diff --git a/update.py b/update.py
index 3171147..2ca2e79 100644
--- a/update.py
+++ b/update.py
@@ -37,10 +37,15 @@ def run(cmd, **kw):
 
 
 def ps(script):
-    """Run a PowerShell snippet, return (rc, stdout)."""
+    """Run a PowerShell snippet, return (rc, stdout+stderr)."""
     r = subprocess.run(["powershell", "-NoProfile", "-ExecutionPolicy", "Bypass",
                         "-Command", script], cwd=HERE, capture_output=True, text=True)
-    return r.returncode, (r.stdout or "").strip()
+    return r.returncode, ((r.stdout or "") + (r.stderr or "")).strip()
+
+
+def pythonw():
+    p = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(sys.executable), "pythonw.exe")
+    return p if os.path.exists(p) else "pythonw.exe"
 
 
 def ensure_config():
@@ -116,38 +121,44 @@ def start_watchers(cfg_path):
               "     (drag a box around the Ore Hold fill bar; saved forever after.)")
 
 
-def ensure_task():
-    """Register a daily + at-logon Scheduled Task so this runs itself forever.
-    Idempotent: only creates it if missing."""
+def ensure_logon_autostart():
+    """Drop a launcher in the Startup folder so this runs at every logon.
+    No admin needed — most reliable auto-start mechanism on Windows."""
+    if not WIN:
+        return False
+    rc, startup = ps("[Environment]::GetFolderPath('Startup')")
+    startup = startup.strip()
+    if rc != 0 or not startup or not os.path.isdir(startup):
+        print("! couldn't find Startup folder for logon auto-start")
+        return False
+    launcher = os.path.join(startup, "EveWatcher.cmd")
+    body = ('@echo off\r\n'
+            f'start "" "{pythonw()}" "{os.path.join(HERE, "update.py")}"\r\n')
+    with open(launcher, "w", newline="") as f:
+        f.write(body)
+    print(f"• logon auto-start installed: {launcher}")
+    return True
+
+
+def ensure_daily_task():
+    """Best-effort daily Scheduled Task (covers PCs left on for days). Uses
+    schtasks (works for the current user without admin). Idempotent."""
     if not WIN:
         return
-    rc, _ = ps(f"Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName '{TASK}' -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue")
-    if rc == 0:
-        print(f"• Scheduled Task '{TASK}' already set (auto-update at logon + daily).")
+    q = subprocess.run(["schtasks", "/query", "/tn", TASK],
+                       capture_output=True, text=True)
+    if q.returncode == 0:
+        print(f"• daily task '{TASK}' already set.")
         return
-    pyw = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(sys.executable), "pythonw.exe")
-    if not os.path.exists(pyw):
-        pyw = "pythonw.exe"
-    here = HERE.replace("'", "''")
-    pyw_e = pyw.replace("'", "''")
-    snippet = (
-        f"$a = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute '{pyw_e}' "
-        f"-Argument '\"{here}\\update.py\"' -WorkingDirectory '{here}';"
-        "$t1 = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -AtLogOn;"
-        "$t2 = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -Daily -At 5am;"
-        "$s = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -StartWhenAvailable "
-        "-AllowStartIfOnBatteries -DontStopIfGoingOnBatteries "
-        "-ExecutionTimeLimit (New-TimeSpan -Hours 1);"
-        "$p = New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal -UserId $env:USERNAME "
-        "-LogonType Interactive -RunLevel Limited;"
-        f"Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName '{TASK}' -Action $a -Trigger $t1,$t2 "
-        "-Settings $s -Principal $p -Force | Out-Null")
-    rc, out = ps(snippet)
-    if rc == 0:
-        print(f"• Scheduled Task '{TASK}' created — auto-updates at logon + daily 5am. "
-              "You never have to run this again.")
+    tr = f'"{pythonw()}" "{os.path.join(HERE, "update.py")}"'
+    c = subprocess.run(["schtasks", "/create", "/tn", TASK, "/tr", tr,
+                        "/sc", "DAILY", "/st", "05:00", "/f"],
+                       capture_output=True, text=True)
+    if c.returncode == 0:
+        print(f"• daily auto-update task '{TASK}' created (05:00).")
     else:
-        print(f"! couldn't register Scheduled Task: {out}")
+        print(f"• daily task not created ({(c.stdout + c.stderr).strip() or 'unknown'});"
+              " logon auto-start still covers updates.")
 
 
 def main():
@@ -160,7 +171,8 @@ def main():
         start_watchers(cfg)
     else:
         print("• up to date and watchers already running — nothing to restart.")
-    ensure_task()
+    ensure_logon_autostart()
+    ensure_daily_task()
     print("\nDone. Hands-off from here: it updates + keeps itself running automatically.")