Skype doesn't auto-run at startup

Question

I'm running Vista SP2 and Skype 4.1.0.141.

I have "Start Skype when I start Windows" checked, but it's still not starting automatically. Is this a Skype bug, or something I can track down myself?

UPDATE: I've just upgraded from .141 to .179 and the problem is back, with the registry entry corrupted as before. Again, fixing the registry entry as described seems to have resolved it.

Answer 1

Well, I have a solution, but I can't see any way that the problem could have arisen, except for a buggy skype installer .

msconfig was listing the command to run as:-

"C:\Program Files\Skype\\Phone\Skype.exe"  /nosplash /minimized

Note the double slash in there before Phone!

Changing the registry entry for HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Skype to remove the extra slash fixed the problem.

Answer 2

Try putting a shortcut to Skype in your startup folder

C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Answer 3

I had the same problem with Vista SP2. I used the same trick for when the Microsoft updates got stuck:

I deleted everything regarding Skype from the hosts.

1. Navigate to the following location:

   Windows 95/98/Me:

   %Windir%
   

   Windows NT/2000/XP:

   %Windir%\System32\drivers\etc
   

   Windows Vista:

   c:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
   

2. Double-click the hosts file.

3. If necessary, deselect the “Always use this program to open this program” check box.

4. Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.

5. When the file opens, delete all the (Skype) entries.

6. Save.

Answer 4

Right click on Skype shortcut which is in desktop (OR) right click on "Skype" which is in Start-->Program menu.. then,

Select Properties -> Compatibility tab. Uncheck the option “Run this program as an administrator”. Save by pressing OK button.

It will fix 2 problems.

1. Auto start up of skype during system starts
2. Drag and Drop (send file) in the conversation window will work.

Answer 5

Right click on Skype shortcut which is on the desktop (OR) right click on "Skype" which is in Start → Programs

In the Compatibility tab under "Run program in Compatibility mode" choose your version. If you are using Vista or Windows 7, then press apply.

Answer 6

I have been searching for an answer to this for ages as my Skype stopped autolaunching with a 2017 update, so although this is a slight variation to the question (it's a different version of Skype and for Wimdows 10) this was the ONLY thread anywhere that I found that dealt with the problem so am posting a solution here for others still looking (ironically most other results were for how to STOP Skype from auto-launching!) The link below shows you how to add apps to the start-up folder in Windows 10:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4026268/windows-change-startup-apps-in-windows-10

Answer 7

Do

Run --> msconfig [enter]
startups tab
check on in skype check box
Ok
Restart your computer.

Answer 8

When installing Skype 4.1, its base library Skype4COM.dll (version of 2009) is being stored in ?:\Program Files\Common Files\Skype but old version of Skype4COM.dll (of 2007) had been stored in \Windows\system32. After disabling startup of the new version, Skype starts by means of old library. The records of both libraries are in registry at HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDlls (all listed dlls run at Windows startup, old Skype4COM.dll runs as if disabled Skype).

The method of curing:

• Exit Skype
• Delete both records from ....\SharedDlls key
• Restart in safe mode, delete old Skype4COM.dll from system32
• Restart Windows (Skype must not start if it was diasbled in settings)
• Run Skype manually and set option "run at Windows startup"