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Running a program BEFORE login

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5 replies

by bowieb 1 view

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I have a system running WindowsNT 4.0 Server.

I need to run a DOS command whenever the system boots up. This program needs to run BEFORE a user logs in. I want the program to be done by the time I see the "Press Ctrl-Alt-Del to login" message.
How can I do this?

If it makes any difference, what I am trying to run is a single command:
route delete 172.0.0.0

I am deleting a route that is automatically added to the subnet for one of my IP addresses. If I delete it manually, it comes back when I reboot, so I need to have the delete command automatically run on every reboot.

Thanks,
Bowie

5 replies

by syscokid

You can use the AutoExNT service that ships with the Resource Kit. This is from the readme:

The AutoExNT service allows you to run a custom batch file, Autoexnt.bat, when you start a computer, without having to log on to that computer.

by howley

Have you tried making a simple program or script to do this and then calling in from the registry under HKey_Local_Machine/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/Currentversion/run

If this doesn't work there are are utilities that will allow a program to be run as a service which can be run before login you may need to do this to get it to run as early as you want it to.

Hope this helps

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