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How to manage different Programs At the same time in c# [duplicate]

I have a small application with a CheckBox option that the user can set if they want the app to start with Windows.
My question is how do I actually set the app to run at startup.
ps: I'm using C# with .NET 2.0.

Thanks to everyone for responding so fast.
Joel, I used your option 2 and added a registry key to the "Run" folder of the current user.
Here's the code I used for anyone else who's interested.
using Microsoft.Win32;
private void SetStartup()
{
RegistryKey rk = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey
("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", true);
if (chkStartUp.Checked)
rk.SetValue(AppName, Application.ExecutablePath);
else
rk.DeleteValue(AppName,false);
}

Several options, in order of preference:
Add it to the current user's Startup folder. This requires the least permissions for your app to run, and gives the user the most control and feedback of what's going on. The down-side is it's a little more difficult determining whether to show the checkbox already checked next time they view that screen in your program.
Add it to the HKey_Current_User\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run registry key. The only problem here is it requires write access to the registry, which isn't always available.
Create a Scheduled Task that triggers on User Login
Add it to the HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run registry key. The only problem here is it requires write access to the registry, which isn't always available.
Set it up as a windows service. Only do this if you really mean it, and you know for sure you want to run this program for all users on the computer.
This answer is older now. Since I wrote this, Windows 10 was released, which changes how the Start Menu folders work... including the Startup folder. It's not yet clear to me how easy it is to just add or remove a file in that folder without also referencing the internal database Windows uses for these locations.

Here is all way to add your program to startup for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10
File path
C:\Users\Bureau Briffault\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup (Visible from task manager, Running on current
user login success, No admin privileges required)
C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup (Visible from task manager, Running on all user
login success, Admin privileges required)
Registry path
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
(Visible from task manager, Running on current user login success, No
admin privileges required)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
(Not visible from task manager, Running on current user login success,
Running for one login time, No admin privileges required)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
(Visible from task manager, Running on all user login success, Admin
privileges required)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
(Not visible from task manager, Running on all user login success,
Running for one login time, Admin privileges required)
Task scheduler
Microsoft.Win32.Taskscheduler.dll (Not visible from task manager,
Running on windows boot, Running as admin, Admin privileges required)

It`s a so easy solution:
To Add
Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey key = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", true);
key.SetValue("Your Application Name", Application.ExecutablePath);
To Remove
Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey key = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", true);
key.DeleteValue("Your Application Name", false);

In addition to Xepher Dotcom's answer, folder path to Windows Startup should be coded that way:
var Startup = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Startup);

/// <summary>
/// Add application to Startup of windows
/// </summary>
/// <param name="appName"></param>
/// <param name="path"></param>
public static void AddStartup(string appName, string path)
{
using (RegistryKey key = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey
("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", true))
{
key.SetValue(appName, "\"" + path + "\"");
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Remove application from Startup of windows
/// </summary>
/// <param name="appName"></param>
public static void RemoveStartup(string appName)
{
using (RegistryKey key = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey
("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", true))
{
key.DeleteValue(appName, false);
}
}

You can create a registry entry in "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run", just be aware that it may work differently on Vista. Your setting might get "virtualized" because of UAC.

If an application is designed to start when Windows starts (as opposed to when a user logs in), your only option is to involve a Windows Service. Either write the application as a service, or write a simple service that exists only to launch the application.
Writing services can be tricky, and can impose restrictions that may be unacceptable for your particular case. One common design pattern is a front-end/back-end pair, with a service that does the work and an application front-end that communicates with the service to display information to the user.
On the other hand, if you just want your application to start on user login, you can use methods 1 or 2 that Joel Coehoorn listed.

if you using wpf, the "ExecutablePath" don't work. So i made a code that work on wpf too.
using (RegistryKey key = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", true))
{
key.SetValue(
"AutoStart.exe",
"\"" + System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location + "\""
);
}

I found adding a shortcut to the startup folder to be the easiest way for me. I had to add a reference to "Windows Script Host Object Model" and "Microsoft.CSharp" and then used this code:
IWshRuntimeLibrary.WshShell shell = new IWshRuntimeLibrary.WshShell();
string shortcutAddress = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Startup) + #"\MyAppName.lnk";
System.Reflection.Assembly curAssembly = System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();
IWshRuntimeLibrary.IWshShortcut shortcut = (IWshRuntimeLibrary.IWshShortcut)shell.CreateShortcut(shortcutAddress);
shortcut.Description = "My App Name";
shortcut.WorkingDirectory = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory;
shortcut.TargetPath = curAssembly.Location;
shortcut.IconLocation = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory + #"MyIconName.ico";
shortcut.Save();

You can do this with the win32 class in the Microsoft namespace
using Microsoft.Win32;
using (RegistryKey key = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", true))
{
key.SetValue("aldwin", "\"" + Application.ExecutablePath + "\"");
}

Important addition to other's answers using Application.ExecutablePath: if one of the folders containing your exe contains some strange chars (like mine had C# name) then Application.ExecutablePath will return path with different slashes which will result in it not working.
Application.ExecutablePath.Replace('/', '\\') is more appropriate

Add an app to run automatically at startup in Windows 10
Step 1: Select the Windows Start button and scroll to find the app you want to run at startup.
Step 2: Right-click the app, select More, and then select Open file location. This opens the location where the shortcut to the app is saved. If there isn't an option for Open file location, it means the app can't run at startup.
Step 3: With the file location open, press the Windows logo key + R, type shell:startup, then select OK. This opens the Startup folder.
Step 4: Copy and paste or Create the shortcut to the app from the file location to the Startup folder.

Run C# app on Startup?

