Run Java application at Windows startup

Question

I have a JAR file containing a Java application. How can I make it start with Windows, without needing user interaction?

Solution 1

Create a .bat file and put this inside:

javaw -Xmx200m -jar C:\Path\to\jarfile\TheJar.jar

Then put the .bat file into the windows startup folder.

One more thing: There's a difference between using java and javaw. While java is better when you are debugging an application, the application prints text or something like that, javaw is better when you don't need that. Why? Because java runs java program using a console that shows all that application prints (println's, exception stacktraces and so on) while javaw doesn't run on console.

Solution 2

it's simple as you have to put shortcut in

Windows 7 C:\users\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup(Admin) or User home directory(%userProfile%)

Windows 10 : In Run shell:startup

in it's property -> shortcut -> target - > java.exe -jar D:\..\runJar.jar

NOTE: This will run only after you login

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With Admin Right

sc create serviceName binpath= "java.exe -jar D:\..\runJar.jar" Will create windows service

if you get timeout use cmd /c D:\JAVA7~1\jdk1.7.0_51\bin\java.exe -jar d:\jenkins\jenkins.war but even with this you'll get timeout but in background java.exe will be started. Check in task manager

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In some restricted environment as I was in corporate environment

ERROR:

The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion

In this case

cmd /c D:\JAVA7~1\jdk1.7.0_51\bin\java.exe -jar d:\jenkins\jenkins.war

This will give you an error if you run manually but will run in background.

NOTE: This will run at windows logon start-up(before sign-in, Based on service 'Startup Type')

Detailed explanation of creating windows service

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Regedit

Note: Edit Advanced User only

To Run for Current User Only

HKEY_CURRENT_USER/SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/WINDOWS/CURRENT_VERSION/RUN

To Run for All Users

hkey_local_machine/SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/WINDOWS/CURRENT_VERSION/RUN

Create a String with Name and Path using above command

Solution 3

The answer to this question might suit your needs. Setup your java application to run as a windows service and you should be good to go.

Solution 4

1. Open 'Run' (Windows-Key+R)
2. Write regedit
3. Go to HKey local machine -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Current version -> run
4. Click on it and in the other panel right-click on nothing and choose Add -> String value
5. Name it java
6. Double-click it and put it's value as follows: javaw -Xmx200m -jar C:\Path\to\jarfile\TheJar.jar

Solution 5

If you want to do it programmatically from Java you can write directly into Windows registry startup folder.

Here is link how to write into Windows registry programmatically.

when you have implemented function to work with registry than what you need is just run this code

String value = "\"javaw -jar " + System.getProperty("user.dir") + "\\myJar.jar\"";
WinRegistry.writeStringValue(WinRegistry.HKEY_CURRENT_USER, "Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", "myJar autorun key", value);

where value for key need to be command what runs your application like java -jar myJar.jar

to remove it from autorun you simply

WinRegistry.deleteValue(WinRegistry.HKEY_CURRENT_USER, "Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run", "myJar autorun key");

UPDATE

Replace WinRegistry.writeStringValue with WinRegistry.setStringValue recent version of java 1.8.x

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Comments

[Vadzim]

See also How to create a windows service from java app

[Hussain Akhtar Wahid 'Ghouri']

anyother way than keeping it inside start up folder

[gavenkoa]

sc create wouldn't work as java.exe isn't implement StartServiceCtrlDispatcher. See msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/…

[Daniel Kvist]

@ThorbjørnRavnAndersen When would it happend otherwise?

[matbrgz]

@TheDDestroyer12 services are run at boot time (if configured so).

[Daniel Kvist]

@ThorbjørnRavnAndersen Ah, sorry.

[jechaviz]

does it needs the apostrophes at the begining and at the end? or quotes? or nothing?

[user3379482]

No - You can leave it empty if the directory has no spaces

[jechaviz]

Just I was thinking about the initial aphostrophe in your answer, i mean: --> 'javaw...

[Seyed Ali Roshan]

is there any way we can see std logs after this? in Linux by systemd units u can always try and look at the logs by running journalctl, so is there any alternative to that with this method?