AutoStarter

AutoStarter is a desktop gadget specially made for users running Windows 7 or Vista, which can be configured to launch a program or open any other type of file automatically at a specified time. It has intuitive options that can be quickly figured out.

After it gets quickly integrated with the desktop, you can check out the small frame of the widget, which can be moved to any position on the screen by clicking and dragging it with the mouse. There are multiple skins available for it.

By bringing up the configurations panel, you can tinker with settings, starting with locating and indicating the file you're interested in opening by using the integrated file navigator.

There are two timers available here. Either you can set a countdown in hours and minutes or specify the exact time in hours in minutes while keeping in mind that AutoStarter uses the system clock as the point of reference.

However, we've noticed some issues with the countdown timer, since it didn't work as expected in our tests. It seems that, after setting the countdown, the gadget automatically adjusts the sharp time and uses it accordingly.

For instance, if the current time is 8:40:20 and you set the countdown for one minute, the tool sets the sharp time to 8:41:00. Instead of counting down one minute, it actually counts 40 seconds (the remaining seconds until the exact time).

As expected from a desktop gadget, AutoStarter didn't hog system resources in our testing, as it consumed a barely noticeable quantity of RAM and CPU. However, we cannot overlook the faulty design of the countdown timer, as the widget really configures the sharp time for running an application or launching another type of file.