[Guide] How to make Start8 ACTUALLY start on log-in and allow you to bypass metro UI.

from Stardock Forums

So, here's the issue: Start8, by default, starts up via the startup folder. That's all fine and dandy, but those apps don't usually start loading until after you log in - and after you've been placed at the pesky metro screen.

 

Start8 is able to bypass that! ...If it can boot up quick enough. I've personally tried numerous different ways of making an application boot on start up in W8. I finally found a method that makes the Start8 button available instantly and boots it up quick enough so you don't see the pesky metro screen, as the application intended!

 

The instructions are as follows:

  1. Open up Task Scheduler.
  2. Click "Create Task..." on the right menu.
  3. Set the name to whatever you want. Mine is "Start8 on Boot".
  4. Make sure "Run only when user is logged on" is set.
  5. Checkmark "Run with highest privileges". I'm not 100% sure if this is necessary, but it's what I use.
  6. Go to the triggers tab.
  7. Click the "New..." button. Begin the task "At log on". Make sure "Any user" is set and "Enabled" is checked. Click OK.
  8. Go to the actions tab.
  9. Click the "New..." button. The default action should be Start a program, that's the right one. Set the program to Start8_64.exe (or Start8.exe if you're on 32 bit). The default location for these is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Start8\". Click OK.
  10. Click OK one more time to save your settings.

 

Congratulations! You're done! Now try restarting. If your computer is anything like mine, it'll work flawlessly as I mentioned above :).

start8
2,275 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Start8 does not start via the startup folder and never has done.

It starts via its service and you do not need to do the above.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Neil, reply 1
Start8 does not start via the startup folder and never has done.

It starts via its service and you do not need to do the above.
End of Neil's quote

Oh, right, I forgot about the service. I saw brief mention of it, but I don't see any service that starts with "S" in my service list (although I may just not be looking for the right service name), and my Start8 always took at least a few seconds after I logged into the metro screen before starting. With my above instructions, it loads instantly and works as I'd expect.

Maybe there's a bug in the service creator or something?

 

Edit: After reformatting and installing W7 cleanly and then installing Start8 cleanly, the service is now there.

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