Sometimes we need an application to run every time we start  windows, even when user has not logged in. It is something  like service programs that run in background even if we do  not see them. In this article we will tell you how to do  this in windows 98 and 95. In next issue we will see how to run an application as a service like other services in  windows NT and 2000. You must be familiar with windows registry before you can  use this. You will need to add your program executable name  and its path in windows registry. Let's assume that our application executable is 'test.exe'  and its path is 'c:\testapp'.  1- If you want to run your program every time win98 starts  (after login) you will need to add a String Value in the  following key in registry : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE    \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Name: test Type: String (REG_SZ) Value: c:\testapp\test.exe If you want your application to run for a specific user you  must change root key to HKEY_CURRENT_USER. In this way your application will run for the person who was in windows when  creating this key. (usually the person who installs your  software) 2- If you want to run your program every time win98 starts  (before login) you will need to add a String Value in the  following key in registry : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE      \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices Name: test Type: String (REG_SZ) Value: c:\testapp\test.exe 3- If you want to run a program only once when win98 starts  you will need to add a String Value in the following key in registry : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE       \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce Name: test Type: String (REG_SZ) Value: c:\testapp\test.exe After running the application for the first time windows  will clear this application from RunOnce list. To add this values to specified key you can use install  maker programs such as "Install Shield" or you can write  your own install program that adds these values to registry when installing your application.  In next issues of this ezine we will see how to install your application as a Windows NT and 2000 service program that  starts and stops as other service programs. We will also  have articles about registry programming in VB, Delphi and  C++ Builder. If you have any problem or question about this article you can ask it in our programming forums and I and other  subscribers will answer your questions. Just visit our  website and leave your message !