When performing some testing, I noticed that after installing Avast and checking in both my "Run" registry key and my "Startup" folder that a startup entry wasn't present in either location. Taking this into account, in which location do the majority of anti-virus programs locate themselves so that they will automatically start at OS boot time?
Windows – How do anti-virus programs start at Windows boot
anti-virusbootwindows
Best Answer
Where do the majority of anti-virus programs start from at OS boot time?
There are many other start up locations you need to check (see later).
Many antivirus programs (including Avast) are started as a Windows service, which enables them to be up and running very early in the start up process so providing maximum protection:
The Avast GUI (which includes the system tray icon) is started from
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
:There are many locations that can be used to run programs on startup. You need to check them all until you find the program you are looking for.
There are a few programs that allow easy checking of the startup locations.
msconfig (Startup tab):
Autoruns from SysInternals:
WhatInStartup from NirSoft:
WinPatrol:
Note:
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How many ways are there for a program to be run at Startup in Windows?
There are at least 17 locations from where programs can be started. See below.
Windows Program Automatic Startup Locations
HelpingHand pointed out that on 64-bit computers, there are 2 locations:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
which references 64-bit DLLs andHKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
which references 32-bit DLLs.64-bit processes load the 64-bit DLLs and 32-bit processes load the 32-bit DLLs.
Source Windows Program Automatic Startup Locations
Disclaimer
I am not affiliated with SysInternals, Nirsoft or WinPatrol in any way, I am just an end user of the software.