{"id":2537,"date":"2016-09-01T06:00:13","date_gmt":"2016-09-01T13:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.coretechnologies.com\/blog\/?p=2537"},"modified":"2026-02-02T11:53:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T19:53:43","slug":"start-automatically-at-login","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coretechnologies.com\/blog\/servicetray\/start-automatically-at-login\/","title":{"rendered":"How do I Start ServiceTray when I Login to Windows?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"ServiceTray<\/div>\n

Our free ServiceTray<\/a> utility manages any Windows Service from a convenient tray icon. Most folks that use the software configure it to start at login by placing a shortcut in the Windows Startup Folder, but unfortunately that method is not effective on the latest versions of Windows.<\/p>\n

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UPDATE (March 19 2021)<\/b><\/h3>\n

ServiceTray version 4.0 eliminates this issue.<\/p>\n

Instead of starting in full administrative mode, ServiceTray now starts with minimum permissions and prompts for admin rights when the first service operation is performed. As a result, Windows now happily launches ServiceTray from the Startup folder.<\/p>\n

So if you are using the latest version of ServiceTray, there is no need to implement any of the solutions described below<\/b>.\n<\/div>\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Why Doesn’t the Startup Folder Work for ServiceTray?<\/h2>\n

\nMicrosoft introduced a set of security features called User Account Control (UAC)<\/a> in Windows Vista and Server 2008. The key concept behind UAC is that of “least privilege” — where all applications run with normal, non-administrative rights until someone explicitly allows elevation to the more powerful context. Yet while UAC has certainly made PCs more secure from malicious viruses and other hostile actions, it can occasionally foil legitimate use.\n<\/p>\n

\nFor example, UAC doesn’t play nicely with programs configured to start automatically when you log in. Indeed, if an application or shortcut in the startup folder requires administrative rights, Windows will not start it!<\/b> Such is the case with ServiceTray, which must run as an administrator to start, stop and interrogate your Windows Service.\n<\/p>\n

\nSo how do you get ServiceTray to start when you login? We have identified a couple of solutions:\n<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Solution #1: Disable UAC<\/h2>\n

\nPerhaps the simplest way to get Windows to automatically launch ServiceTray is to turn off UAC. Indeed, a quick Google search will turn up many articles showing how to disable UAC. Apparently many people have found UAC very frustrating and end up turning it off. However as this post<\/a> points out there are many security implications to consider if you go that route. So caveat emptor!<\/b><\/a>\n<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Solution #2: Create an “At Login” Scheduled Task<\/h2>\n

\nYou may have heard that the Windows Task Scheduler<\/a> is the ideal choice for running background tasks at scheduled times, but did you know that it can also fire up an application on your desktop when you log in? Here is how to do that for ServiceTray:\n<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    \nStart Task Scheduler. This is best done by running taskschd.msc<\/b> from a command prompt, or by opening the Control Panel, searching for “schedule” and clicking the Schedule tasks<\/b> link.\n<\/p>\n


    \n\"Start<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    \nFrom the Task Scheduler window, click the Create Basic Task…<\/b> action on the right:\n<\/p>\n


    \n\"Task<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    \nYou should now be looking at the Create Basic Task Wizard<\/b> window where you can enter a name for the new task we are creating. Something like “Start ServiceTray on Login” would be appropriate, but you can enter anything you like.\n<\/p>\n


    \n\"Create<\/a><\/p>\n

    \nClick Next ><\/b> to move on.\n<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    \nIn the Trigger<\/b> section, select the When I log on<\/b> option and click Next ><\/b>.\n<\/p>\n


    \n\"Create<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  5. \n

    \nNext, choose the Start a program<\/b> option. As usual, click Next ><\/b> to proceed to the next screen.\n<\/p>\n


    \n\"Create<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  6. \n

    \nNow it’s time to tell the Task Scheduler how to start your ServiceTray shortcut. We’ll need to find that information from the shortcut itself.\n<\/p>\n

    \nFind the shortcut you created with ServiceTray. Right-click on it and select Properties<\/b>. The window that comes up should look like this:\n<\/p>\n


    \n\"ServiceTray<\/a><\/p>\n

    \nThe Target<\/b> field contains the full command line used to launch SerivceTray with your selected Windows Service. From that field, copy the path to the ServiceTray executable (probably “C:\\Program Files\\ServiceTray\\ServiceTray.exe” — don’t forget the quotes) and place it in the Switch back to the Create Basic Task Wizard’s Program\/script<\/b> field. Put everything else into the Add arguments (optional)<\/b> area.\n<\/p>\n

    \nFor example, our ServiceTray shortcut command was:<\/p>\n

    “C:\\Program Files\\ServiceTray\\ServiceTray.exe” “Spooler” -icon 1<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Here is what the Create Basic Task Wizard window looks like after that command has been entered:<\/p>\n


    \n\"Create<\/a><\/p>\n

    \nClick Next ><\/b> to move on.\n<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  7. \n

    \nThe basic configuration is now done and you should now see a summary of the scheduled task to be created.\n<\/p>\n

    \nBut before clicking the Finish<\/b> button, make sure to check the Open the Properties dialog…<\/b> box because we’d like to make one more modification.\n<\/p>\n


    \n\"Create<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  8. \n

    \nAnd finally, in the Properties window, check the Run with highest privileges<\/b> box. This magical option will ensure that ServiceTray starts with full admin rights, so that it can manage your Windows Service.\n<\/p>\n


    \n\"Run<\/a><\/p>\n

    \nClick OK<\/b> to dismiss the dialog. Please close the Task Scheduler as well as your task is now in place.\n<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    \"\"<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Our Recommendation<\/h2>\n

    \nWhile deactivating UAC is certainly quicker and easier, we recommend going with solution #2 as it doesn’t require any compromises in security\/protection.\n<\/p>\n

    Enjoy!<\/p>\n

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    \n\n\n\n
    More About ServiceTray…<\/nobr><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n