AutoHotkey Community

msandry · Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Chicago, IL

Is there a way automatically to run AHK upon starting up the computer, i.e., upon booting up? Question

Guest · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:03 am Post subject:

Questions of this kind always make me wonder: have you really thought it through before you posted the question??
Why would you want to start AHK automatically? It wouldn't do anything!

But anyway, when you have compiled a script, of course you can run it automatically (most of us do it all the time). Just add it to your Startup folder!

Titan · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 5382 Location: /b/

Chris · Site Admin Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 10480

This is also covered in the FAQ. Here's that section:

How do I put my hotkeys and hotstrings into effect automatically every time I restart my PC?

There is a folder in the Start Menu called Startup. If you put a shortcut to your script in that folder, the script will launch automatically every time you start your PC. To create a shortcut:

1) Select the script file in Explorer and press Control-C (but if your script is is a .ini file, select AutoHotkey.exe instead).
2) Right-click the Start button and choose "Explore All Users".
3) Navigate to the Startup folder inside the Programs folder.
4) From the menu bar, choose Edit > Paste Shortcut. The shortcut to the script should now be in the Startup folder.

msandry · Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Chicago, IL

Thank you all for your quick responses!
This is very much appreciated.
My question is something I've been wondering about for about a year. Your answers answered my question, but they also taught me about what the Startup folder is for. Smile

Titan · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 5382 Location: /b/

Wow I must be a real noob to not know about the startup folder, I was using Scheduled Tasks all this time (which is really fustrating). Now I know, things will be much easier thanks.
_________________

msandry · Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Chicago, IL

Chris, Titan, Guest,

I followed Chris' instructions and copied "AutoHotKey.exe" to the Startup folder in the All Users" folder. I immediately restarted my computer to see it work. It didn't.

Suggestions/recommendations?

msandry · Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Chicago, IL

I had an idea. I deleted "AutoHotKey.exe" from my Startup folder. In the AutoHotKey folder under Program Files, I created a shortcut to AutoHotKey.exe and copied it to the Startup folder. That didn't work either. What am I doing wrong?

Titan · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 5382 Location: /b/

Try putting a script in the startup folder (if you're using the AutoHotkey.ini, rename the extension to .ahk).
_________________

PhiLho · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:38 am Post subject: