How to Set Up 3DPrinterOS Cloud Client to Auto-Start on Windows

This guide will walk you through the process of configuring the 3DPrinterOS Cloud Client to auto-start on system startup. This setup includes adding the client to the auto-start directory and configuring Windows to auto-log into a specific user account (not system administrator).

Step 1: Install the 3DPrinterOS Cloud Client

Download the 3DPrinterOS Cloud Client: Follow the installation guide linked here: How to download and install the client on your Windows machine.
Install the Client: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Add the Client to the Auto-Start Directory

For Windows 10 and Windows 11

Locate the Shortcut:
1. Navigate to the installation directory of the 3DPrinterOS Cloud Client to find the existing shortcut.
Move the Shortcut to the Startup Folder:

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Type shell:startup and press Enter to open the Startup folder.

Copy the existing shortcut and paste it into the Startup folder.

For Windows 7

Locate the Shortcut:

Navigate to the installation directory of the 3DPrinterOS Cloud Client to find the shortcut.

2. Move the Shortcut to the Startup Folder:

Click on the Start button, then navigate to All Programs > Startup.
Right-click the Startup folder and select "Open."
Copy the existing shortcut and paste it into the Startup folder.

Step 3: Configure Windows to Auto-Log Into a Specific User Account

Method 1: Using netplwiz (Windows 7, Windows 10, and some versions of Windows 11)

Open User Accounts Settings:

Press Win + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter.

2. Disable Password Prompt:

In the User Accounts window, select the user account you want to automatically log into.
Uncheck the box that says "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer."
Click "Apply."

3. Enter User Credentials:

A dialog box will appear asking for the user's password. Enter the password and confirm it.
Click "OK" to save the changes.

Method 2: Creating a Custom Task in Task Scheduler

Open Task Scheduler:

Press Win + R, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.

2. Create a New Task:

In the Task Scheduler, click on "Create Task" in the right-hand pane.

3. General Settings:

In the "General" tab, name the task (e.g., "3DPrinterOS Client Autostart").
Set the task to run only when the user is logged on.

4. Triggers:

Go to the "Triggers" tab.
Click "New" and set the trigger to "At log on" (not "At startup" - the client runs in user context and requires an active user session).

5. Actions:

Go to the "Actions" tab.
Click "New" and set the action to "Start a program".
Fill in the three fields as follows (these are the default installation paths - if you used a custom install location, right-click the 3DPrinterOS desktop shortcut → Properties to find the correct values):

Program/script: "C:\Program Files (x86)\3DPrinterOS Client\python\pythonw.exe"
Add arguments: launcher.py
Start in: C:\Program Files (x86)\3DPrinterOS Client\client

All three fields must be filled in. Program/script must point to pythonw.exe wrapped in double quotes - quotes are required on Windows 10 due to the space in the path, and harmless on Windows 11. Add arguments must contain launcher.py - without it, the client will not start. Start in must point to the client folder so the application can locate its files.

6. Conditions:

Go to the "Conditions" tab.
Uncheck the box "Start the task only if the computer is on AC power".

7. Settings:

Go to the "Settings" tab.
Check the box "Allow task to be run on demand".
Check the box "Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed".

8. Save and Close:

Click "OK" to save the task.

Restart your computer and log in - the 3DPrinterOS Client should start automatically.

Method 3: Using the Registry Editor (Alternative for Windows 11)

The Windows Registry is sensitive. Only use this method if Method 2 (Task Scheduler) does not work on your system.

Open the Registry Editor:

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Type regedit and press Enter.

If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to open the Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the Winlogon Key:

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

3. Configure Auto-Login:

Set the DefaultUserName:

Find the DefaultUserName entry in the right pane.

If it doesn't exist, create it by right-clicking on an empty space in the right pane, selecting New > String Value, and naming it DefaultUserName.

Double-click DefaultUserName and set its value to the username of the account you want to automatically log in.

Set the DefaultPassword:

Find the DefaultPassword entry in the right pane.

If it doesn't exist, create it by right-clicking on an empty space in the right pane, selecting New > String Value, and naming it DefaultPassword.

Double-click DefaultPassword and set its value to the password of the account.

Set AutoAdminLogon:

Find the AutoAdminLogon entry in the right pane.

If it doesn't exist, create it by right-clicking on an empty space in the right pane, selecting New > String Value, and naming it AutoAdminLogon.

Double-click AutoAdminLogon and set its value to 1.

4. Close the Registry Editor and Restart:

Close the Registry Editor.
Restart your computer.

Method 4: Headless Setup for Background Operation (No User Login Required)

This method allows the Client to run as a system process even when no users are logged in. This is ideal for dedicated servers or VMs where active user sessions are a security concern.

1. File and Data Configuration

Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\3DPrinterOS Client\client and create a new file named forced_settings.json.
Paste the following content into the file:

{"custom_settings_home": "C:\\ProgramData"}

The backslash in the path must be doubled (\\) as required by JSON format. The key and value must both be in double quotes. The file must be saved without a BOM (use Notepad or any plain text editor, do not use Word or WordPad).

To migrate your existing printer and account settings, copy all files and folders from %APPDATA%\3dprinteros\ and paste them into C:\ProgramData\.3dprinteros\ (create this folder if it does not exist).

2. Task Scheduler Configuration

Create a new task in Task Scheduler. In the General tab, change the user account to SYSTEM and ensure "Run with highest privileges" is unchecked.
In the Triggers tab, select "At startup".
In the Actions tab, select "Start a program".

Fill in the three fields using the default installation paths below. If you used a custom install location, right-click the 3DPrinterOS desktop shortcut → Properties to find the correct values from the Target and Start in fields.

1. Program/script: "C:\Program Files (x86)\3DPrinterOS Client\python\pythonw.exe"
2. Add arguments: launcher.py
3. Start in: C:\Program Files (x86)\3DPrinterOS Client\client

Note: The quotes around the Program/script path are required on Windows 10 due to the space in the path.
Finally, in the Settings tab, check "If the task fails, restart every" and set it to a 1 or 5 minute interval to ensure continuous operation.

If none of the above methods work, you might need to look into any specific restrictions or configurations set by your organization if you're on a managed network. Sometimes group policies enforced by your IT department can prevent these changes.

For further assistance, detailed logs or screenshots of what you are encountering could be helpful. Please refer to our support documentation or contact our support team for more detailed support.

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