Run Java Application at Windows Startup

Run Jar file on PC at startup

Try the following:

Write a batch file as follow ans save it as *.bat or *.cmd:

start javaw -Xmx200m -jar C:\Path\to\jarfile\TheJar.jar

Save the file created in the startup folder for all users, which should be C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp

It is important to pay attention on the folder, because if your used Windows + R and shell:startup shortcut like I usually do, it will only work for the current logged user.

Load desktop application on Windows startup

You can set up the exe as a windows service with these steps:

1. open command prompt as administrator

2. type this:

sc.exe create <service_name> binPath= "<path to your exe> --service" DisplayName= "<somename>" start= "auto"

Application start on logon with Java

Run At Login (manually)

Once you packaged your app, you can just put java -jar your-app.jar in a .bat file in the Windows startup menu.

If you don't want to create a jar (e.g. because your app is simple enough) and always assuming you have your Java environment variables configured (JAVA_HOME, PATH....), you can just run directly your bytecode:

startup.bat:

cd your/app/bytecode/path
java yourapp

See here how to start an app at startup.

Run at Startup (manually)

If you need the application to run before the user login you can use the Windows Task Scheduler, and use the trigger at startup, wrapping your application as described in this OS answer:

@echo off
REM Eventually change directory to the program directory 
cd C:\Users\User1\Documents\NetBeansProjects\Facebook\dist\
REM run the program
"C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0\bin\java.exe" -jar "C:\Users\User1\Documents\NetBeansProjects\Facebook\dist\Facebook.jar"

Run at Startup (installer)

In case you really don't want any user interaction the only easy (and IMHO ethic) solution I imagine is the Installer.

You basically need a wizard installing your application for you (and for the user) configuring it to run at startup. There are many wizards, you can build your own or start your research having a look here.

Run at Startup (standalone)

Use the approach described here, writing something like this directly in your small application (original post here):

static final String REG_ADD_CMD = "cmd /c reg add \"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\" /v \"{0}\" /d \"{1}\" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ";
private void exec(String[] args) throws Exception
{
    if (args.length != 2)
        throw new IllegalArgumentException("\n\nUsage: java SetEnv {key} {value}\n\n");

    String key = args[0];
    String value = args[1];

    String cmdLine = MessageFormat.format(REG_ADD_CMD, new Object[] { key, value });

    Runtime.getRuntime().exec(cmdLine);
}

Key is your app name (not relevant), Value is your jar file or the .bat command that runs your application (see above methods on how to package a jar or run a .class inside a .bat file), e.g. "C:\Users\YourApp.jar"

NOTE

As stated by the author, this approach should work with any versions of Windows, since they all use the same Startup\Run registry entry. Though, keep in mind that this is not portable and you have probably to tune the script according to the MS OS version.

NOTE 2

Think twice before modifying the registry code directly from your application (the hacky way). For doing that you probably need Supervisor/Admin priviledges every time the application runs. Moreover doing that without correct, explicit user prompt can be seen as a malware/spam malicious practice.

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