I have created a simple weather application and I added the code below to let the user let it run on Startup:
RegistryKey rk = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", true);
if (startupCheck.Checked) {
rk.SetValue("WeTile", "\"" + Application.ExecutablePath.ToString() + "\"");
} else {
rk.DeleteValue("WeTile", false);
}
Now this runs fine on both my computers. But when I gave the app to my girlfriend. She said the app does not run on windows start up. I read it online that it could be because of the user permission or the location so I told her to move the app to c:/ and try checking the box again and then restarting. Now it works but on every startup she has the default windows message saying you want to run this app?
How do I get rid of this? What is the best way to add to windows startup that works with both windows 32/64 bit without any user permission disruptions?

It sounds like you may have run afoul of Windows' file blocking security function. Applications created on another computer are automatically blocked from executing unless the user specifically "unblocks" the file. Have your girlfriend right-click on the executable, select "Properties" and see if there is a button at the bottom of the dialog to unblock the file.
Once unblocked, you should no longer see the confirmation prompt at startup.

You could add it to the Windows startup folder, check if it's not there already and if not, add it (assuming this is what the user wants).
See How do I set a program to launch at startup

How to autostart a c sharp application when booting windows?

I have a solution with two project files in it. One executable is a windows form application and the other one is a console application. Both executables perform different tasks, however, both need to be run at the same time (only the windows form has to be started). Therefore I added following code to my windows form application:
RegistryKey rkApp =
Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run",
true);
public Form1()
{
if (rkApp.GetValue("somename") == null)
{
rkApp.SetValue("somename", Application.ExecutablePath.ToString());
}
When I now restart the PC, everything's gone... Any ideas why this problem is turning up? Thank you!
P.S.: I'm a complete beginner, please be nice :)

You need to create a Windows Service Project and install with a service in windows.

If you have a .EXE file, you can add it to Start Up Programms using MSCONFIG from CMD, it's a Non-Coded Solution, but if you want it to attach to register as a service, then create a Windows Service Project.

Use REGEDIT to confirm that the 'somename' was added, also your code has the problem that it only checks 'somename' was previously set, not that the path is correct. If you ran the code in a different path during testing, it would never be updated. Also RegistryKey should be closed after you are finished with it. By rkApp.Close() or by 'using'.
using (RegistryKey rkApp = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", true))
{
if (rkApp.GetValue("somename") != Application.ExecutablePath.ToString())
{
rkApp.SetValue("somename", Application.ExecutablePath.ToString());
}
}
You say only the form needs to be launched, does the form run the console? What happens?
Anothing possibility is when running a program by the registry, the 'Current Directory' is 'C:\Windows\System32' and not the application path. If you are using code such as:
File.ReadAllText('SomeFile.txt');
It would try opening C:\Windows\System32\SomeFile.txt and not \YourApp\SomeFile.txt, which can be fixed by:
// Reliably get the .EXE directory, this works for both Form and Console applications:
var AssemblyDirectory = System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location);
// Option 1 is set on load:
Directory.SetCurrentDirectory(AssemblyDirectory);
// Option 2 is use full paths for anything opening files:
File.ReadAllText(AssemblyDirectory + "\\SomeFile.txt");

how can I run an app automatic after restart?

how can I run an app automatic after restart?
(by c# code) I create A new string in 'runOnce' key in registry with the path of the App.
the OS run this APP before it load the OS
my problem is: My APP loads but explorer doesn't load, after I close my APP, explorer loads
I restart the computer in APP, and after restart I want that my APP reopen

When you click restart from your app, make the following modifications to the registry:
Create an entry in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run registry branch.
Use
Registry.LocalMachine.CreateSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\YourAppName");
to create an entry.
And
RegistryKey myKey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\YourAppName", true);
myKey.SetValue("YourAppName", "AppExecutablePath", RegistryValueKind.String);
to set the run path.
After the system has restarted, your app starts and removes the restart entry by calling this:
Registry.LocalMachine.DeleteSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\YourAppName");

It seems like your best bet would be to add your program to RunOnce, instead of Run. That way it will be started after the next reboot, but you won't have to worry about erasing the key afterwards.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

This is a better answer as you should not create a SubKey. Also this will automatically dispose.
string runKey = #"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run";
using (RegistryKey key = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(runKey, true))
{
key.SetValue("MyProgram", #"C:\MyProgram.exe");
}

Way to write on registry location

work on C# window application.I want to write on registry.i know how to write on registry.I use bellow syntax to write on registry.
Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey key;
key = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.cre.CreateSubKey("asb");
key.SetValue("asb", "Isabella");
key.Close();
But problem is i fail to write on specified location .i want to write on bellow location
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
On this location want to add string value="abc" and ValueData="efd"
If have any query plz ask.thanks in advance.

For HKCU:
string keyName = #"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run";
RegistryKey rk = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(keyName, true);
rk.SetValue("abc", "efd");
rk.Close();
For HKLM you need to do it with administrative privileges. That requires adding a manifest to your program to invoke the UAC prompt on Vista or Win7.

Writing to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE requires administrative privileges. And if you're running on Windows Vista or 7, it also requires process elevation, lest you run afoul of UAC (User Account Control).
The best thing is only to write to this registry key during installation (where you will have full administrative privileges). You should only read from it once your application is installed.
Save all regular settings under HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Use the Registry.CurrentUser field to do that. Or, better yet, abandon the registry altogether and save your application's settings in a config file. Visual Studio has built-in support for this, it's very simple to do from C#. The registry is no longer the recommended way of saving application state.

RegistryKey reg = Registry.LocalMachine.
OpenSubKey(#"Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run", true);
// set value of "abc" to "efd"
reg.SetValue("abc", "efd", RegistryValueKind.DWord);
// get value of "abc"; return 0 if value not found
string value = (string)reg.GetValue("abc", "0");