XP displays an open folder at start up

I have been using XP pro at work.  Each day when I boot, I get a open explorer window on my desktop (for Microsoft Highlighter).  

I just installed HP home at home and I am getting a similar problem with another open explorer window on my desktop just after boot.  This window is for my ATI display drivers.

While it is simple enough to close the windows and get down to business, I would appreciate any knowledge of how to stop this annoying greeting whenever I boot.

Has anyone got any ideas?  Is it possible to boot up to a clear desktop?

These explorer windows are not open when I shut down.

Check your startup folder (Start button > Programs > Startup).

If that doesn't work goto the start button > Run... > and type "msconfig" - when MS configuration Opens goto the 'Startup' tab and see if you can find the folder there. Uncheck the box with the folder name on it (and anything else you don't want running when you startup) and than reboot to have the changes take effect.

Mike Johnson
IS Support Specialist

Thanks - - but it's not that easy.  I already checked these locations.  

The problem does not seem to be a program running at startup from the config utility or start menu.  This is a Windows Explorer folder that is popping open.  

Imagine that every time you start your computer, the 'My Documents' folder is open on your desktop.  How would I prevent this so that I see nothing on my desktop?  

You can read this information and see if it gives you something to checkout.

http://www.itworld.com/nl/win_admin_tips/03152002/

Start up options in XP.

Windows XP Professional starts logon scripts, startup programs, and services referenced in these registry subkeys and folder locations:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
%systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

jimoblak,
     I am xperiencing the exact issue with my pc at home.. I only reboot my pc once a month, so it isn't an issue for me, it is definitely a registry key that is causing your problem... I don't remember which one, but it is not one of the obvious ones mentioned above... I am at work now, but will fix my machine when I get home and try to post the registry key...  I may have even uninstalled Microsoft Highliter.. I never use it... but can you tell me what the other folder is that is opening up...?  This way we can kill two birds with one stone...

debonairOne

Jimoblak,
     I got the friggin M$ Highliter to stop opening, but am not sure how... I was attempting to fix another issue.. As for the windows system folder, there is a known issue about a registry value not being complete...  HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run  check these entries and make sure there aren't any values with an invalid entry... (such as one quote ")  if you have this, remove the entry and the system folder should stop opening upon startup...

debonairOne

"I look in the mirror and what do I see..."

Ouch...

I checked the registry and found a key at HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurentVersion\ where 'current' was misspelled.  I deleted that but it did not affect anything.

Then I removed MS Highlighter with the add/remove programs CPL.  Now the window that opens at startup is one folder up from the buggy window: C:\program files\

I'll keep trying...

If you find the place that is launching that, change the value to c:\progra~1\ and it should be okay...  I don't remember if it is a registry key or in the win.ini file...  It may even be in the startup folder...  It is only one entry, just don't remember where...

debonairOne

"I look in the mirror and what do I see..."

I Had this problem too.

Try this...

Goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

The 'Userinit' string should read:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

(including the comma at the end)
If "C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe," appears twice in a row, delete the repetition.

Strud:
Nope, I've only one instance of C:\Windows\system32... in that registry key.

I do have the trailing comma.  Should the comma be there?

From http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

XP A-Z, D section

Desktop Process - Windows Explorer Opens on every Boot

Create Separate Processes for the Desktop and Explorer

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Value Name: DesktopProcess
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (1 = Separate Process, 0 = Default)

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'DesktopProcess' and edit the value according to the settings above. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Just incase it helps, you may want to check the 'run' settings again


a value of c:\program files\accessories\wordpad.exe will open an explorer window but a value of "c:\program files\accessories\wordpad.exe" will open wordpad

Notice that the problem is caused bu the lack of quote marks around the filename/path

found the cause of this problem eventually :

In one of these locations (can't remember which one) :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce

file was named "DWORD2" marked with a "Flag" icon to the left in the right-hand pane of regedit.

Delete the key completely - problem solved.

"Strud (MIS) Dec 25, 2002
I Had this problem too.
Try this...
Goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
The 'Userinit' string should read:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,
(including the comma at the end)
If "C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe," appears twice in a row, delete the repetition."
 
 I know this is an old thread but...
 This post has just saved me from endless aggravation.
 I've had a problem with "My Documents" opening for so long
 now, I can't even remember when it started anymore.
 I'd tried EVERY-DAMN-THING and had given up.  I was
 working on a friend's machine that suddenly popped up with
 the same problem and decided to look again.
 I found this post & the solution worked on both machines.

 What causes this?  Does anyone know?
 I'd like to be prepared for it next time.
 Thanks so much Strud!

I got a folder called jason opening at start-up.  It is located at C:\documents and settings\jason.  I never set this to start-up.  Its not under msconfiig, regedit or startup programs under the start menu.  I never used to get this at start-up before.  Can someone please help me out here?

See if System Restore will fix up your corruption by reverting back to a time before it began.


This and the threads above may give you an idea of the problem and its possible causes.

170086 - System32 Folder Opens When Logging on to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;170086&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

I came across this forum and thread during a desperate Google search.  My XP Pro was popping up an Explorer window as well, and I finally got fed up and performed a fresh XP install.  As I installed hardware drivers and utils one by one, the problem resurfaced after installing ATI Radeon Catalyst drivers!  (Drivers from Connect3D, not direct from ATI.)

I followed advice of "madonnac" above, and found that reg key under RUN that launches ATI control panel didn't have quotes around path value.  Control panel wasn't being launched, but Explorer window was instead.   Added quotes, problem solved.  Thanks!!!

I'm using WinXP Home Edition at home. I recently got clobbered with a number of viruses and adware. I purchased Norton Internet Security and removed over 70 infected files.

I still have one nagging problem. On startup I get a Documents folder (C:Documents). I've tried the solutions above to the best of my abilities and haven't been able to stop it. This adds roughly 2 minutes to my startup time.

Thank you for your help!

A second opinion on virus and spyware wont hurt.

Removing adware & spyware
FAQ608-4650

A check list for possible causes of strange folder openings is found here.

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&;threadm=Oj1wUn06CHA.
1980%40TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl&rnum=15&prev=/groups%3Fq%3D%2522folder%
2Bopens%2Bat%2Bstartup%2522%252Bwindows%252Bxp%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%
3DUTF-8%26start%3D10%26sa%3DN

linney,

Thank you very much for the check list. It turns out that one of my registry keys needed quotes around it. Problem solved!

OMG thank you SMAH that had been bugging the hell out of me for longer than I could remember!!

I had the same problem.  I finally figured out that it was due to a related app running at startup.

To be more specific, I had installed Ahead Nero 6 (CD/DVD app) and started getting a Explorer window displaying a Nero directory (er...folder).  On every reboot, the folder reappeared.  I finally found a file named Nerocheck.exe in the MSCONFIG | STARTUP window and when I unchecked this app, the window stopped appearing.  Of course I now have to try to milk the info from Nero about why this happened.

The point of this is thread is that you may not find a window with the exact name in MSCONFIG | STARTUP, but you might find something related to the window and should try booting without that app.

Shinny

I also had problems after installing ATI control panel with ATI explorer window popping up on startup.  Thread was very helpful.  Fix: regedit HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run with reg string pointing to atiptaxx.exe was without quotes.  This application apparently displays the ATI banner in taskbar.  After putting in quotes no further problems.  Thanks for info in thread.