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Execute a script a startup and shutdown

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To perform certain customized functions, scripts can be run when the Windows operating system starts or shuts down. The method to execute a script at startup or shutdown varies with different versions of the Windows operating system. For the professional and full editions, you don't need to modify the registry to run scripts. Instead, it is possible to add scripts at startup from the policy editor of the local group. For all editions of Windows, modification in the registry is required to execute a script at startup and shutdown. Backup the registry before making any changes to it.

This trick works in Windows XP, Vista and 7, but the method varies depending on your edition of Windows.

For professional or full editions

  • Start the policy editor of the local group: Start Menu > Run > Type gpedit.msc
  • Under Vista, you can type the command in the search bar of the start menu or press Windows key + R
  • Go to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Scripts (Startup/Shutdown)
  • Depending on what you want, double click on Start or Stop system
  • Click Add > Browse and select the script you want to add.

For all editions


These steps involve modifying the registry. It is therefore recommended to make a backup before proceeding.

Open notepad and copy the code below: 


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00    

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\State\Machine\Scripts]    

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\State\Machine\Scripts\Shutdown]    

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\State\Machine\Scripts\Startup]    

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\State\Machine\Scripts\Startup\0]    
"GPO-ID"="LocalGPO"    
"SOM-ID"="Local"    
"FileSysPath"="C:\\Windows\\System32\\GroupPolicy\\Machine"    
"DisplayName"="Stratégie de groupe locale"    
"GPOName"="Stratégie de groupe locale"    

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\State\Machine\Scripts\Shutdown\0]    
"GPO-ID"="LocalGPO"    
"SOM-ID"="Local"    
"FileSysPath"="C:\\Windows\\System32\\GroupPolicy\\Machine"    
"DisplayName"="Stratégie de groupe locale"    
"GPOName"="Stratégie de groupe locale"    

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\State\Machine\Scripts\Startup\0\0]    
"Script"="C:\\script1.bat"    
"Parameters"=""    
"ExecTime"=hex(b):00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00


Once you understand the code, you can adapt it to suit your needs by changing some of the variables.
  • C:\\script.bat represents the path to your script on the hard disk.
  • 0 represents the number of the script in case you have several scripts to run.
  • Startup is the time of execution of the script (at startup is Startup and shutdown is Shutdown)


It is possible to add multiple scripts: 

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\State\Machine\Scripts\Startup\0\0]    
"Script"="C:\\script1.bat"    
"Parameters"=""    
"ExecTime"=hex(b):00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00


It is also possible to specify parameters for the execution of this script by changing the Parameters field.

Finally, save this text file:
  • Go to File > Save
  • Give it a name ending with .reg
  • Select All files in the list box File Type
  • Save the file to the desired location and double click on this file

Jean-François Pillou

Jean-François Pillou - Founder of CCM
Better known as Jeff, Jean-François Pillou is the founder of CommentCaMarche.net. He is also CEO of CCM Benchmark and digital director at the Figaro Group.

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