On Windows, use Task Scheduler to open OBS at the streaming user’s logon and pass OBS’s --startstreaming launch argument. Set the task’s Start in field to the folder containing obs64.exe. Then test a real sign-in or reboot and confirm the stream is live at its destination; seeing OBS open does not prove the destination accepted the stream.
Before you automate OBS
First, confirm OBS can start the intended stream manually. Check the streaming account and destination, profile, scene collection, scenes, and stream key. The launch argument can request that streaming start, but it cannot repair an incomplete setup or establish that the destination is ready.
Find the actual location of obs64.exe on your PC rather than assuming a default installation path. You will need the full executable path and its containing folder.
Set up a Task Scheduler logon task
- Open Windows Task Scheduler and create a task for the Windows account that should run OBS.
- Add a When I log on trigger for that account. A logon trigger starts OBS after that user signs in; it does not make the desktop application visible before sign-in.
- Add an action to start a program. Set Program/script to the full path to
obs64.exe. - In Add arguments, enter
--startstreaming. - Set Start in to the directory containing
obs64.exe. Enter the folder path only—not the executable filename. OBS recommends setting the working directory for scheduled and other automated Windows launches. OBS launch parameters - Save the task. Run it once from Task Scheduler and verify that OBS opens and the stream reaches its destination.
- Sign out and back in, or reboot and sign in, to test the actual startup path. Check the destination itself to confirm the stream is live.
If OBS starts before the network or streaming service is ready, add a modest delay to the logon trigger and test again. Windows supports a delay for logon triggers. Microsoft’s logon-trigger reference
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Choose a startup method
| Method | Best for | What to configure |
|---|---|---|
| Task Scheduler | A named Windows account, a startup delay, or an explicit working directory | A logon trigger, the full obs64.exe path, --startstreaming, and the executable’s containing folder in Start in |
| OBS shortcut in the Startup folder | A simple launch at each logon for that user | Duplicate an OBS shortcut, open its Properties, and append --startstreaming after the quoted executable path in Target; place the shortcut in that user’s Startup folder |
OBS documents adding launch parameters to a Windows shortcut and recommends the working directory for automated launches. Task Scheduler offers more control over the trigger and its delay. OBS launch parameters · Microsoft logon triggers
Select a profile or scene collection at launch
OBS also documents launch parameters for choosing a profile, scene collection, and scene. Add them alongside the streaming argument only after confirming the named items exist in OBS. Put quotes around names containing spaces.
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--profile "Profile name"--collection "Collection name"--scene "Scene name"
For example, a task’s arguments could be --profile "Documentary Stream" --collection "Main Scenes" --scene "Live" --startstreaming. Replace those sample names with the exact names in your OBS setup. OBS launch parameters
Why not start OBS at Windows boot?
A Windows startup trigger can run a task at system startup, but running OBS under SYSTEM does not create the ordinary interactive desktop session in which a user sees and operates OBS. For desktop streaming, use a logon task for the streaming user instead. Microsoft’s startup-trigger reference
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Troubleshoot startup and streaming
- OBS does not open: Recheck the full executable path and the task’s action fields. Make sure Start in contains the folder path, not the executable filename.
- OBS opens but does not start streaming: Check the spelling of
--startstreaming, confirm it is in the task’s arguments field, and test launching OBS with the same argument outside Task Scheduler. The OBS source recognizes this launch option. OBS Studio source repository - The wrong scene or profile loads: Check the spelling and exact names used with
--profile,--collection, or--scene; quote names that contain spaces. - The stream fails to connect after login: The launch request does not guarantee that the network, stream key, service, or scene source is ready. Try a logon delay, then confirm the stream is live at the destination.
- A task works when run manually but not after reboot: Confirm the trigger is for the Windows account that runs OBS, then test by signing in as that account. A task configured for a different session may not launch the visible desktop application you expect.
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