How to Open a Program Automatically When a Mac Starts Up

If you use a particular program or application every time you start up your Mac, here is how to make it launch itself. You can also make a sound play automatically this way.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mac OS 9.0

1. Find the application (or sound) icon and click on it.

2. Click on the File menu and select Make Alias.

3. Drag the alias to the desktop where you can get at it.

4. Double-click to open the System Folder and locate the Startup Items folder.

5. Drop the alias into the Startup Items folder. The next time you start up your Mac, the application will launch.

Tips & Warnings

• There is also a Shutdown Items folder inside the System folder. If you want to play a sound or something at shutdown, drag an alias of that item into the Shutdown Items folder.
• Avoid putting more than one or two items in the Startup Items folder; it might slow down startup too much.

[flipsmithers]

on 8/28/2007 This article is referring to the method in OS 9, kind of ancient history. Mike's comment is for those with OS X. Thanks Mike!

[Mikethecat1]

on 11/18/2006 I've found that the easiest way is to go into the system preferences - accounts - login items from here, you can adjust what programs load and don't load at sign in