AutoRun Manager

AutoRun Manager is a free Windows command-line utility for viewing and changing programs configured to run at startup. It can display the startup list, add entries and remove them, as well as back up and restore the startup configuration. Those backups cover the configuration, not the programs themselves. A separate command removes all programs from the startup list. The utility works with the Windows Registry to manage entries. Its instructions say to open Command Prompt as an administrator and run AutoRunManager.exe; the tool then displays available commands. Actions and errors are recorded in timestamped text files in My Documents\AutoRunManager. The project uses the MIT License, which permits free use and distribution but provides the software without warranty. The README invites community contributions through pull requests, and the project page does not list integrations. It is focused on startup programs and their configuration rather than backing up the applications themselves.

AutoRun Manager provides direct control over Windows startup entries, with configuration backup and logging. It is a command-line tool, and its backups do not preserve the programs themselves.

It suits Windows users who want to inspect or change which programs start with the system. It may also fit users who want to save and restore startup configuration.

Overview

AutoRun Manager is a Windows utility for inspecting and changing programs configured to launch at startup. It is best suited to users comfortable with an administrator Command Prompt who want direct control over startup entries and a way to save their configuration. Its focus is useful, but its text-based interface makes it a poor fit for anyone seeking visual controls.

Key features

The utility displays startup programs and lets users add or remove entries. Because it manages these entries through the Windows Registry, it provides direct access to the system configuration that governs startup behavior. That is a focused maintenance tool, not a general application manager.

AutoRun Manager can back up and restore the startup configuration, giving users a way to preserve the entry list before making changes. The backup does not include the programs themselves, so restoring the configuration cannot recover an application that has been deleted. A separate command removes every program from the startup list. That can serve a deliberate reset, but it is too sweeping for selective cleanup.

Actions and errors are saved in timestamped text files under My Documents\AutoRunManager, leaving a record to review after a change. To run the program, users must open Command Prompt as administrator and launch AutoRunManager.exe. It displays available commands when started, but command-line operation remains a meaningful hurdle for people who prefer menus and visual feedback.

Pricing

There is no paid tier or seat limit in the published plan. The MIT License permits use and distribution free of charge, but provides the software without warranty. That makes AutoRun Manager a straightforward no-cost choice for individual startup maintenance, provided users are comfortable handling registry-backed changes themselves.

Platforms

AutoRun Manager is for Windows. The instructions require an administrator Command Prompt, so it is not a graphical desktop utility or a cross-platform option.

Who it's for

Choose it if you want to inspect startup entries, make targeted additions or removals, and preserve the configuration before changing it—and you are comfortable working from the command line. Look elsewhere if you need a visual interface, broader startup controls, or a backup that includes the applications themselves.

Pros and cons

• Pro: It can list, add, and remove startup entries, including a bulk-clear command for deliberate resets.
• Pro: Configuration backup and restore can preserve the startup list, while timestamped logs record actions and errors.
• Con: Administrator Command Prompt use and command-line controls exclude users who want a graphical workflow.
• Con: Backups cover configuration, not program files, and the MIT license provides no warranty.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse Startup Manager Software.

• Autorun Organizer is another free Windows option, with startup delay controls and VirusTotal scanning alongside entry management.
• HiBit Startup Manager may suit users who want startup monitoring plus Windows services and scheduled-task management in a free Windows tool.
• Quick Startup is a free Windows alternative with startup-entry management and controls to delay automatic launches.
• Argente Uninstall Manager offers a free Windows plan for one PC forever, with a lower donation-reminder frequency; consider it if that arrangement better suits you.
• BootRacer has a free plan for non-commercial use and paid plans for one or two PCs; choose it if those terms better fit your use.
• Service+ is a free Windows alternative with a 35 MB disk-space footprint and x86/x64 support.
• Win Startup Manager is another free Windows option for managing startup entries stored in the Registry.
• Microsoft Quick Assist is a free option spanning Windows, macOS, and web, with Quick Assist for macOS and web limited to Microsoft Support interactions.

Verdict

AutoRun Manager is a sound fit for command-line-comfortable Windows users who want a free, focused way to manage startup entries and preserve their configuration. Its decisive advantage is pairing entry controls with backup and logging at no cost. If you need a graphical interface, broader startup tools, or recovery of the programs themselves, choose another utility.