azure-docs/articles/devtest-labs/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm.yml at fe3d7e1aa0f8e37f19985ebfb10de416abdca504 · MicrosoftDocs/azure-docs · GitHub

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### YamlMime:HowTo
---
metadata:
  title: Configure autostart settings for a VM
  description: Learn how to configure autostart settings for VMs in a lab. This setting allows VMs in the lab to be started automatically on a schedule.
  author: RoseHJM
  ms.author: rosemalcolm
  ms.date: 07/11/2025
  ms.topic: how-to
  ms.custom:
    - sfi-image-nochange
    - ge-structured-content-pilot
    - UpdateFrequency2
  #customer intent: As a developer, I want to configure autostart settings for VMs so that VMs start automatically according to a schedule.

title: |
  Automatically start lab VMs with autostart in Azure DevTest Labs
introduction: |
  This article shows how to configure and apply an autostart policy for Azure DevTest Labs virtual machines (VMs). Autostart automatically starts up lab VMs at specified times and days.

  To implement autostart, you first configure an autostart policy for the lab. You can then enable the policy for individual lab VMs. Requiring individual VMs to enable autostart helps prevent unnecessary startups that could increase costs.

  You can also configure autoshutdown policies for lab VMs. For more information, see [Configure autoshutdown for lab VMs in DevTest Labs](devtest-lab-auto-shutdown.md).

procedureSection:
  - title: |
      Configure autostart for the lab
    summary: |
      To configure an autostart policy for a lab, complete these steps. After you configure the policy, [enable autostart](#add-vms-to-the-autostart-schedule) for each VM that you want to start automatically.
    steps:
      - |
        On your lab **Overview** page, select **Configuration and policies** under **Settings** in the left navigation.

        :::image type="content" source="./media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/configuration-policies-menu.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows selecting Configuration and policies in the left navigation menu." lightbox="./media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/configuration-policies-menu.png":::
      - |
        On the **Configuration and policies** page, select **Auto-start** under **Schedules** in the left navigation.
      - |
        Select **Yes** for **Allow auto-start**.

        :::image type="content" source="./media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/portal-lab-auto-start.png" alt-text="Screenshot of Auto-start option under Schedules." lightbox="./media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/portal-lab-auto-start.png":::
      - |
        Enter a **Scheduled start** time, select a **Time zone**, and select the checkboxes next to the **Days of the week** that you want to add to the schedule.
      - |
        Select **Save**.

        :::image type="content" source="./media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/auto-start-configuration.png" alt-text="Screenshot of autostart schedule settings.":::

  - title: |
      Add VMs to the autostart schedule
    summary: |
      After you configure the autostart policy, complete these steps for each VM that you want to start automatically.
    steps:
      - |
        On your lab **Overview** page, select the VM under **My virtual machines**.

        :::image type="content" source="./media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/select-vm.png" alt-text="Screenshot of selecting a VM from the list under My virtual machines." lightbox="./media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/select-vm.png":::
      - |
        On the VM's **Overview** page, select **Auto-start** under **Operations** in the left navigation.
      - |
        On the **Auto-start** page, select **Yes** for **Allow this virtual machine to be scheduled for automatic start**, and then select **Save**.

        :::image type="content" source="./media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/select-auto-start.png" alt-text="Screenshot of selecting Yes on the Auto-start page.":::
      - |
        On the VM Overview page, your VM shows **Opted-in** status for autostart.

        :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/vm-overview-auto-start.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing a VM with opted-in status for autostart checked." lightbox="media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/vm-overview-auto-start.png":::

        You can also see the autostart status for the VM on the lab Overview page.

        :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/lab-overview-auto-start-status.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing the lab overview page, with VM auto-start set to Yes." lightbox="media/devtest-lab-auto-startup-vm/lab-overview-auto-start-status.png":::

relatedContent:
  - text: Configure autoshutdown for lab VMs in DevTest Labs
    url: devtest-lab-auto-shutdown.md
  - text: Use command lines to start and stop DevTest Labs VMs
    url: use-command-line-start-stop-virtual-machines.md