A startup entry is a Windows setting that tells a program to launch automatically when the system boots or when a user signs in. These entries can come from several places, such as Registry Run keys, the Startup folder, or scheduled tasks configured for logon. They are commonly used by legitimate companion apps, update tools, and security software so they are ready without manual opening.
In cyber security, startup entries matter because they are a simple and effective way to create persistence. Malware often adds itself to startup locations so it runs again after reboot, making removal harder and helping it survive basic cleanup. Defenders check these entries during incident response to spot unexpected programs, review vendor software that was added without clear consent, and disable unneeded autostarts. Good hygiene includes limiting what is allowed to auto-run and auditing startup changes regularly.