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Running a LabVIEW Executable When Windows Boots

Updated Dec 2, 2023

Environment

Software

  • LabVIEW Application Builder Module
  • LabVIEW

Operating System

  • Windows
  • Windows Embedded Standard (WES)

I built a LabVIEW executable using the Application Builder. How do I get this executable to run automatically when my Windows machine boots up?

Method 1 - Add to Start Up Folder

Follow the below steps to build and set an executable to automatically run at start-up:
  1. Create a build specification for your EXE.
  2. Make sure your build specification settings make the EXE run once it is opened .
  3. Build the EXE. 
  4. Move or copy the executable into the startup folder 
    • To set this for individual users on the computer, place the EXE in the user specific startup folder: Start >> All Programs >> Startup. The path to this directory varies with different versions of Windows. In Windows 7, 8, and 10 this directory is: C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup​
    • To set this EXE to run for all users of the computer, place the EXE in the common startup folder:  C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Windows is set up to launch any files that reside in the startup directory upon booting. After completing this, the VI will open and run the next time Windows boots.

Method 2 - Set as Startup in Registry

Alternatively, you can use the Registry to set an executable to run at start-up by following the steps below:
  1. Launch the Registry Editor by selecting Start » Run and then entering regedit in the Run window. Do not use quotes.
  2. Press the OK button to open the editor.
  3. Find the following registry key in the path below: 
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  4. Modify/Create the Value Data Type(s) and Value Name(s) as detailed below.
    • Data Type: REG_SZ
    • Value Name: [Enter the name of the executable]
    • Value Data: [Enter the path to the executable]
  5. After entering the executable into the registry, exit the window and reboot the computer to see to see Windows launch the executable at startup.