AutoRun Manager vs WinSW

AutoRun Manager is a free Windows command-line utility for viewing and changing programs configured to run at startup. It can list startup entries, add a program, and remove one. It can also save and restore the startup configuration, though that backup does not include the programs themselves. A separate command clears all programs from the startup list. The utility manages entries through the Windows Registry and records actions and errors in timestamped text files in My Documents\AutoRunManager. The instructions say to open Command Prompt as an administrator and run AutoRunManager.exe; the command-line interface displays its available commands when started. The project uses the MIT License, which permits free use and distribution and provides the software without warranty. The README invites community contributions through pull requests. The listed plan is free.

WinSW is a free, open-source Windows service wrapper licensed under MIT. It hosts any executable as a Windows service, with behavior defined in a required XML configuration file. Command-line controls cover installation, removal, starting, stopping, restarting, status checks, and configuration refreshes. The configuration can direct WinSW to restart a failed process or reboot Windows. It captures standard output and error streams, offering append, reset, ignore, and log-rotation modes. Before launch, it can download resources from URLs with authentication and proxy options. Service settings include service accounts and an SDDL security descriptor; documentation warns that Basic credentials over HTTP are sent in clear text. WinSW 3 runs with .NET Framework 4.6.1 or later, or through supplied native 32-bit and 64-bit .NET 7 executables. Binaries are distributed through GitHub Releases, with other packages and CI builds listed.