Startup application may not run after disabled and re-enabled in MSConfig

Source: Microsoft Support

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When you disable startup applications by using MSConfig and then re-enable them again, those applications may not run.

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Repro Steps:

1. Add a Run key as below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

����� Value name: notepad

���� �Value data: %SysytemRoot%\system32\notepad.exe

��� � Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ

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2. Confirm the notepad will open when log on.

3. Open MSConfig

4. Move to "Startup" tab.

5. Uncheck the "notepad" item (startup name is "Microsoft Windows Operating System") and apply it.

6. Re-check and apply it.

7. See the following key is changed to REG_SZ.

����� Value name: notepad

����� Value data: %SysytemRoot%\system32\notepad.exe

����� Type: REG_SZ

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8. See if the notepad will open when log on.

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Expected result: Notepad will run after logon

Actual result: Notepad won't run.

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The following registry data are saved when startup applications are disabled. When the applications are re-enabled, the registry data are restored as REG_SZ type.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

When you re-enable a startup application that requires path environmental variables specified with the registry type REG_EXPAND_SZ, the environmental variables are no longer usable and the application will not be executed because the registry is restored as REG_SZ instead of REG_EXPAND_SZ.

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There are two possible solutions.

1. Before using msconfig, make sure that the pertinent registries have full path without environmental variables.


2. After this problem happens, change the registry type to REG_EXPAND_SZ.

a.�In MSConfig Startup tab, check the command for each application.
b.�If the command has environmental variables such as %SystemRoot%, check the location to see if it is in the registry
c.�If it is in the registry, remember the location and command.
d.�Start Registry Editor by clicking %SystemRoot%\regedit.exe.
e.�Locate the registry you remember at step c and remember the value name of the corresponding command.
f.�Right Click the value and delete it
g.�Create a new value with �Expandable String value�
h.�Name the new value the name you remembered at step e.
i.�Set the command you remembered at step c as the value data of the new value.

Important: Make sure that you back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs.

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Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

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