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Summary: Sequence of Actions at Start Up

The order of operations performed (in `startup.el') by Emacs when it is started up is as follows:

1. It runs the normal hook before-init-hook.

2. It loads `startup.el', unless the option `-no-site-file' was specified.

3. It loads `.emacs' unless `-q' was specified on command line. (This is not done in `-batch' mode.) `.emacs' is found in the user's home directory; the `-u' option can specify the user name whose home directory should be used.

4. It loads `default.el' unless inhibit-default-init is non-nil. (This is not done in `-batch' mode or if `-q' was specified on command line.)

5. It runs the normal hook after-init-hook.

6. It loads the terminal-specific Lisp file, if any, except when in batch mode.

7. It runs term-setup-hook.

8. It runs window-setup-hook. See section Window Systems.

9. It displays copyleft and nonwarranty, plus basic use information, unless the value of the variable inhibit-startup-message is non-nil.

   This display is also inhibited in batch mode, and if the current buffer is not `*scratch*'.

10. It processes any remaining command line arguments.

User Option: inhibit-startup-message

This variable inhibits the initial startup messages (the nonwarranty, etc.). If it is non-nil, then the messages are not printed.

This variable exists so you can set it in your personal init file, once you are familiar with the contents of the startup message. Do not set this variable in the init file of a new user, or in a way that affects more than one user, because that would prevent new users from receiving the information they are supposed to see.

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