I am using my PC running WinXP Home as Administrator.

I found that following Registry Key is empty:

[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Startup]

I tried to enter the proper value to it, i.e.,

"C:\WINNT\system32\config\systemprofile\Start Menu\Programs\Startup"

But then after reboot, that key reverts back to empty, as if it takes the value from cache somewhere.

What can I do to solve this problem?

Any help will be highly appreciated.

Edited October 19, 200718 yr by Wijono

If there are no applications in your Startup folder, this registry key should be empty, so I don't understand your problem?

Hi Arie,

The default value for that Registry key is:

[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Startup]

is:

"C:\WINNT\system32\config\systemprofile\Start Menu\Programs\Startup"

It is about the “Shell Folder”, not the “Run” folder, which is among others as follows:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

My problem was, if that key is empty, then when you run “System Information” > “Software Environment” > “Startup Programs”, not only the real startup programs will be listed, but also ALL programs in the folder Windows\System32. You may give a try by emptying that key if you want to.

But meanwhile I have found the culprit, it is AVG Anti Spyware!! I don’t know why, but after I uninstalled that program, my problem is gone!! I.e., I can populate that key, and after reboot it stays.

It would be great if someone that knows can brief me the reason .

Edited October 19, 200718 yr by Wijono

What you want is AltStartup

-gosh

What you want is AltStartup

-gosh

What do you mean with AltStartup?

Can you brief me a little bit more?

Thanks.