sub key
Contains first-boot activities after setup or when the Add/Remove Programs Wizard was used.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup
RunServices and RunServicesOnce
Only on Windows 9x/Me.
Run in the background when the logon dialog box first appears, or at the boot process stage if there is no logon.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
Values:
Name | Data type | Description |
---|---|---|
%NAME% | REG_SZ | Command to run or run once |
Notes
description-string=commandline
According to Microsoft:
By default, the value of a RunOnce key is deleted before the command line is
run. You can prefix a RunOnce value name with an exclamation point (!) to defer
deletion of the value until after the command runs. Without the exclamation
point prefix, if the RunOnce operation fails the associated program will not be
asked to run the next time you start the computer.
By default, these keys are ignored when the computer is started in Safe Mode.
The value name of RunOnce keys can be prefixed with an asterisk (*) to force
the program to run even in Safe mode.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Run
Installed “Programs and Features”
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer