how to automatically lunch my app when windows boots?

[naved momin]

what efforts i can make so that my java application automatically starts when windows(OS) start or boots ?
but solutions should be 100% programmatically , can any one has any idea about this ?

[Jeff Verdegan]

naved momin wrote:what efforts i can make so that my java application automatically starts when windows(OS) start or boots ?

Sounds like you want it to be a Service. Google for java windows service, or look into Tanuki Service Wrapper.

but solutions should be 100% programmatically

If you mean what I think you mean by that, then it's not possible.

[Wendy L Gibbons]

Jeff Verdegan wrote:

but solutions should be 100% programmatically

If you mean what I think you mean by that, then it's not possible.

He could go and get a job for microsoft, and make everyone's computer start it at runtime

[Jeff Verdegan]

Wendy Gibbons wrote:

Jeff Verdegan wrote:

but solutions should be 100% programmatically

If you mean what I think you mean by that, then it's not possible.

He could go and get a job for microsoft, and make everyone's computer start it at runtime

You'd think by now I'd know better than to use absolutes around a bunch of programmers.

[Tim Moores]

Alternatively, you can put a .bat file that starts the app in the AutoStart folder.

[Stephan van Hulst]

Or just put a symbolic link there.

[naved momin]

Tim Moores wrote:Alternatively, you can put a .bat file that starts the app in the AutoStart folder.

yes that could be one solution but that require human intervention, i m finding solution programmatically

[Jeff Verdegan]

naved momin wrote:

Tim Moores wrote:Alternatively, you can put a .bat file that starts the app in the AutoStart folder.

yes that could be one solution but that require human intervention, i m finding solution programmatically

Define exactly what you mean by "programmatically." A .bat file is a programmatic approach, in my opinion.

If you mean what I think you mean--simply by what you put in your Java code--then it is not possible.

[Philip Thamaravelil]

Jeff Verdegan wrote:

naved momin wrote:

Tim Moores wrote:Alternatively, you can put a .bat file that starts the app in the AutoStart folder.

yes that could be one solution but that require human intervention, i m finding solution programmatically

Define exactly what you mean by "programmatically." A .bat file is a programmatic approach, in my opinion.

If you mean what I think you mean--simply by what you put in your Java code--then it is not possible.

Hypothetically, you could have your Java program create the batch file in the startup directory. So only an initial run of the program would be required. Just my two cents.

[Wendy L Gibbons]

Philip Thamaravelil wrote:

Jeff Verdegan wrote:

naved momin wrote:

Tim Moores wrote:Alternatively, you can put a .bat file that starts the app in the AutoStart folder.

yes that could be one solution but that require human intervention, i m finding solution programmatically

Define exactly what you mean by "programmatically." A .bat file is a programmatic approach, in my opinion.

If you mean what I think you mean--simply by what you put in your Java code--then it is not possible.

Hypothetically, you could have your Java program create the batch file in the startup directory. So only an initial run of the program would be required. Just my two cents.

but would that be an installer step

[Martin Vashko]

I'd say you should make your app a service, as Jeff suggested. You could then use for example MakeMSI to create Windows Installer file (.msi) and have the service registered by it.

[John Jai]

Can use Java Service Wrapper(32bit) or YAJSW(64bit). Old thread

[naved momin]

Philip Thamaravelil wrote:

Jeff Verdegan wrote:

naved momin wrote:

Tim Moores wrote:Alternatively, you can put a .bat file that starts the app in the AutoStart folder.

yes that could be one solution but that require human intervention, i m finding solution programmatically

Define exactly what you mean by "programmatically." A .bat file is a programmatic approach, in my opinion.

If you mean what I think you mean--simply by what you put in your Java code--then it is not possible.

Hypothetically, you could have your Java program create the batch file in the startup directory. So only an initial run of the program would be required. Just my two cents.

thats nice one ....good job...

[Martin Vashko]

naved momin wrote:

Philip Thamaravelil wrote:Hypothetically, you could have your Java program create the batch file in the startup directory. So only an initial run of the program would be required. Just my two cents.

thats nice one ....good job...

A shortcut (.lnk) pointing to javaw.exe with proper arguments might be better, you probably don't want to display the console to the user. Making it would be a bit harder, though. In either case, you need to obtain the right location of the startup folder from Windows. Its location is not present (as of Windows 7) in environment variables and the name depends (among other things) on the version and language of the system. For both of these task you'll probably have to call Windows system functions, should be doable with JNA.

However, you stated you wanted your program to run when Windows boot. This solution would run it when a user logs in. These are different things.

I've already mentioned MakeMSI. I was able to produce my first msi file in about two days, though I didn't know virtually anything about Windows Installer beforehand. MSI would easily allow you to create the shortcut in startup folder during the installation, without having to bother about the exact location of that folder. Also, chances are that a MSI package will function better on newer Windows versions, where User Account Control is in place.

If you go the other way, make sure to provide ways to cleanly uninstall your program again. You don't want to alienate your users.