AutoRun Manager review

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

AutoRun Manager is a free, open-source Windows command-line utility for inspecting and managing programs configured to run at system startup. It is aimed at users who want direct control over startup entries, particularly those who value configuration backups and a transparent record of changes. The utility can display startup programs, add or remove entries, enable or disable them, clean up startup programs, and work with the Windows Registry. It is distributed under the MIT license by Free-Utilities-for-Windows.

Its strongest practical feature is startup configuration recovery. AutoRun Manager can back up the current startup configuration and restore it later, giving administrators a way to preserve or recover changes. It also writes actions and errors to timestamped files under the user’s Documents directory. That combination makes the tool useful for maintenance workflows where change history and rollback matter more than a visual interface. The published release is v1.1.0, and the project remains available as open-source software.

AutoRun Manager is a focused choice rather than a broad system-management suite. Operation takes place from an administrator command prompt, so it fits users comfortable with Windows administration and command-line tools. It is limited to Windows and centers on startup programs; the product description does not present broader service management or startup-delay controls. Choose it for free startup inspection, entry management, logging, and configuration backups. Users seeking a graphical startup manager or wider system-tuning features should consider a different type of utility.

AutoRun Manager pros and cons

• Where it wins
  • Backs up and restores startup configuration
  • Enables, disables, adds, removes, and cleans up entries
  • Records actions and errors in timestamped log files
• Where it doesn't
  • Runs only on Windows
  • Requires an administrator command prompt
  • Command-line operation may not suit users seeking a graphical interface

AutoRun Manager fact sheet, pricing and score →

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update