NetStart

We all know that you can launch certain applications at system startup, but you may not always need to open every program in your startup list immediately if an Internet connection is not available.

NetStart is a simple utility that can launch applications the first time an Internet connection is detected or whenever your PC connects to the Internet. It is relatively easy to configure, although first-time users may find it to be a bit confusing initially.

When it is installed, the program creates a new folder in your Start Menu called “Startup with Internet Access”. Any shortcut you place in this directory will be launched whenever an Internet connection is detected or only when the first connection is established.

You can put items in this directory either from the main program window, using drag and drop, or by navigating to its location directly. However, it would have been great if it were possible to open the folder from the application’s GUI.

You can easily move items from the OS to the Internet startup list, but you still have to navigate to the folder in order to remove them. Also, note that you have to click Save for the shortcuts to be moved.

The network test settings don’t have to be changed, but you do have the option of inserting a different address. A manual test can be run to ensure everything is in order.

After configuring everything, you can close the main window and let the program run in the background. It will continue to monitor your Internet collection and launch applications when necessary.

Overall, NetStart is a useful piece of software that enables you to start various applications automatically when you connect to the Internet. It is not difficult to configure, but it would have been great if the process were more intuitive for first-time users.