POS Auto-Start

Windows Startup Apps

Once a user logs on with a valid Windows user name and password, the Maitre'D POS application should start automatically. This happens because the POS application's shortcut is copied to the Windows "Startup" folder during the installation process.

Users may want to disable this automatic startup behaviour to use the PC for other purposes or for troubleshooting. The following instructions will show how to disable and re-enable automatic startup for the Maitre'D POS application.

Disable Automatic Startup of the Maitre'D POS application

Method 1: From the Windows Task Manager

Use this method to quickly disable automatic startup of the Maitre'D POS application, with the possibility of quickly re-enabling automatic startup as needed.

1. If the POS application is currently running, close it. If you have a keyboard connected, simply press ALT + F4 and the POS application will close. Otherwise, use a manager employee number to access the manager's menu and close the POS. (FUNCTION > Manager Menu > System Functions > Close POS).

Manager Menu - Close POS

1. Invoke the Task manager, either by right-clicking the task bar and selecting the Task Manager option, or by pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL on your keyboard and selecting the Task Manager option.

Task Manager from taskbar

Task Manager from CTRL + ALT + DEL

1. On the Task Manager window, click the Startup tab. The applications that start when Windows starts will be listed here. Select Maitre'D Suite from the list, and click the Disable button, in the lower-right corner.

Task Manager - Startup - Enabled

1. The status of the application will change to Disabled.

Task Manager - Startup - Disabled

1. Close the task manager. If you restart the computer at this point, the Maitre'D POS application will no longer start automatically.

2. To re-enable automatic startup, simply follow the same steps. This time, when you select the Maitre'D Suite option, the button in the lower-right corner will say "Enable". Click it and the status will change back to Enabled.

Task Manager - Startup - Disabled

Method 2: From the Windows Start menu folder

Use this method to permanently disable automatic startup. It is possible to re-enable automatic startup after this, but a bit more work will be required.

1. If the POS application is currently running, close it. If you have a keyboard connected, simply press ALT + F4 and the POS application will close. Otherwise, use a manager employee number to access the manager's menu and close the POS. (FUNCTION > Manager Menu > System Functions > Close POS).

Manager Menu - Close POS

1. Using Windows File Explorer, browse to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\. Note that you need to be able to see hidden files and folders.

Startup folder

1. Locate the Maitre'D POS shortcut and delete it.

Delete prompt

1. Empty the recycle bin.

Empty Recycle Bin

1. If you restart the computer at this point, the Maitre'D POS application will not start automatically after you logon to Windows.

Re-enable automatic startup after deleting the shortcut from startup

If you wish to re-enable automatic startup but the shortcut was deleted, here is how to re-create it:

1. Using Windows File Explorer, browse to C:\WS.

2. Locate the file called Starter.exe. Right-click the file and select the Copy option.

Right-Click Copy

1. Right-click an empty space on the Windows desktop and select the Paste Shortcut option.

Paste Shortcut

1. This will create a shortcut called "Starter.exe - Shortcut". Rename it to Maitre'D POS.

Rename Shortcut

1. Using Windows File Explorer, browse to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\. Note that you need to be able to see hidden files and folders.

Startup Folder - Blank

1. Drag-and-Drop the Maitre'D POS shortcut from the desktop to the Startup folder.

Maitre'D POS Shortcut

Arrow

Copied Shortcut

1. You will see a dialog box explaining that you need administrator privileges to perform this operation. Click Continue and the shortcut will be copied.

Destination Folder Access Denied

Move progress

1. If you restart the computer at this point, the Maitre'D POS application will start automatically after you logon to Windows.

Related Topics

1. Before Installing a new POS

2. Configure your Windows Network Profile

3. POS Installation Procedure

4. Windows Auto-Logon