Can’t get anything to run from any of the Registry “Run” keys

Windows 11 Pro, updates are current, 2 user profiles (mine and my wife’s), my wife is the only one having this issue.

I have been using a program called Robotask to launch all the programs that normally are placed in the Registry “Run” keys and it has had no issues. I can’t say when this problem
started because I have been using Robotask for many, many years. I actually restored one of my images from November 2025 and the problem existed then.

The problem is no matter what Registry key I use, HKCU, HKLM, HKLM 32Bit (SysWOW) the programs do not start when I log into Windows. If I place them in Task Scheduler they run fine. I have spent hours on the Internet researching this an although there have been many suggestions, none of them have worked.

I have been in IT for over 50 years and have never come across this issue (or apparently my aging brain has failed me again….)
I wish I knew when this started which could have pointed me to a resolution. I’m hoping someone may have experienced this and knows the solution. I guess it could be a corrupted user profile but normal everyday use has been fine and there have not been any other “strange” problems. I dread the thought of creating a new user profile

Thanks for taking the time to read this someone lengthy post.

Bob Gregory

You could create another user account temporarily, and see if the problem happens there. If it does, then it’s not the current user profile.

You're absolutely right. I will do that without making any custom changes, just to see if the profile is the issue. I will make a backup 1st and report back on the results. Thank you.

Well, your idea was spot on. The Registry "Run" keys work. Thank you for that suggestion. Now the question: Is there a fix to the current profile or will I be forced to create a new one ... Hopefully someone will have a answer.

Again, thank you.

bgregory said:

s there a fix to the current profile or will I be forced to create a new one

Click to expand...

It's well documented that in the case of a corrupted user profile one wastes his time trying to fix it. Create a new one.
How to get your personal data from one account to the other is critical and the proper way to do it depends on a number of things.
1. Do you currently use a Microsoft account or a local account?
2. Do you currently sync your personal files to Onedrive.

Tell me your user case and I'll post the right instructions I have saved for it.

Thanks glasskutter. I use a local account and I DO NOT sync my files to OneDrive

@bgregory

Well, here's ten points, just for filling out your computer specs.





Here's some reading material while you're waiting for @glasskuter

Step by step procedure for creating new account, backing up data, and migrating data into the new account.

Note: any settings, options, and tweaks made in old account will have to be done again in the new account. This process only creates the account and gets your files moved into it.

DO THIS FROM OLD ACCOUNT

If you have "automatically sign in to windows" enabled, you will need to disable it. Enable or Disable Automatically Sign in Account at Startup in Windows 11

1. (HOME)AS a precaution, Turn off device encryption if it is currently on. Turn On or Off Device Encryption in Windows 11 Tutorial

(PRO) turn off standard Bitlocker. Turn Off BitLocker for Drive in Windows 11 Tutorial

2. Create a new local account
Settings>Accounts>Scroll down and click on Other Users.
Select add account>select I don't have this person's signin information

This will let you create a local account

In user name box name the account and assign a password.
Very Important- Make the new user an administrator. Once account is created, to the right of the new user name click down arrow. Select Change account type.
Click arrow to right of standard user and select Administrator.

3. While still logged into old account COPY & PASTE (NOT MOVE) any files you want saved into folders on your external drive. (Documents, Desktop, Music, Pictures, Downloads, Videos. ) It is important to use copy and paste to prevent permission problems. Copy any files saved to desktop, too.

4. Export all your browser bookmarks to a file and save to external drive. Make note of your browser extensions. The bookmarks can be imported into the browser in your new account and browser extensions reinstalled. If you don’t have record of passwords saved in your browser, you can export those too or at least make a note of them. If you don’t know how to do this, tell us what browser you use and we can help you.

5. Restart computer.
---------------------------
DO THIS FROM NEW ACCOUNT

6. On signin screen you will see 2 accounts. Select the NEW LOCAL ACCOUNT name you created and it will ask you to set up a password and password hints. Also answer all the other setup option questions.
Your new desktop will be created.
Open the folders on external drive. COPY and PASTE the files you saved to the external media into the personal folders of your new account.

7. Import browser bookmarks and reinstall extensions.

8. All settings in the new account will have to be set up new. (Shortcuts, tweaks, etc)

9. Enable Device Encryption or Bitlocker again if it was disabled in step 1 above. Make note of any new encryption key . Keep it in a safe place.

10. Once you know everything is correct and working in new account and all your files are present, delete the old account. Settings>Accounts>Other Users>Click the down arrow next to your old account name and click Remove.

Note: Regarding applicationss, most programs you install with an .exe are installed for all users. But sometimes a program will install for the current user only. In that case you will have to install that particular program again while using your new user account. Any apps you downloaded from the Windows store will also have to be downloaded again.

Thank you glasskuter for the the very nicely done instructions. I will be on vacation for hopefully more than a week and I will attempt
the new profile when I get back. This profile is about 8 years old so I'm not looking forward to adding all the little tweaks that I have done to it.

Again, thank you for helping... much appreciated.

bgregory said:

This profile is about 8 years old

Click to expand...

Oh Boy, you have your work cut out for you. I had to do this about a year ago, My files were easy because they were all on an external drive anyway. I had most of my registry tweaks exported to one long running .reg file so I could do them all in one fell swoop. THAT saved me hours of work, But I'm still finding little things I missed exporting or settings I missed. Some I've forgotten how to do so I have to jump to the tutorial section or scrounge the web. I have kept good notes over the years on how to do things which help.

If you have sufficient disk space, you don't have to be in any hurry to delete the corrupted account. Just be sure not to use it going forward except as reference.

Enjoy you vacation and forget about computers. It will all be waiting until you get back home.

I agree. Thanks again.