Which registry path, when set, enables startup for all users via Windows Run?

Which registry path, when set, enables startup for all users via Windows Run?

• A. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• B. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• C. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
• D. HKEY_USERS\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Answer: (B)

Startup programs are stored in the registry in two main scopes: per-user and machine-wide. The per-user location is evaluated for the currently logged-in user, so placing an entry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run makes that program start only for that user. To have a program start for every user on the machine, you use the machine-wide Run key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, because the HKLM hive applies system-wide. RunOnce, while related to startup, runs a program only one time (at the next boot or login) and is not suitable for persistent all-user startup. HKEY_USERS is a per-user hive representing active user profiles, not the centralized all-users startup location.

Startup programs are stored in the registry in two main scopes: per-user and machine-wide. The per-user location is evaluated for the currently logged-in user, so placing an entry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run makes that program start only for that user. To have a program start for every user on the machine, you use the machine-wide Run key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, because the HKLM hive applies system-wide. RunOnce, while related to startup, runs a program only one time (at the next boot or login) and is not suitable for persistent all-user startup. HKEY_USERS is a per-user hive representing active user profiles, not the centralized all-users startup location.