{"id":9721,"date":"2020-10-11T14:47:50","date_gmt":"2020-10-11T21:47:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coretechnologies.com\/blog\/?p=9721"},"modified":"2022-02-21T06:09:13","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T14:09:13","slug":"remove-login-startup-task","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coretechnologies.com\/blog\/alwaysup\/remove-login-startup-task\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&A: How do I Remove an AlwaysUp “At-Login” Startup Task?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n  At some point I must have setup a command line to start my application in AlwaysUp when I log in. But I do not need to do that any longer. I deleted the configuration in AlwaysUp but I do not know how to review and delete what I did in the command line. So this error comes up every time I log in:<\/p>\n
\"AlwaysUp<\/a><\/div>\n

Can you help me please?<\/p>\n

— Nic<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Hi Nic. The attempt to launch an obsolete AlwaysUp service is coming from one of several places. Please check the following:<\/p>\n

Is there a shortcut in your Windows Startup folder?<\/h2>\n

Your Windows Startup folder holds shortcuts to applications that should be started when you log in. You can find it here:<\/p>\n

C:\\Users\\YOUR-USER-NAME\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Startup<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

(You can find your user name by running whoami<\/a> at a command prompt.)<\/p>\n

Navigate to that folder in File Explorer. Do you have any shortcuts that launch an AlwaysUp application? Look for the AlwaysUp icon: <\/p>\n

For example, here is a shortcut that restarts Dropbox in the current session sitting in the startup folder:<\/p>\n

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

If you find a shortcut for your bogus application, please delete it. That will eliminate your problem.<\/p>\n

If you don’t see an appropriate shortcut, note that on Windows 10, there is another startup folder for all users<\/b>:<\/p>\n

C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\StartUp<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Please check for an AlwaysUp shortcut there as well.<\/p>\n

If you still don’t find any shortcuts, let’s move on to the more obscure locations.<\/p>\n

Is there a scheduled task?<\/h2>\n

The Task Scheduler<\/a> is a powerful Windows component that can launch applications in response to specific trigger events. It is possible that someone created a task that launches your application\/service whenever you log in<\/a>. Let’s see if we can find such a task.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Start the Windows Task Scheduler by running taskschd.msc<\/b>. (You can also find it in Control Panel by searching for “Schedule tasks”).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    In the Task Scheduler<\/b> window that comes up, select Task Scheduler (Local)<\/b> on the left and scroll down to the Active tasks<\/b> section in the center panel:<\/p>\n

  3. \n

    \nBrowse the list of active tasks. Look for any mention of your application, AlwaysUp or anything else relevant to your situation. The Triggers<\/b> column should say At log on<\/b>, perhaps for your user account.\n<\/p>\n

    \nFor example, here we have identified an AlwaysUp task that restarts Plex Media Server<\/a> in the current session (i.e. visibly on your desktop) whenever you log on:\n<\/p>\n

  4. \n

    Let’s confirm that this is the offending task.<\/p>\n

    Double-click on the task to move to its location. And double-click the entry to open its properties.<\/p>\n

    Switch to the Actions<\/b> tab and examine the actions. An AlwaysUp task will point to the AlwaysUp executable and reference the application name in the optional arguments, as shown here for Plex:<\/p>\n

  5. \n

    Once you are comfortable that you have identified the obsolete task, dismiss all sub-windows and return to the main Task Scheduler window. Right-click the task and select Delete<\/b> to remove it from your system:<\/p>\n

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

    Still nothing? OK, let’s bring out the big guns…<\/p>\n<\/ol>\n

    What does Autoruns show?<\/h2>\n

    Autoruns<\/a> is a free administrative tool created by Microsoft. Its purpose is to identify every single application that Windows launches automatically — either when the computer boots or when you log in.<\/p>\n

    To check for an AlwaysUp task with Autoruns:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Download Autoruns. Extract the zip file to a folder on your hard drive (e.g. C:\\Apps\\Autoruns).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n

      Start Autoruns as an administrator. (The tool needs admin rights to help you eliminate unwanted startup programs.)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    3. \n

      Wait a few seconds for Autoruns to collect its information.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    4. \n

      The Everything<\/b> tab lists all applications, services and scripts launched at startup. Scroll through the list and see if you see any AlwaysUp tasks. You can also use the search function.<\/p>\n

    5. \n

      If you find an AlwaysUp task, you can delete (or disable) it from Autoruns.<\/p>\n

      But please proceed with caution. Make 100% sure that you are taking the right action!<\/b> You don’t want to inadvertently eliminate a vital operation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Still stumped? Please get in touch for a few more tips<\/h2>\n

      For additional guidance, please send an email to our support team<\/a> detailing everything you have tried. Please include an export of your Autoruns data (created by selecting File > Save<\/b><\/nobr> from the menu) so we can see what is automatically loaded onto your system. We’ll help you get the job done!<\/p>\n