I don't think, that it is possible to select before starting the radarbox software,
Why Not? I would have thought that adding another "button" to the "Welcome" box would be easy enough.
At the moment there are 4 buttons: Start, Account, Cancel and Start Demo.
Change the Start button to "Start with Auto-Update" and add another "Start without Auto-Update"
Seems, that we have a different opinion about before starting. In my oppinion the software is already running if it is comming to the "welcome" box. For you software is running, if Box is already receiving airframes. Ok, this misunderstanding is settled.
But I've to tell you, that I've totally disagree with the way you are proposing.
1. I'm using an option to avoid this box. That way the log-in is performed automatically. Only first start after installation is with welcome box. I don't like the idea to go back to the state were I have to click buttons to get the software to receiving state.
2. I want to have the option to select the section of database that is set to auto-update mode. Airframes yes, Routes No for examples. With your proposal it's only yes or no for whole Database.
3. I don't want to make this decision on each start, but more or less once for all at first start-up.
May be it is the best that on first start-up auto-update is set to off.
And a possibilty to switch on the auto-update function for each section is implemented whether in section preferences or directly at navdatabase editor. First time autoupdate is selected, the Y is added to all entries except the ones were a N was added before autoupdate was ticked first time.
I guess we will not get the perfect way for everyone.