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In Windows, there are generally 2 ways a program automatically launches

  1. Start Up folder
  2. A Registry entry (in HKLM,HKCU/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run

Is there a way to prevent applications from being added for automatic startup?

Note: I am not talking about manually deleting the registry keys/startup shortcuts or using the msconfig utility.

For example, I put deny privileges for all users to read/access/write to the HKLM registry key, which helped some. I do not want to to do that to HKCU since there are legitimate things in there I want started.

So, I am looking for a method to prevent anything (legitimate applications, virues, malware, etc) from adding themselves as an entry, but allow the valid ones already entered to be read.

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  • Why cant you just give users read rights but not full control?
    – soandos
    Commented Jan 9, 2012 at 0:34
  • The registry doesn't have those types of permissions. There is no distinction between read and write/modify. At least on Windows XP.
    – steveo225
    Commented Jan 9, 2012 at 0:35
  • Ah, it exists on windows 7. According to this it is in windows XP professional at least...
    – soandos
    Commented Jan 9, 2012 at 0:38
  • On the version I have, I cannot Deny Write without Denying Read as well. Perhaps I need to finish updating it first.
    – steveo225
    Commented Jan 9, 2012 at 0:40
  • Are there special permissions that you can set?
    – soandos
    Commented Jan 9, 2012 at 0:41

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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WhatInStartup

Supports a special "Permanent Disabling" feature - If a program that you previously disabled added itself again to the startup list of Windows, WhatInStartup will automatically detect the change and disable it again.

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