After placing shortcuts to programs in the Start Menu on a Windows Server 2008 system, when opening a Command Prompt the shortcuts in the Start Menu are being executed. This functionality does not occur in other version of Windows we have used in the past: XP, 2000 Server and Server 2003. To see the issue, follow the steps below: · In ‘Folder Options’, enable ‘Show hidden files and folders’. · Make a shortcut on the desktop to the MS Paint application · Move the shortcut to the C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder · Reboot the server and log in. · Close the MS Paint application that automatically starts. · Open a command prompt by clicking ‘Start’, ‘Run’ (or type in the search field directly above the Start button) · In the dialog box, type ‘cmd’ and press <ENTER>. · The command prompt will appear, and the MS Paint application will start. · This is not what we would expect to happen. · Close the MS Paint application and delete the shortcut from the Startup folder. How can this issue be changed so that opening a Command Prompt does not execute items in the Startup folder? Thanks, Ken

Hello Ken, Does this issue occur when you remove MSPaint shortcut from Startup folder? Does this issue exist on just Mspaint shortcut? Please try to scan you system by using antivirus software. BrentPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

If there are no items in the Startup folder, then opening a command prompt performs as expected. In the example above, if I remove the MS Paint shortcut and then open a command prompt, only the command prompt window appears. This issue occurs with any application (shortcut or otherwise) placed in the Startup folder. I noticed it when placing our custom application in the startup folder. The MS Paint application was used as example as it is part of the standard Windows 2008 Server install. This issue occurs with new systems, installed from MS media and not connected to any network. It is not a virus issue.

Hello K McCord, I cannot reproduce this issue on my side, please make sure there are no 3rd-party software on there. Meanwhile, the latest updates are installed. Please start the computer in Safe Mode with Network and check the result. If the issue disappears, please perform a clean boot. For the detailed steps, please refer to the step 1 and 2 in the KB article 936214 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936214). Brent Please remember to click “Mark as Answer” on the post that helps you, and to click “Unmark as Answer” if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread. ”