# Startup Applications
## Overview
Similar to [AutoRuns](/windows-privilege-escalation/registy/autoruns.md), the concept of exploiting startup applications is that we configure a malicious executable as a startup application and hopefully get a Admin shell back when the computer reboots and a Administrator logs in.
## Escalation via Startup Applications
View permissions on startup folder using [icacls.exe](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/icacls)
```powerquery
icacls.exe "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup"
```
Desired output
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