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Hi
On my Windows Server 2016 Autostart is disabled.
I can't find any documentation on how to re-enable it.
If I start msconfig, it says Autostart-objects has not been activated on this computer.
In Taskmanager, Autostart tab is missing.
Searching for autostart in Settings generates no result.
The folder shell:Common startup exists but the shortcuts in the folder is not started.
Why is this "hidden" and where do I restore this function?
Regards
Peter
Hello Peter
Can you try these steps should help you
1. Enable Autostart via Group Policy:
o Open the Group Policy Editor by pressing Windows key + R and typing gpedit.msc.
o Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Logon.
o Double-click on "Always wait for the network at computer startup and logon" and set it to "Enabled".
o Restart your server and check if the Autostart functionality is restored.
2. Use Registry Editor:
o Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows key + R and typing regedit.
o Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
o Check if there are any entries in the Run key that are set to run at startup. If not, you can create new string values for applications you want to start at boot.
o Restart your server and see if the applications start automatically.
3. Check for Malware or Third-Party Software:
o Sometimes, malware or third-party software can interfere with the Autostart functionality. Run a full antivirus scan and check for any recently installed software that may be causing the issue.
4. Re-enable Autostart in Task Manager:
o Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
o Go to the "Startup" tab. If the tab is missing, you can try to enable it by right-clicking on the Taskbar, selecting "Task Manager", then going to the "More details" option.
o Check the status of startup applications and enable/disable them as needed.
5. PowerShell Command:
o You can also try running the following PowerShell command to enable the startup applications:
CopyGet-CimInstance Win32_StartupCommand | Select Command, Location
Hello
Thank you for all your suggestions.
I have now tried them all.
I actually just installed a fresh virtual server with Windows Server 2016 Standard edition on this machine.
I seems that Autostart is disabled from start even in a clean install.
Isn't autostart supposed to work on Windows Server 2016 Standard edition?
Best Regards
Peter
When examining the Powershell tip, I discovered that the command should read Get, not CopyGet. So when running it, this is the list I get:
PS C:\Windows\system32> Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_StartupCommand | Select Command, Location
Command Location
Hyper-V Manager.lnk Startup
C:\Windows\System32\mmc.exe virtmgmt.msc HKU\S-1-5-21-3582285029-3090514085-547820508-500\SOFTWARE\Micr...
C:\Windows\system32\taskschd.msc /s Common Startup
These are all my tries to get autostart working.
Regards
Peter
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The easiest option to gain control over autostart in Windows Server is using the Microsoft Sysinternals Autorun tool, which can be found here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns.
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Hello
This is not what my question was about.
I want to find out why it seems to be disabled on my server.
Is this standard behavior for Windows Server 2016?
Regards Peter
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Hi Peter,
Thanks for your post. Based on my communication, the most common problem with startup programs is that they tend to bloat your system and slow down the startup process. The dozens of programs in combination with an old HDD mean that you’ll wait for some time until the PC finally boots. However, there’s also the opposite of it – when programs in Windows Startup folder just won’t start no matter what you do. Please try the following reference do the troubleshooting steps:
Reference: FIX: Startup folder not working in Windows 10/11 (windowsreport.com)
Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.
Best Regards,
Ian Xue
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All my comments are deleted due to Code of Conduct!!!
Why?
The tips given does not work.
It's really sad that no one can explain why autostart by default is disabled on a fresh install of Windows Server 2016, and how to re-enable it.
I'm sure all suggestions above works just fine on a system where autostart is not disabled.
//Peter