> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://kwcsec.gitbook.io/the-red-team-handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://kwcsec.gitbook.io/the-red-team-handbook/techniques/persistence/admin-level/appinit-dlls.md). # AppInit Dlls These DLLs are loaded at process creation, and lives in the registry key at: HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\\ Note that we need to set 2 registry keys, one to enable AppInit DLLs, and one registry key pointing to our persistence DLL. ``` HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\LoadAppInit_DLLs - 0x1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\LoadAppInit_DLLs - 0x1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WindowsAppInit_DLLs HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\AppInit_DLLs ``` Note that this will only persist on executables that have user32.dll loaded since they implement loading AppInit Dlls from registry. Also note that you have many payloads running at once which is very noisy. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://kwcsec.gitbook.io/the-red-team-handbook/techniques/persistence/admin-level/appinit-dlls.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.