Solved Can't startup Privoxy in Windows 11


Raiden

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One more brilliant new "feature" of Windows 11 is that files inside start up........... don't start up at all.

I installed privoxy (version 3.0.33) and it's supposed to work via a shortcut being present in one of the following places (the second location I think, I mannualy later tried to see if it works by putting it in the other location but neither method worked. Result no privoxy at logon.

1= C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
2= C:\Users\<myusername>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb
Did you choose the 'start with windows' option during the Privoxy installation process?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Did you choose the 'start with windows' option during the Privoxy installation process?
Thanks for the reply but from which download did you get that "start with windows" option?

I don't see any and I never had it.

I tried to reinstall and this is what I see (which is also what I remember I did the first time I put it on this Win 11 machine:

Untitled.png

No "start with windows" option anywhere to be seen. And the one above 'run automatically at startup' does nothing of that sort.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb
I don't use it. I found the info on the web and now can't find where I found it. However The user manual states: The privoxy service will automatically start after a successful installation (and thereafter every time your computer starts up) however you will need to configure your web browser(s) to use it. To do so, configure them to use a proxy for HTTP and HTTPS at the address 127.0.0.1:8118.

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
I don't use it. I found the info on the web and now can't find where I found it. However The user manual states: The privoxy service will automatically start after a successful installation (and thereafter every time your computer starts up) however you will need to configure your web browser(s) to use it. To do so, configure them to use a proxy for HTTP and HTTPS at the address 127.0.0.1:8118.

I already use privoxy even now.

My problem is only what I stated: namely that I just can't make the program start up on Windows 11 at logon.

Something that has worked on all previous windows versions without ever encountering such a problem even once. Startup refusing to work is a new experience for me that I was introduced to by Windows 11. And the program (privoxy) existed before the windows version was rolled out so something new is up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
If the program requires administrative rights, you will probably have to use a "Start at log on" scheduled task, set to run with highest privileges. Also, if the computer is a laptop and you want the program to start even if the laptop is on battery power, you will have to configure that as well.

Ben
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Elitebook 2530p
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo L9400@1.86 GHz
    Memory
    2 GB
But I am the administrator of my own computer, why don't I have admin rights already?

Should I turn-on the built in admin?

If the program requires administrative rights, you will probably have to use a "Start at log on" scheduled task, set to run with highest privileges. Also, if the computer is a laptop and you want the program to start even if the laptop is on battery power, you will have to configure that as well.

Ben

That's new. And how does that happen (yes I want the program to start it without battery power too obviously. Like I said I come from Windows 10 so I'm unaware of a separate way of starting. Not sure that's the problem I have now (because it's not starting up even if my machine is plugged to the power grid)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb
It's a security precaution designed to prevent malicious programs from automatically starting themselves at startup. You will need administrative rights to create the task, but once created, it will start any program, even those that require administrative privileges, at logon, provided you select "Run with highest privileges". The reason I mentioned running on battery power is that by default, newly created tasks will not run under battery power alone, so if you need that, it has to be configured to do so.

Ben
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Elitebook 2530p
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo L9400@1.86 GHz
    Memory
    2 GB
It's a security precaution designed to prevent malicious programs from automatically starting themselves at startup. You will need administrative rights to create the task, but once created, it will start any program, even those that require administrative privileges, at logon, provided you select "Run with highest privileges". The reason I mentioned running on battery power is that by default, newly created tasks will not run under battery power alone, so if you need that, it has to be configured to do so.

Ben
Task Scheduler doesn't work either.

When I doubleclick on the exe it works but when I put it in startup it just doesn't.

I even tried a via via methhod and put the privoxy.exe to start via powershell. I created the following ps1 file so THAT perhaps could then startup:
Code:
Start-Process -FilePath "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Privoxy\privoxy.lnk" -Verb runAs -WindowStyle Minimized
But no dice. the ps1 file works when I double click on it but it just doesn't start up if I put it in statup folder or direct to it via task scheduler.

Windows 11 is trash.

What kind of "security" measure is it that a program starts perfectly when you double click an executable but all of a sudden doesn't for startup purposes? This is just nothing more than taking away privilege, continuing the dumbing down by Microsoft in order to reduce features and that disguised as a security measure.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb
OK update — I'm halfway there now

I managed to startup via powershell after a lot of tinkering. But now I've got a problem: program begins to start but jumps to the User Account Control and wants me to click YES first before finishing the start. I thought I've already enabled admin status in the script but evidently the shortcut itself needs its own admin status. So now I want that UAC prompt gone. The way to do that is go to the "Shortcut" tab of the shortcut's "Properties" and then click the "run as admin" box. Bt as you can see below that apparently is something I'm not allowed to do. FYI my login is the admin one and it's also the one and only human account on the machine.

Untitled.png
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb
When creating the scheduled task, make sure it is set to run at logon, not at startup. Also, be sure it is set to run with highest privileges.

logon.png

highest.png

On the Powershell shortcut problem, I don't think you can set a non-executable to run as administrator.
Try adding "Powershell" to the shortcut command line, something like

powershell c:\Path to script\privoxy.ps1

Ben
 

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Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Elitebook 2530p
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo L9400@1.86 GHz
    Memory
    2 GB
When creating the scheduled task, make sure it is set to run at logon, not at startup. Also, be sure it is set to run with highest privileges.

View attachment 27132

View attachment 27133

On the Powershell shortcut problem, I don't think you can set a non-executable to run as administrator.
Try adding "Powershell" to the shortcut command line, something like

powershell c:\Path to script\privoxy.ps1

Ben
But adding "powershell" (or pwsh) to the shortcut no longer starts up the ps1 file.

Only thing present in the shortcut's "target" box (in "properties" where I am supposed to edit) must be "C:\path to script\privoxy.ps1" in order for the startup shortcut to the ps1 to be activated at logon.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb
Try the target like this:

Powershell -noexit -file "c:\path to script\privoxy.ps1"

Ben
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Elitebook 2530p
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo L9400@1.86 GHz
    Memory
    2 GB

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb
powershell execution policy is currently RemoteSigned

Should that be Unrestricted ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb
Mine is set to Unrestricted.

Ben
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Elitebook 2530p
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo L9400@1.86 GHz
    Memory
    2 GB
"Unrestricted" made no difference.

In the mean time I tried another tactic: I thought of converting the ps1 file to an exe one. So I googled "ps1 to exe" and, lo and behold, there was a program named exactly that (from Majorgeeks). Then I converted the ps1 file to exe and thought I had finally solved this once and for all................. except I didn't. Now my antivirus (Microsoft Windows Security) declared that my converted exe file is a Trojan named Script/Wacatac.B!ml. Needless to say I nuked that and uninstalled the converter program with no further issue. Interesting that the converter program itself was not flagged by the antivirus but the executable that it created was.

Anyways, I think I'm on the right path: just need a tip on where I need to go in order to find a (to my antivirus) acceptable and reputable way to convert ps1 to exe.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb
Good news!

I found out that powershell itself can convert ps1 to exe and voila! Problem solved. Checkmated Microsoft: it can't declare its own product to be an unapproved evil foreign object so it could slap citation on willy-nilly :cool:
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home (22H2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Laptop 15s
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Memory
    16 mb
    Hard Drives
    1 tb

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