How startup programs are added to my Windows 7 computer?

There are several possible ways in which startup programs are added to your Windows 7 computer:

• Windows installation - When Windows system was installed to your computer, some startup programs may be added to your computer.
• Windows updates - When Windows system updates got installed automatically or manually to your computer, some startup programs may be added to your computer.
• Application installation - When you install an application to your Windows system, the installation process may add some startup programs to your computer to help running the installed application. Examples are: Microsoft Office, WinZip, etc.
• Bundled application installation - When you install one application to your Windows system, the installation process may trigger another bundled application to be installed to your computer. This bundled application may add some startup programs to your computer. For examples, Chromium bundled in WinZip.
• IT process - Some startup programs are added by you or your IT staff manually to help maintaining your computer.
• Manual process - Some startup programs are added by you or your IT staff manually to help maintaining your computer.
• Virus/Adware/Spyware infection process - Many virus, adware, and spyware will add startup programs to your computer.

⇒ Track Startup Programs with wmic.exe on Windows 7

⇐ Locations of Startup Programs on Windows 7

⇑ View Startup Programs on Windows 7

⇑⇑ Windows 7 Startup Programs