Running an application at startup: registry entry vs. startup folder

Question

I want to run an application at startup. I understand there a few options. I'm most interested in the options below:

1. The registry approach: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
2. Copying a shortcut to the startup folder: C:\Users\@username@\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Is there any difference between the two options?

Answer 1

There's no fundamental difference. The folder tends to be favorited by users, easy for them to create a shortcut there. The registry key tends to be favorited by installers, lower odds that the user disables the program.

That's not exactly much of a guarantee anymore, plenty of utilities around that help editing the keys without having to use Regedit.exe. Including Windows' own msconfig.exe