How to add startup applications in lubuntu?

Question

Is there a 'Startup applications' app for lubuntu? Or how do I add apps to startup? I attempted a tutorial to add entries to ~/.config/autostart, but it did not work. Isn't there an easy way? Any ideas please?

Answer 1

You should be able to add the .desktop file to the directory you listed: ~/.config/autostart

Did you log out and back in?

The easiest way I have found to do this is to:

1. Open up PCmanFM and go to /usr/share/applications.
2. Find the application you're looking for and copy it.
3. Open up ~/.config/autostart in PCmanFM.
4. Paste in the application you copied.
5. Logout

Once you log back in, it should be working. If it's not, it may be a question of the app, not the autostart process. Which app are you trying to autostart? Maybe we can help you better with more details.

Answer 2

You can install the programm lxsession-edit from the software center. It will give you an interface like the "startup applications" app.

Or you can add programs by editing the file /etc/xdg/lxsession/LXDE/autostart. (In new Lubuntu is path /etc/xdg/lxsession/Lubuntu/autostart)
To do this press Alt+F2 and type gksu gedit.

Or the cleanest way (that didn't work for you) adding .desktop files to /home/username/.config/autostart and make sure they're marked as executables.

Here is a default syntax for a .desktop file with some of the most important entries.

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Encoding=UTF-8
Name="NAME OF THE APPLICATION"
Comment="WHAT DOES THE APP DO?"
Exec="EXECUTABLE PATH OF APPLICATION"
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
Terminal=false

Example:

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Firefox
Comment=Firefox Web Browser
Exec=firefox
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
Terminal=false

For applications that have their binaries in /usr/bin, you don't have to put the full path, just the name of the executable.

Save as YOUR_APPNAME.desktop in ~/.config/autostart/.

Log out and back in and it should have worked.

Answer 3

There is a default application for this on the Lubuntu. Check it out:

1. Press the Lubuntu icon on the bottom left;
2. Select "Preferences" > "Default applications for LXSession";
3. In the opened window, select the option "Autostart";
4. Now you can enable or disable the autostarted applications, check/uncheck one in the listm or set manually on the field and pressing the "Add" button.