What does it mean when a file's startup location is LM Run?

Answer: LM Run is another name for the Windows startup folder. The programs and processes on your computer that load at startup typically will have "LM Run" as their startup location.

So what does "LM Run" mean?

LM is short for HKLM, which stands for "Hkey_Local_Machine." This is a type of entry in the Windows Registry. Lines in the registry beginning with "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" refer to programs running on the local machine (not another system on the network).

The "Run" part of the term means just what it says ? "run the program." Therefore a program listed in in the Windows registry beginning with "HKLM" will run at startup.

To prevent a program from loading at startup, you should first try to delete the program from the Startup folder in Windows. This folder is located at: \WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. If the program is not located in the Startup Items folder, you can remove the line from the registry that includes the program. However, incorrectly editing the registry can cause your computer to function improperly and possibly not start up at all, so use caution when you change any information in the registry!

Another alternative is to use a program like Startup Inspector, which allows you to monitor and alter the programs that load at startup.

Finally, on Unix-based systems, "LM" may refer to a "Log Manager" program, which is used to keep a log of activity on a computer system.

Published: October 25, 2006 — by Per Christensson