StartupMonitor64

StartupMonitor64 is a modern reimplementation of Mike Lin's original StartupMonitor (2004).
It has been updated to support 64-bit Windows autostart locations and handles UAC prompts through a helper executable (SM64_Delete.exe).

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Features

• Monitors changes to Windows startup entries in real-time.
• Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit registry autostart locations.
• Provides a confirmation dialog before allowing or denying changes.
• Uses a separate helper (SM64_Delete.exe) to handle UAC elevation when deleting startup entries.

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Installation

1. Download or build the two executables:

   • StartupMonitor64.exe
   • SM64_Delete.exe

2. Place them together in a folder, for example:
   C:\Program Files\StartupMonitor64

3. Add StartupMonitor64.exe as an autostart entry in Windows so it runs automatically after reboot:

• Press Win + R, type shell:startup and press Enter.
• Copy a shortcut to StartupMonitor64.exe into this folder.

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Usage

• When a program attempts to add itself to startup, StartupMonitor64 will show a confirmation dialog.
• If deletion of an entry requires administrator privileges, the helper SM64_Delete.exe will be called automatically and handle UAC elevation.

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Notes

• Both executables must remain in the same folder for proper operation.
• This is not the original software by Mike Lin, but a community reimplementation adapted for modern Windows.

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Registry and folders that are monitored:

Registry keys:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

64-bit:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

32-bit:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

Startup folders:

• All Users: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
• Current User: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Credits

• Original concept: [Mike Lin – StartupMonitor (2004)](old homepage: http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml)
• Updated and reimplemented for 64-bit Windows by Niklas Holmgren.